This page is provided by Blakesleys, an information site. Gambling should be entertainment, not a way to earn money or escape problems. When it stops being enjoyable, or when you find yourself gambling more than you intended, it is time to reassess.
Scope of this notice
The guidance below is for anyone who gambles online in the UK. It covers warning signs, self-assessment questions and practical steps you can take to stay in control. You will also find contact details for organisations that offer free, confidential support.
Behaviour that should worry you
Certain patterns suggest gambling is no longer safe. Chasing losses – trying to win back what you have lost – is one of the clearest signs. Gambling with money set aside for bills or essentials is another. Lying to friends or family about how much you spend, or how often you play, suggests the activity has become something you feel the need to hide.
Neglecting responsibilities at work or home, borrowing money to gamble, or feeling anxious when you cannot play are all reasons to pause. If gambling is affecting your sleep, your relationships or your mental health, that is a signal to take action.
Self-assessment
Ask yourself these questions honestly. There is no score and no diagnosis – they simply help you reflect on your own habits.
- Have you ever lied about how much you gamble?
- Do you gamble longer than you planned to?
- Have you used money meant for bills or essentials to gamble?
- Do you feel restless or irritable when you try to cut down?
- Have you borrowed money to gamble or to cover gambling losses?
- Has gambling caused problems in your relationships or at work?
If you answered yes to one or more, consider the tools and support detailed below.
Deposit and time controls
Gambling sites licensed by the Gambling Commission must offer players tools to manage their activity. A deposit limit lets you set a maximum amount you can add to your account over a day, week or month. Once reached, no further deposits are accepted until the period resets. Set the limit before your first deposit, when your judgement is clearest.
A time-out, sometimes called a cooling-off period, temporarily blocks access to your account. You choose the duration – it might be 24 hours, a week or longer – and during that time you cannot log in, deposit or play. It is a useful step if you feel you are gambling too often or need a break after a loss.
Self-exclusion is a longer commitment. When you self-exclude, your account is closed for a set period, often six months or more, and you cannot reopen it or create a new one with the same site during that time. GamStop (https://www.gamstop.co.uk) is a free national scheme that lets you self-exclude from all gambling sites licensed in Great Britain at once, for six months, one year or five years.
Support organisations
Several UK organisations provide free, confidential help for people affected by gambling.
GamCare (https://www.gamcare.org.uk) runs the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Calls are free and confidential.
BeGambleAware (https://www.begambleaware.org) offers information, support and treatment referrals for anyone concerned about their own gambling or that of someone close to them.
Gordon Moody (https://www.gordonmoody.org.uk) provides residential and online treatment for people with serious gambling problems.
Blocking software can prevent access to gambling sites across all your devices. Gamban (https://gamban.com) is a paid subscription service; BetBlocker (https://betblocker.org) is free and works on multiple platforms.
Taking a break
A break does not mean you have failed. It means you are taking control. Use the time-out or self-exclusion tools described above, and consider what you will do with the time and money you would have spent gambling. Write it down if that helps – a plan for the evening, a call to a friend, a walk outside.
If you share a device with a child or young person, use parental-control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio to block gambling sites. Online gambling is for people aged 18 and over.
Talking to someone you trust – a friend, family member or one of the organisations above – can make the difference between a moment of concern and lasting change. You do not have to manage this alone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set a deposit limit?
Log in to your account, go to the responsible gambling or account settings section, and choose a daily, weekly or monthly limit. The site will not accept deposits beyond that amount until the period resets.
What does self-exclusion prevent me from doing?
Self-exclusion closes your account for a set period. You cannot log in, deposit, play or open a new account with that site during the exclusion. GamStop extends this to all licensed sites in Great Britain.
How quickly can I speak to someone if I need help today?
The National Gambling Helpline is available 24/7 on 0808 8020 133. Calls are free and confidential, and you can speak to a trained adviser any time of day or night.
What is the difference between a time-out and self-exclusion?
A time-out is a short break you choose, lasting anywhere from 24 hours to a few weeks. Self-exclusion is a longer-term commitment, often six months or more, and cannot be reversed early.
Can I use GamStop if I only want to block one site?
GamStop blocks access to all gambling sites licensed in Great Britain. If you want to exclude from a single site, use that site's own self-exclusion tool instead.
How do I protect a child from gambling content on a shared device?
Install parental-control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio, which lets you block gambling sites and monitor activity. Online gambling is restricted to people aged 18 and over.