Gambling responsibly: limits, warning signs and where to get help

Our position

Gambling is a form of entertainment that costs money. It is not a way to earn an income, pay off debts or solve problems. Trusted Play Guide provides information about licensed operators so that adults can make informed choices. We never encourage anyone to start gambling or to gamble more.

Age restrictions

Most forms of gambling in Great Britain, including all online betting and casino products offered by licensed operators, are restricted to adults aged 18 and over. Licensed operators must verify customers’ age and identity. If you are a parent or carer, filtering tools on devices and home broadband can help keep gambling sites away from children.

Signs that gambling may be causing harm

• spending more money or time on gambling than you intended;
• chasing losses, or gambling to win back money;
• borrowing money, selling possessions or missing bills in order to gamble;
• hiding your gambling from family or friends;
• feeling anxious, irritable or low when you are not gambling;
• gambling getting in the way of work, study or relationships;
• thinking about gambling most of the time.

If any of these feel familiar, support is free and confidential. You do not need to wait for things to get worse before you ask for help.

Self-limitation tools

• Deposit limits: cap how much you can deposit each day, week or month in your operator account.
• Time-outs: take a short break from an account, from a day to several weeks.
• Reality checks: on-screen reminders of how long you have been playing.
• Bank gambling blocks: many UK banks and card providers let you block gambling transactions in their app.
• Blocking software: tools that stop gambling websites and apps from loading on your devices.

The Gambling Commission explains the tools available in its safer gambling guidance (opens in a new tab).

Self-exclusion

GAMSTOP is a free self-exclusion scheme. When you register, you are excluded from online gambling websites and apps run by businesses licensed in Great Britain for the period you choose. Visit gamstop.co.uk (opens in a new tab).

You can also ask any individual operator to self-exclude you. For gambling premises such as betting shops, bingo halls and casinos, ask the venue about multi-operator self-exclusion schemes, or see the Commission’s safer gambling guidance.

Where to get help

• National Gambling Helpline (GamCare): 0808 8020 133 · gamcare.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
• Gamblers Anonymous UK: peer support meetings · gamblersanonymous.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
• Gambling Therapy: free online support, provided by the charity Gordon Moody · gamblingtherapy.org (opens in a new tab)
• NHS: information on NHS gambling clinics in England · nhs.uk (opens in a new tab)
• GamAnon: support for family members and friends · gamanon.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
• National Debtline: free debt advice · nationaldebtline.org (opens in a new tab)
• Citizens Advice: help with money, debt and other problems · citizensadvice.org.uk (opens in a new tab)

Official information

For licence checks, safer gambling guidance and complaints about licensed businesses, use the Gambling Commission website (opens in a new tab). Trusted Play Guide is not affiliated with the Gambling Commission.