Responsible gambling

Responsible gambling basics

Responsible gambling comes down to a few habits. Decide how much you can afford to lose before you start, and treat that money as spent, like a cinema ticket. Decide how long you will play. Never chase losses by depositing again to win back what you have lost, because the odds do not change and the losses grow. Do not gamble when you are upset, stressed, tired or have been drinking. And never borrow to gamble. Credit cards have been banned for gambling in Great Britain since April 2020 for exactly this reason.

It also helps to remember how casino games work. Every slot and table game has a built-in house edge, so over time the casino wins. A good session is luck, not a system, and no strategy, bonus or "hot" slot changes that. Bonuses are extra play, not free money.

Safer gambling tools every UK casino must offer

A UK Gambling Commission licence comes with rules about player protection. Every licensed casino has to give you these tools, usually under a section called Safer Gambling, Responsible Gambling or Account Limits.

Deposit limits. Set a daily, weekly or monthly limit on how much you can deposit. Lowering a limit takes effect straight away. Raising it only happens after a cooling-off period, so you cannot lift a limit in the heat of the moment. Set it when you open your account, before you play.

Reality checks. A reminder that pops up after a set time to show how long you have been playing, and often how much you have won or lost. Short sessions are easier to keep in control.

Time-outs. A short break from one casino, from 24 hours up to six weeks. During a time-out you cannot log in to play, and the casino should not send you marketing.

Self-exclusion. A longer block on one casino, for six months or more. The casino must close your account for the period you choose and stop marketing to you. When it ends, your account does not reopen by itself.

Account history. Your deposits, withdrawals and play history are in your account, and you can use them to see what you really spend. Many people are surprised by the total over a month.

The rules on slots help too. In Great Britain the maximum stake on an online slot spin is £5 for players aged 25 and over, and £2 for players aged 18 to 24. See our slot stake limits guide for how that works.

GamStop: block every UK gambling site at once

A time-out or self-exclusion covers one casino. If you want a break from all of them, use GamStop. It is free and covers every online gambling site licensed in Great Britain, because all of them must take part. You choose 6 months, 1 year or 5 years, and the block cannot be cancelled early. You register once with your name, date of birth, email, address and phone number, and sites use those details to recognise you.

That is also why sites that advertise themselves as "not on GamStop" are a red flag. They are not licensed in Great Britain, and they are built to reach people who have chosen to block gambling. BritanniaBet never lists them. Our GamStop guide explains registration, what happens when the block ends, and how GamStop works alongside other blocks.

Bank gambling blocks and blocking software

Many UK banks let you block payments to gambling companies from their app, including Monzo, Starling, Revolut, Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest, HSBC and Santander. With most of them, switching the block off again takes a waiting period, which gives you time to change your mind. A bank block works well with GamStop: one stops you opening an account, the other stops the money.

Blocking software such as Gamban or BetBlocker stops gambling websites and apps loading on your phone and computer, including sites that are not licensed in the UK. It is worth adding if you are worried about offshore sites. If you are taking a break, use all three layers: GamStop, a bank block and blocking software.

Warning signs of a gambling problem

A gambling problem rarely starts all at once. These are the signs to watch for in yourself or someone close to you:

• spending more money or time than you planned, more often than not;
• chasing losses, or feeling you need to win back what you lost;
• gambling with money meant for bills, rent or food, or borrowing to gamble;
• hiding how much you gamble, or lying about it;
• feeling anxious, irritable or low when you are not gambling;
• gambling to escape stress, boredom or other problems.

If any of these sound familiar, it is a good time to stop and talk to someone. You do not need to reach a crisis point to ask for help, and the services below are free.

Free, confidential help in the UK

National Gambling Helpline. Run by GamCare, free on 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day, or by live chat at gamcare.org.uk. You can talk to an adviser about your own gambling or someone else's, and they can refer you to local treatment.

NHS gambling clinics. Specialist NHS treatment for gambling problems is available in England, and your GP or the helpline can point you to a clinic.

Gamblers Anonymous and GamAnon. Peer support groups for people who gamble, and for their families and friends.

Gordon Moody. A charity offering residential and online treatment for people most severely affected by gambling.

If gambling has left you in debt, free debt advice services such as StepChange and Citizens Advice can help you deal with lenders and make a plan.

Helping someone else

If you are worried about a partner, friend or family member, you can call the National Gambling Helpline yourself. Talk to the person at a calm moment, without blame, and focus on what you have noticed. You cannot make someone stop, but you can protect your own money, for example by keeping separate accounts, and get support for yourself from GamAnon.

Responsible gambling on BritanniaBet

We list only casinos licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, and every one of them must offer the tools on this page and take part in GamStop. Our reviews show the significant terms of every offer next to the offer, and every page carries the helpline number. Our content is for adults aged 18 and over in Great Britain. If a casino we list makes it hard to set a limit or close your account, tell us and we will look into it.

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