Available in GBLearn how to spot changes in time, spending and behaviour, set account limits, understand UK rules and check an operator; one sign can be reason to pause.
Gambling is not a way to earn money or a solution to money problems. The outcome is uncertain, and losses can add to financial pressure. If gambling is affecting your finances, relationships or daily life, take practical steps before placing another bet.
Signs that gambling may be becoming a problem
Look for changes you can observe, rather than waiting for a particular label. These can include:
- spending more time or money gambling than you intended;
- trying to win back losses, or increasing stakes after losing;
- borrowing money, using savings meant for bills, or delaying payments to gamble;
- hiding gambling or its cost from people close to you;
- feeling restless or irritable when you try to stop;
- gambling when you had planned to work, sleep or spend time with other people;
- repeatedly setting limits and then changing or ignoring them.
One sign may be enough reason to pause and act. You do not need to wait until debts or other consequences have become severe.
Steps you can take now
If you are signed in to a gambling account, open its responsible gambling or account settings. Set a deposit or other financial limit, or lower an existing limit. Remote operators must prompt new customers to set a financial limit before their first deposit and provide accessible account-level limit controls.
If a limit will not be enough, use the operator’s self-exclusion tool. UKGC-licensed casinos must offer responsible gambling tools, including self-exclusion. Check what the operator says the exclusion covers and when it takes effect. Do not open another account to get around it.
You can also contact the operator through the support options in your account and ask how to activate self-exclusion or restrict access. UKGC licensees must offer an internal complaints process and access to an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service. ADR is an independent process for resolving certain disputes after the operator’s own complaints process; it is not a substitute for help with gambling-related harm.
If you cannot find these settings, stop using the account and ask the operator how to access them. Do not deposit more while you are trying to put a restriction in place.
What UK rules do—and do not—do
Operators must verify a customer’s age before allowing them to deposit funds into a gambling account. The legal age threshold applies; age checks are not a safeguard against gambling harm.
Remote operators cannot accept credit-card payments for gambling, including credit-card funding routed through a money service business. They also cannot accept wallet payments where the wallet allows credit-card funds to be used for gambling. UK-licensed casinos cannot accept credit cards for gambling. These restrictions do not prevent someone from losing money through other payment methods.
Online slot autoplay is banned in Britain, and a slot spin must last at least 2.5 seconds. For an online slots game, the total amount an individual may stake in a game cycle cannot exceed £2 if they are under 25, or £5 if they are 25 or older. At least 2.5 seconds must elapse from the start of one game cycle before the next can begin. These rules limit certain features and stakes; they do not make gambling safe or profitable.
Checking an operator
If you use a gambling website or app, look for its licence details and the link to its public register licence information. Remote operators must show these on their websites and apps. A licence does not mean that gambling is suitable for you, or that you will win.
No help organisation, address or phone number has been verified for this page, so none is listed. For an immediate step, use the account controls described above or contact the operator through its own support channel to request self-exclusion. If you have an unresolved complaint, follow the operator’s complaints process and ask it how to access its approved ADR service.