Responsible Gambling: Play Safely and Stay in Control

Gambling should always be an entertaining pastime, never a financial solution or way to escape life’s problems. At our platform, we are committed to promoting responsible gambling practices and providing you with the tools, resources, and information needed to enjoy gaming safely. Whether you are a casual player or a regular visitor, understanding the risks and knowing how to maintain control is essential for your wellbeing and enjoyment.

Understanding Problem Gambling

Problem gambling, also known as gambling disorder, is a serious condition that affects individuals across all age groups and backgrounds. It occurs when someone loses control over their gambling activities, continues to gamble despite negative consequences, and experiences distress or impairment in their personal, social, or professional life. Unlike occasional recreational gambling, problem gambling is characterised by an inability to stop, escalating stakes, and the use of gambling as a primary coping mechanism for stress or emotional pain.

The impact of problem gambling extends beyond financial losses. It can lead to anxiety, depression, strained relationships, employment difficulties, and in severe cases, bankruptcy or legal issues. Recognising that gambling disorder is a recognised mental health condition is crucial; it is not a moral failing or a lack of willpower, but rather a genuine condition that requires professional support and intervention. Understanding this distinction is the first step towards self-awareness and seeking help when needed.

Recognising the Warning Signs

Being able to identify early warning signs of problematic gambling behaviour in yourself or someone you care about is vital for intervention and prevention. These signs often develop gradually, and what starts as harmless entertainment can slowly transform into a compulsive behaviour. It is important to be honest with yourself and assess your gambling habits regularly.

Common warning signs of problem gambling include:

Spending more time and money on gambling than intended
Constantly thinking about gambling or past gambling experiences
Needing to gamble with larger amounts to achieve the same level of excitement
Feeling restless or irritable when trying to reduce or stop gambling
Using gambling as an escape from problems, stress, anxiety, or sadness
Lying to family, friends, or professionals about the extent of gambling involvement
Chasing losses by returning to gamble again to recover money
Neglecting personal relationships, work, or education due to gambling
Experiencing financial difficulties or borrowing money to gamble
Failed attempts to control, cut back, or stop gambling activities
Experiencing guilt, shame, or anxiety related to gambling
Using gambling to cope with difficult emotions or life events

Tools for Self-Control and Safer Gambling

We provide a comprehensive suite of tools designed to help you maintain control over your gambling activities. These tools empower you to set personalised limits and monitor your behaviour, ensuring that gambling remains an enjoyable and affordable form of entertainment rather than becoming a source of financial or emotional distress.

Effective self-control tools available on our platform include:

Deposit Limits: Set a maximum amount of money you are willing to deposit within a specific timeframe, whether daily, weekly, or monthly
Loss Limits: Establish a ceiling on the total amount you are prepared to lose within a given period
Time Limits: Restrict the duration of your gaming sessions to prevent excessive play
Session Reality Checks: Receive periodic reminders during gameplay about the time elapsed and money spent
Spending Tracker: Review detailed records of your deposits, withdrawals, and gaming activity
Stake Limits: Control the maximum bet amount per spin or round to reduce exposure
Cool-Off Periods: Take temporary breaks from gambling lasting days or weeks whilst maintaining your account access

To use these tools effectively, we recommend setting limits that align with your financial situation and entertainment budget. Your limits should be based on disposable income—money you can afford to lose without impacting your essential expenses, savings, or financial obligations. Review and adjust your limits regularly as circumstances change, and use the spending tracker to ensure you are staying within your self-imposed boundaries.

Self-Exclusion and Timeout Options

Self-exclusion is a powerful tool for players who feel they need a more permanent break from gambling or who recognise that they are developing problematic habits. Unlike temporary cool-off periods, self-exclusion is a binding agreement where you voluntarily exclude yourself from accessing our platform for a specified duration, typically ranging from six months to several years, or even permanently.

When you self-exclude, your account is suspended, and you cannot access our services, deposit funds, or place bets. This measure is designed to provide you with a complete break and remove the temptation to gamble. Self-exclusion is treated with utmost confidentiality, and your personal information will not be used for marketing purposes during the exclusion period.

In addition to self-exclusion on our platform, we encourage you to consider multi-operator self-exclusion schemes such as GamStop. GamStop is a national self-exclusion scheme in Great Britain that allows you to exclude yourself from all online gambling operators licensed in Britain simultaneously. This single action provides comprehensive protection across the entire industry.

