Responsible Gaming
Gambling Should Be Entertainment, Not Income
We believe that gambling should only be enjoyed as a form of entertainment, never as a way to earn money or solve financial problems. Betting sites should be used responsibly and within your means. If you find yourself gambling to make money or recover losses, it's time to seek support.
Age Verification
All UK betting sites require players to be 18 years of age or older. This is a legal requirement in Great Britain. If you are under 18, you must not register or place bets on any gambling platform.
We recommend parents and guardians speak with young people about the risks of gambling and monitor their online activities.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
If you recognise any of the following signs in yourself or someone you know, it may indicate a problem with gambling:
- Chasing losses by gambling more to recover money you've lost
- Hiding gambling activity from family, friends, or partners
- Gambling with money needed for essential expenses (rent, bills, food)
- Losing track of time or money spent gambling
- Spending increasing amounts of money to achieve the same excitement
- Neglecting work, hobbies, or relationships due to gambling
- Feeling irritable or anxious when trying to cut down or stop gambling
- Using gambling to escape negative emotions or stress
- Borrowing money to fund gambling activities
- Failed attempts to control or stop gambling
Self-Help Tools Available
Most reputable UK betting sites offer tools to help you maintain control:
- Deposit Limits: Set a maximum amount you can deposit within a specific timeframe (daily, weekly, or monthly)
- Loss Limits: Cap the amount of money you're willing to lose during a set period
- Reality Checks: Receive pop-up reminders about how long you've been gambling and how much you've spent
- Time-Out: Take a break from gambling for a set period (typically 24 hours to several weeks)
- Self-Exclusion: Voluntarily ban yourself from accessing a betting site for a fixed period (usually 6 months to 5 years)
These tools are free and easy to activate through your account settings. Use them to stay in control.
Support Organisations
If you're struggling with gambling, help is available. Below are organisations that provide free, confidential support:
United Kingdom
- GamCare – Free counselling and support services for problem gambling
www.gamcare.org.uk
Telephone: 0808 8020 133 (free and confidential) - GamStop – National self-exclusion scheme allowing you to self-exclude from all licensed UK online gambling operators
www.gamstop.co.uk - Gamblers Anonymous – Peer support meetings and 12-step recovery programme
www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk - National Gambling Treatment Service – NHS-funded therapy services across England
Ask your GP for a referral
Other Countries
- Australia: Gambling Help Online – www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
- Canada: Responsible Gambling Council – www.responsiblegambling.org
- United States: National Council on Problem Gambling – www.ncpgambling.org or call 1-800-GAMBLER
- Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) – www.bzga.de
If You Need Help, Reach Out Today
Problem gambling can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or income. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. The organisations listed above are staffed by trained professionals who understand what you're going through and can provide confidential, judgment-free support.
You don't have to face this alone. Whether you're experiencing gambling problems yourself or are concerned about someone you know, please reach out to one of the support services above. Help is available 24/7.
This information is provided for responsible gambling purposes. DisabilityActionWF1.co.uk encourages all players to gamble responsibly and within their means. If you have a problem with gambling, please seek help from one of the organisations listed above.