Responsible gambling
Gambling can be addictive. It should only ever be a paid-for form of entertainment, for adults, where it is legal. If it stops being that for you or someone close to you, free and confidential help is available.
Where to get help
These organisations are independent of gambling operators and of Signup Here. Their support is free and confidential.
- Great Britain
GamCare
Runs the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, free and open 24 hours a day, with live chat on its website. Advisers support people who gamble and their families and can refer to treatment.
- Great Britain
BeGambleAware / GambleAware
Information, self-assessment tools and a route into free support and treatment services for residents of Great Britain, available around the clock by phone or online chat.
- United States
National Council on Problem Gambling
The National Problem Gambling Helpline, 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), is free, confidential and available 24/7. It connects callers with help in their state.
- Worldwide
Gambling Therapy
Free online advice and emotional support from the UK charity Gordon Moody, with content and forums in many languages for anyone affected by gambling, wherever they live.
- Worldwide
Gamblers Anonymous
A fellowship of people who share their experience to stop gambling, with meetings in many countries. The UK fellowship has its own site at gamblersanonymous.org.uk.
- Germany
check-dein-spiel.de
Information, self-tests and free, anonymous online counselling in German, run by the federal public health institute BIÖG (formerly BZgA). Telephone counselling: 0800 1 37 27 00.
If you are in crisis or worried about your safety, contact your local emergency services. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be reached free on 116 123 at any time.
Warning signs
Problem gambling often builds slowly. It may be time to step back and talk to someone if you notice that you:
- spend more money or time on gambling than you planned, or find it hard to stop;
- try to win back losses by gambling more ("chasing");
- borrow money, sell things or miss bills because of gambling;
- hide your gambling from people close to you, or feel guilty about it;
- gamble to escape stress, boredom or low mood;
- feel restless or irritable when you try to cut down.
Habits that keep gambling in check
- Set a budget you can afford to lose before you start, and treat it as the cost of entertainment.
- Set a time limit and take regular breaks.
- Never chase losses, and never gamble with money meant for rent, bills or debts.
- Avoid gambling when you are upset, under pressure or have been drinking.
- Remember that bonuses come with conditions, and that gambling is not a way to make money.
Tools at licensed operators
Most operators licensed by strict regulators let you set deposit limits, loss limits and session reminders, take a time-out for a set period or exclude yourself completely, usually from the account settings. Lowering a limit normally applies straight away; raising one usually comes with a waiting period. Offshore-licensed sites often offer fewer of these tools, which is one reason we score them lower.
National self-exclusion schemes
Several countries run free schemes that block you from all licensed operators at once:
- GAMSTOP for online gambling licensed in Great Britain;
- Spelpaus.se in Sweden;
- BetStop, the national self-exclusion register in Australia.
Many other regulated markets have similar registers; your regulator's website explains how they work where you live.
Blocking software and bank controls
Apps such as BetBlocker (free, run by a charity) and Gamban (paid) block gambling sites and apps on your devices, including sites that are not covered by self-exclusion schemes. Many banks also let you block gambling transactions on your card from their app.
Protecting children
Gambling is for adults only. Licensed operators must verify customers' age and identity. If children use your devices, use parental controls, keep account details and payment cards private and log out of gambling apps.