Responsible gambling: keeping it fun
Gambling is entertainment you pay for, like a night out. These are the habits and tools that keep it that way, and the places to turn if it has stopped feeling like fun.
Gambling is for adults only. You must be 18 or over to play at any casino we feature.
We write about casinos, bonuses and games because people enjoy them. We also know that for some people, at some times, gambling stops being a pastime and becomes a problem. This page is about staying on the right side of that line, and about what to do if you are not.
Start with the right mindset
- Expect to lose the money you play with. The house edge means that over time, casinos win. Any money you win is a bonus, not the plan.
- It is not a way to earn money. Not to pay bills, not to clear debts, not to make up for a bad month.
- Every spin and hand is independent. No game is "due" to pay. Our guides to online slots and crash games explain why.
Set a budget before you play
Decide how much you can afford to spend on gambling this week or this month, the way you would budget for eating out. Money for rent, food and bills is never part of it.
A few rules that work for a lot of people:
- Pick an amount that would not upset you if it was gone.
- Do not top up after it is spent. The session is over.
- Keep gambling money separate from the money you live on.
- Never borrow to gamble.
Treat a welcome bonus as extra playing time, not extra budget. Our wagering guide explains why bonus money is not the same as cash.
The tools in your casino account
Most casinos, including all the ones we cover, have player protection tools in the account settings. Some you can set yourself in a few taps; others are applied by the support team on request.
| Tool | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Caps how much you can deposit per day, week or month | Set it on day one, before you need it |
| Loss limit | Caps how much you can lose in a period, where offered | When you want a firmer ceiling |
| Session reminder / reality check | Pops up after a set time to show how long you have played | Always useful, especially on mobile |
| Time-out | Blocks your account for a short period, such as 24 hours to a few weeks | After a bad session, or when life is busy |
| Self-exclusion | Closes your account for a long period, often months or years | If gambling is causing harm |
Lowering a limit usually takes effect immediately. Raising one normally comes with a waiting period, so you cannot change your mind in the heat of a session. That delay is deliberate, and it helps.
How to self-exclude
If you want to stop entirely, contact the casino's support team through live chat or the contact form and ask to self-exclude. Some casinos also have a self-exclusion option in the account settings. If you have accounts at several casinos, do this at each one, and remove the apps from your phone. Our casino apps guide explains how they are installed, which also tells you how to remove them: delete the home-screen icon like any other app.
Warning signs
Gambling may be becoming a problem if you recognise several of these:
- Spending more money or time than you meant to, regularly.
- Chasing losses: betting more to win back what you lost.
- Feeling anxious, irritable or low when you are not gambling.
- Hiding how much you gamble from people close to you.
- Borrowing money, or selling things, to gamble.
- Missing work, sleep or time with family because of gambling.
- Gambling to escape problems or difficult feelings.
- Thinking about gambling most of the day.
You do not need to tick every box. If two or three sound familiar, it is worth talking to someone now rather than later.
Practical habits that help
- Play with the clock visible. Casino screens do not show time passing. A phone clock or a reality check does.
- Do not gamble when you are drunk, tired, angry or upset. Decisions get worse and stakes get bigger.
- Set a stop-win as well as a stop-loss. If you are ahead by a set amount, withdraw it and stop for the day.
- Avoid fast games when you feel restless. Crash rounds and quick spins have no pauses built in. The live casino moves at a slower pace.
- Take regular breaks. Get up, make a drink, look at your balance with fresh eyes.
- Keep a record. Stakes, wins and losses for a month. The totals are often a surprise.
Where to get help
These organisations offer free, confidential support. You do not have to be in crisis to contact them.
- GamCare: free support, information and counselling, with a helpline and live chat.
- BeGambleAware: advice, self-assessment tools and directions to treatment services.
- Gamblers Anonymous: peer support groups for people who want to stop gambling.
- Gambling Therapy: free online support in several languages, available worldwide.
If you are worried about someone else's gambling, these organisations help family and friends too.
Protecting children
Keep login details private, do not save passwords on shared devices, and remove casino apps from tablets or phones that children use. Parental control software can block gambling sites at device or router level.
Our part
We only feature casinos that offer limit and exclusion tools, and we never present gambling as a way to make money. If you think something on our site falls short of that, please tell us through the contact page. You can read more about how we work on our about page, and how bonuses work in practice in how to claim a casino bonus.
Frequently asked questions
What is a deposit limit?
A cap you set in your casino account on how much you can deposit per day, week or month. Lowering it takes effect straight away; raising it usually involves a waiting period.
What is the difference between a time-out and self-exclusion?
A time-out blocks your account for a short period, such as a day or a few weeks. Self-exclusion closes it for a much longer period and is meant for people who need to stop.
How do I self-exclude from a casino?
Use the self-exclusion option in your account settings if there is one, or ask the casino's support team through live chat or the contact form. Do it at every casino where you have an account.
Where can I get free help with gambling?
GamCare, BeGambleAware, Gamblers Anonymous and Gambling Therapy all offer free, confidential support.
How do I know if my gambling is a problem?
Warning signs include chasing losses, spending more than you planned, hiding your gambling, borrowing to gamble and feeling low when you are not playing. If several apply, talk to one of the organisations above.