Gambling is entertainment that costs money. It is not a way to earn money, to fix money worries or to get away from a bad day, and the odds do not change however long you play. The cost of the entertainment is whatever you can comfortably spend and no more.
If gambling has stopped feeling like entertainment, help is free and confidential. The services listed above, including GamCare and its National Gambling Helpline, are there for you, and you do not need to be in crisis to contact them.
Warning signs
Gambling may be becoming a problem if you recognise some of these:
- spending more money or time than you planned
- thinking about gambling much of the day
- chasing losses by playing again to get money back
- borrowing money or using money meant for bills
- hiding how much you gamble from people close to you
- feeling irritable, anxious or low when you are not playing
Recognising one or two of these does not mean you have done something wrong, and it is a good moment to act. Stop and take a break, then talk to someone. That could be a friend, a family member or a trained adviser at GamCare. Tools such as the ones below can put distance between you and the next bet while you decide what to do.
Tools that help
Every UK-licensed operator must offer deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion, and most also provide reality checks that show how long you have been playing. Deposit limits cap how much you can pay in over a day, a week or a month. A time-out closes your account for a short, chosen period. Self-exclusion closes it for a much longer one. Set these when you open an account rather than after a bad session.
GAMSTOP is a free service that covers all UK-licensed online gambling sites at once. Once you register, those operators must stop you from opening or using an account for the period you choose.
Outside the casino, you can also block gambling at your bank. Many UK banks let you switch off gambling payments in their banking app. Blocking software can stop gambling sites and apps on your phone, tablet and computer.
None of these tools solves everything by itself. They work best alongside talking to someone. GamCare can help you decide which combination fits.
If someone close to you is affected
Choose a calm moment to raise it, and start from what you have noticed and how it affects you, not from blame. Listen more than you advise. Gambling problems are common, and people often feel ashamed, so a patient conversation does more than an ultimatum.
Support services help family members and friends as well as the person gambling. GamCare's services are open to you, and you can ask for advice even if the person you are worried about is not ready to talk. You can also read more on our about page or get in touch via the contact page.