Safer Gambling & Support

Gambling is never risk-free

Betting is for adults aged 18 and over. Only consider money you can afford to lose, never borrow to gamble and do not chase losses. Gambling is not a way to resolve debt or create a reliable income.

Warning signs include spending more than intended, hiding gambling, neglecting commitments or finding it difficult to stop. You do not have to wait for a crisis to ask for help.

Talk to someone

GamCare provides free, confidential support through the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, available 24 hours a day. Its website also offers online support. Help is available if you are worried about your own gambling or someone else’s.

If there is an immediate threat to life or safety, call 999. Our website and contact email are not emergency or counselling services.

Limits and breaks

Deposit limits can restrict the amount paid into an account. A time-out pauses access for a specified period, while self-exclusion is a longer-term restriction. These tools differ between services; check the current rules and do not treat them as a guarantee against harm.

If you need to stop, do not open another account to get around a restriction. Consider gambling-blocking software and bank gambling-payment blocks alongside professional support.

GAMSTOP online self-exclusion

GAMSTOP is a free service that lets you self-exclude from online gambling with participating businesses licensed in Great Britain. Register directly through its official website and keep your personal details up to date.

Online self-exclusion is not the same as a time-out with one operator and does not cover every possible gambling activity. Other forms of gambling may need separate exclusions.

Helping someone else

You can seek support even if you do not gamble yourself. GamCare can help people affected by someone else’s gambling. Protect your own finances and wellbeing rather than trying to manage the situation alone.