Responsible Gambling: Tools & Tips
Gambling should be fun. Here’s how to keep control of your time and money—and where to get help.
The starting point
Gambling is paid entertainment. The games are built so the operator profits over time, and nothing in a strategy guide changes that. Decide what you are willing to spend before you start.
Tools licensed sites offer
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Caps how much you can pay in per day, week or month |
| Loss or wager limit | Caps how much you can lose or stake in a period |
| Reality check | A pop-up showing how long you have played and what you have spent |
| Time-out | Blocks your account for a short period, from a day to a few weeks |
| Self-exclusion | Blocks your account for months or years and cannot be reversed early |
Set a deposit limit when you open an account. Lowering a limit normally takes effect at once; raising one normally has a waiting period.
Warning signs
- Spending more time or money than you planned.
- Chasing losses with bigger bets.
- Hiding gambling from people close to you.
- Borrowing, or using money meant for bills.
- Feeling anxious or irritable when you are not gambling.
If any of these apply, stop and talk to someone.
Where to get help
| Country | Service | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | National Gambling Helpline (GamCare) | 0808 8020 133 |
| Canada (Ontario) | ConnexOntario | 1-866-531-2600 |
| Australia | Gambling Help Online | 1800 858 858 |
These services are free and confidential. Outside these countries, search for your national gambling helpline or speak to your doctor.
Blocking software
Self-exclusion schemes and blocking apps can stop access across many sites at once. In the UK, GAMSTOP covers all operators licensed there. Banks in several countries also let you block gambling transactions on your card.