Play safe: UK help and tools

18+ only — it’s illegal to gamble under 18 in Great Britain. Every casino we list checks your age and identity before you can play.

Free help, any time

• National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133. Free, confidential and open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It’s run by GamCare, which also offers live chat and free support on its website.
• Prefer to message? GamCare also answers on WhatsApp (020 3031 8881) and by live chat on its website, 24 hours a day.
• GAMSTOP: free self-exclusion from every online gambling site and app licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, in one step. You choose how long it lasts.
• Blocking tools: blocking software such as Gamban stops gambling sites loading on your phone or computer, and many UK banks and card providers let you switch on a block on gambling payments in their app.
• NHS National Problem Gambling Clinic: specialist NHS treatment for people aged 16 and over in England and Wales with complex gambling problems. You can contact the clinic yourself to ask about a referral.

Signs gambling is becoming a problem

• Spending more money or time than you meant to, or than you can afford
• Chasing losses, or gambling to win back money you’ve lost
• Borrowing money, or using money meant for bills, to gamble
• Feeling anxious, irritable or low when you’re not gambling, or when you try to cut down
• Hiding your gambling from family or friends
• Gambling getting in the way of work, sleep or relationships

If any of these sound familiar, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. You don’t need to be in crisis to talk to someone.

Tools every UK-licensed casino must offer

Online casinos licensed by the UK Gambling Commission have to give you these tools in your account:

• Deposit limits: cap how much you can deposit over a day, week or month.
• Time-outs: take a short break from your account.
• Reality checks: on-screen reminders of how long you’ve been playing.
• Self-exclusion: close your account for at least six months. To block every UK-licensed site at once, use GAMSTOP.

Set a deposit limit when you sign up, before you play. Look for the safer gambling or responsible gaming section in your account settings.

Keep gambling safe

• Only gamble with money you can afford to lose, and treat it as the cost of entertainment.
• Decide on a time and money limit before you start, and stop when you reach it.
• Don’t gamble when you’re upset, stressed or have been drinking.
• Only play at casinos licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. You can check any licence on the Gambling Commission public register.