The process of requesting self-exclusion or a timeout is straightforward and accessible from your account settings. When initiating self-exclusion, you will be asked to confirm your request and may be offered the option to speak with a support representative before the exclusion becomes effective. This ensures that you are making an informed decision and are aware of all available resources and alternatives.

Support Resources and Helplines

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, numerous organisations across the United Kingdom provide free, confidential support and professional assistance. These organisations offer counselling, advice, and helplines staffed by trained professionals who understand gambling disorder and can provide compassionate, judgment-free support.

Key support organisations available in Great Britain include:

GamCare: Offering free and confidential support to anyone affected by problem gambling, including counselling services, support groups, and a national helpline available 24/7 at 0808 8020 133
Gamblers Anonymous: A peer-support organisation providing free meetings and support groups for individuals struggling with gambling compulsion, following a twelve-step recovery programme
BeGambleAware: Providing information, guidance, and resources to help people make informed decisions about gambling and understand the risks involved
The National Problem Gambling Clinic: Offering specialist assessment and treatment for problem gambling through the NHS, available by referral
Samaritans: Providing emotional support for anyone in distress, including those struggling with gambling-related anxiety or suicidal thoughts, available 24/7 at 116 123
Citizen’s Advice: Offering free advice on managing debt and financial difficulties that may result from problem gambling
MIND: Providing support for mental health issues, including anxiety and depression often associated with problem gambling

These organisations are independent of our platform and operate with your best interests in mind. Reaching out to any of these services is a sign of strength, not weakness, and represents a positive step towards recovery and reclaiming control of your life. Many services are available outside standard business hours to ensure you can access help when you need it most.

Protecting Young People and Parental Guidance

Online gambling must only be accessed by individuals aged eighteen years or older. We have strict age verification procedures in place to prevent minors from opening accounts and accessing gambling services. Parents and guardians play a crucial role in educating young people about the risks of gambling and monitoring their online activities to prevent underage gambling.

Parents can take several practical steps to protect young people from gambling-related harms:

Have open conversations with young people about gambling, explaining the risks and house edge in simple terms
Set parental controls on devices to restrict access to gambling websites and apps
Monitor online activities and screen time to ensure young people are not accessing gambling platforms
Educate young people about the difference between gambling and games of chance, and explain why gambling is not a reliable way to earn money
Model responsible behaviour by demonstrating healthy attitudes towards money and entertainment
Be aware of social gambling and peer pressure amongst young people, particularly regarding sports betting and casino games
Report any underage gambling activity to the relevant authorities or our support team immediately
Teach young people about probability and risk to help them develop critical thinking about gambling odds
Encourage alternative hobbies and activities that provide entertainment and social connection without gambling
Seek professional advice if you suspect a young person in your care is developing gambling-related problems

Young people who may be gambling underage can speak confidentially to GamCare or Gamblers Anonymous without fear of judgment, and these organisations can provide specific support for adolescents and young adults navigating gambling-related issues. Family therapy and support services are also available to help families address gambling-related problems together.

Responsible Gambling Best Practices

Beyond using the tools and resources available, adopting responsible gambling practices in your daily approach to gaming can significantly reduce risks and enhance your enjoyment. Responsible gambling is not about never playing; it is about playing smartly and maintaining perspective on the role gambling plays in your life.

Essential best practices for responsible gambling include:

Treat gambling as entertainment with a cost, similar to cinema tickets or dining out, rather than as a financial investment
Set a budget for gambling based on discretionary income you can afford to lose completely
Never gamble with money needed for essential expenses such as rent, utilities, food, or debt repayment
Avoid chasing losses by attempting to win back money you have lost through further gambling
Take regular breaks and do not let gambling dominate your free time or interfere with work, relationships, or other responsibilities
Avoid gambling when you are stressed, emotional, or using it as a coping mechanism
Be aware of near-misses and false beliefs about patterns or luck, which can encourage continued play
Never borrow money to gamble, including using credit cards, loans, or funds from friends and family
Keep gambling separate from other activities and do not multitask whilst gambling
Review your gambling activity regularly and honestly assess whether it remains enjoyable and controlled

Last updated: January 22, 2026