Player Safety
Responsible Gambling
Important
Gambling should be entertainment, not a way to make money. The house edge means that, over time, the majority of players lose money. If gambling is affecting your finances, relationships or mental health, please seek help. GamCare helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Setting limits before you play
All UKGC-licensed operators must offer deposit limits, loss limits, wager limits and session time limits. These are available in your account settings and take effect immediately when set to a lower level (operators cannot delay a reduction).
Setting these limits before you deposit — rather than after you've started playing — is far more effective. Decide your budget in advance, set a limit that matches it, and treat that limit as fixed rather than adjustable in the moment.
Reality checks and session timers
UK-licensed operators must offer session reminders — pop-ups that tell you how long you've been playing and how much you've spent in the session. They must be offered and can't be permanently disabled. If you find yourself dismissing these without reading them, that's worth noticing.
Self-exclusion: GamStop
GamStop is the UK's national self-exclusion scheme. Registering with GamStop excludes you from all UKGC-licensed operators simultaneously — you don't need to contact each one individually. Exclusion periods are 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years.
Once set, a GamStop exclusion cannot be reversed early. This is deliberate — it makes the commitment meaningful. If you think you need to take a break, GamStop is the most effective single tool available to UK players.
Free support organisations
- ◆GambleAware
Practical tools, self-assessment, and signposting to treatment services.
- ◆GamCare
Counselling, a 24/7 free helpline (0808 8020 133), and an online chat service.
- ◆Gamblers Anonymous UK
Peer-support group meetings across the UK, free to attend.
- ◆National Debt Line
Free debt advice, including situations where gambling is a contributing factor.