Responsible gambling

Gambling should be an enjoyable form of entertainment. If it’s starting to cause stress, create financial pressure, damage relationships, or change your mood and behaviour, it’s a signal to step back and reassess. This page is here to help you recognise early warning signs, use practical tools to stay in control, and find confidential support when you need it.

Understanding Responsible Gambling

Responsible gambling means making choices that keep play within your control and within your means. It is about balancing entertainment with wellbeing, planning ahead, and using practical safeguards so gaming stays fun rather than harmful.

Key principles:

Play only with money you can afford to lose.
Set limits on time and spending before you start.
Treat gambling as entertainment, not a way to make money or solve financial problems.
Use the tools available to manage your account and take breaks when needed.

Warning Signs You Might Need Help

It can be hard to notice changes in your own behaviour. These signs are common red flags that gambling may be becoming a problem:

Spending more time and money than you planned.
Borrowing, selling items, or missing bills to gamble.
Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when not gambling.
Chasing losses by increasing stakes or play frequency.
Hiding gambling activity from family or friends.
Neglecting work, study, relationships, or self-care.

Tools to Control Your Play

Practical tools can help you keep gambling in check. Use them proactively or reach out for help if you find it hard to set or follow limits.

Deposit limits: Set daily, weekly or monthly deposit caps to control how much you can add to your account.
Loss and wager limits: Limit the total amount you can lose or wager over a set period.
Session limits and reality checks: Set maximum session lengths and enable pop-up reminders to encourage breaks.
Time-outs: Take a temporary break from your account for a set number of days.
Self-exclusion: Choose to block access to your account for an extended period or permanently.
Cooling-off periods: Short breaks that help interrupt impulsive behaviour.
Account closure: If needed, you can request permanent account closure and assistance in closing any related accounts.

Setting Financial and Time Limits

Specific limits reduce impulse decisions and protect your finances. Consider these steps when you set limits:

Decide a maximum amount you can afford to lose each month, and convert that into a deposit limit.
Set a maximum session time and schedule alarms or reality checks to remind you to stop.
Avoid using credit to gamble. If credit is already used, contact a financial adviser or debt counselling service.
Review and reduce limits if you notice urges to increase play or chase losses.
Ask support staff to help you set or lower limits; these requests are typically handled confidentially and promptly.

Self-Exclusion and Cooling-Off

If you need a stronger measure, self-exclusion and cooling-off are effective options:

Cooling-off: Short pauses (days to weeks) that interrupt play without long-term commitment.
Self-exclusion: A formal, longer-term block from accessing your account for months or years. It’s an important step for regaining control.
When you choose self-exclusion, ask how funds in your account will be handled, how long the exclusion will last, and what support is available during the period.
Support teams respect confidentiality and can explain the process and next steps when you’re ready.

Self-Assessment and Reflection

Regular self-checks help you stay mindful. Try asking yourself these questions:

Am I chasing losses or increasing stakes to feel the same thrill?
Is gambling affecting my sleep, mood or relationships?
Have I spent money intended for essentials on gambling?
Do I hide my gambling activity from people close to me?

If you answer “yes” to any of these, consider reducing play, using limits, or seeking professional support.

Where to Get Help

Help is available and confidential. Take the step that feels right for you—talking to someone is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Contact in-site support to discuss limits, self-exclusion, or account closure—staff can guide you through options and practical next steps.
Reach out to your local or national problem gambling support services for counselling, helplines, and treatment programmes.
Consider financial counselling if gambling has affected your finances—trained advisers can help create a plan.
Support groups and peer networks offer lived experience and practical coping strategies.

Practical Steps If You Need Immediate Support

If gambling is causing immediate distress or financial crisis, take simple, concrete actions now:

Stop access to funds used for gambling: remove saved payment details, block cards, or ask your bank for gambling-blocking options.
Set immediate deposit and spending limits or request a temporary account freeze.
Tell a trusted friend or family member and ask for practical help to manage money and stay accountable.
Contact emergency services or crisis support if you feel at risk of harming yourself or others.

Support for People Close to You

If you’re concerned about someone else’s gambling, your support can make a difference. Approach the situation with compassion and practical focus:

Express concern without blame and pick a calm moment to talk.
Share specific observations about behaviour and how it’s affecting you and others.
Encourage them to use account tools, set limits, or seek professional help, and offer to assist with practical steps.
Protect your own finances—do not co-sign loans or cover gambling losses.
Seek advice for yourself from family support services or counselling; supporting someone through change can be difficult and you deserve help too.

We are committed to helping you play safely. If you would like assistance setting limits, choosing a cooling-off period, or finding local support services, reach out to our customer support team through your account. Asking for help is a positive step—you're not alone.