Safer gambling
Gambling should be fun and affordable. If it stops being either, help is free, confidential and available now.
Our position
GamCasual is for adults aged 18 or over. We do not present gambling as a way to make money, we do not use "risk free", "guaranteed" or "easy money" language, and we show 18+ and support links on every page. Reviewing a casino is not a recommendation to gamble.
Warning signs
- Gambling with money you need for bills, rent or food.
- Betting more than you planned, or for longer than you planned.
- Chasing losses with bigger or more frequent bets.
- Borrowing, selling things or using credit to gamble.
- Hiding gambling or lying about it.
- Feeling anxious, irritable or low when you are not gambling, or after you have.
- Gambling affecting work, study or relationships.
Before you play
- Set a budget you can afford to lose and put it in as a deposit limit with the operator.
- Set a time limit or use reality checks.
- Treat bonuses as optional. A bonus adds conditions and does not improve your chances. Never deposit more because of an offer.
- Do not gamble when upset, stressed, tired or after alcohol.
- Keep it separate from rent, bills and savings.
Tools every UK-licensed casino must offer
- Deposit limits (daily, weekly, monthly).
- Time-outs and breaks.
- Reality checks showing time and money spent.
- Account history and statements.
- Self-exclusion, including through GAMSTOP.
Look for these in the account settings of any site you use. The Gambling Commission requires licensed operators to make safer-gambling tools available and to take part in GAMSTOP.
Self-exclusion and blocking
- GAMSTOP: free, covers all online operators licensed in Great Britain, for six months, one year or five years.
- Blocking apps for your phone, tablet and computer, and bank tools that block gambling transactions.
- For venues, ask about venue self-exclusion schemes.
Read our GAMSTOP guide.
Where to get help
| Organisation | What they offer |
|---|---|
| National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133 | Free, confidential support, 24 hours a day, run by GamCare. |
| GamCare | Advice, live chat and support groups. |
| BeGambleAware | Information, self-assessment and links to treatment. |
| GambleAware | Charity that commissions prevention and treatment. |
| Gordon Moody | Residential treatment and support for gambling harm. |
| GAMSTOP | Free self-exclusion from online gambling. |
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, contact your GP, call NHS 111, or in an emergency call 999. Samaritans are available on 116 123.
Worried about someone else?
Talk to them without blame, offer to go with them to get support, and help them use blocking tools. The helpline also supports family and friends.
Under 18?
You must be 18 or over to gamble. If you share a device with a young person, use parental controls and keep payment cards and passwords private.
Complaints about an operator
Complain to the operator first. If it does not resolve the matter, you can use the alternative dispute resolution service named in its terms. The Gambling Commission does not resolve individual disputes but wants to hear about operators that are acting unfairly or without a licence.
Frequently asked questions
What is the National Gambling Helpline number?
The National Gambling Helpline is 0808 8020 133. It is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How do I stop gambling online in the UK?
Register with GAMSTOP to exclude yourself from all online gambling operators licensed in Great Britain for six months, one year or five years. Combine it with blocking software and support.
Can under-18s gamble?
No. You must be 18 or over to gamble online in the UK. Operators must verify age before you can deposit or play.