Responsible Gaming

Gambling should always be a form of entertainment, not a way to earn money, pay off debts or escape from personal problems. Never gamble more than you can comfortably afford to lose, and never chase losses in the hope of winning back money.

Age Verification

In Great Britain, the legal age to gamble is 18 or over. Licensed betting sites are required by law to verify your age and identity before you can deposit, play or withdraw. If you are under 18, do not attempt to register or gamble. Age verification protects you and the operator.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

You may be developing a problem if you recognise any of the following in yourself or someone close to you:

• Chasing losses — returning to gamble to try to win back money you have lost
• Hiding gambling activity from family, friends or colleagues
• Spending more time or money on gambling than you intended
• Neglecting work, study, relationships or responsibilities because of gambling
• Borrowing money, selling possessions or using essential funds to gamble
• Lying about how much you gamble or how much you have lost
• Feeling anxious, guilty, irritable or restless when trying to cut down or stop
• Being unable to stop or control gambling even when you want to
• Using gambling as a way to cope with stress, anxiety or depression

Self-Help Tools

Licensed betting sites in Great Britain must offer practical tools to help you stay in control. Use these tools whenever you feel your gambling is becoming more than entertainment:

• Deposit limits — set a maximum amount you can deposit per day, week or month
• Loss limits — cap the amount you are willing to lose over a set period
• Reality checks — receive reminders of how long you have been playing
• Time-outs — take a short break from your account for 24 hours up to several weeks
• Self-exclusion — block yourself from gambling for a longer period, typically six months to five years
• Account closure — permanently close your account if you decide to stop

Support Organisations

If you need free, confidential advice or support, contact the appropriate organisation for your country:

• United Kingdom: GamCare — www.gamcare.org.uk | GamStop — www.gamstop.co.uk
• Australia: Gambling Help Online — www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
• Canada: Responsible Gambling Council — www.responsiblegambling.org
• United States: National Council on Problem Gambling — www.ncpgambling.org
• Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) — www.bzga.de
• Other countries: Please contact your local national responsible gambling helpline or organisation. Most countries provide free, confidential support services.

Seek Help

If you recognise any warning signs in yourself or someone you care about, please seek help today. In the UK, you can call the GamCare National Gambling Helpline free on 0808 8020 133 (available 24/7). Self-exclusion via GamStop is free, independent and takes only a few minutes to set up. Remember: reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. Help is available, and recovery is possible.