Responsible Gambling
Gambling should be an enjoyable form of entertainment, not a way to make money. If gambling stops being fun, it's time to stop.
Signs of Problem Gambling
- Spending more money or time gambling than you can afford
- Difficulty controlling or stopping gambling
- Neglecting work, school, or family responsibilities
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to gamble
- Feeling anxious, irritable, or depressed about gambling
- Chasing losses — increasing bets to recover money
Tips for Safe Gambling
- Set a budget before you start and stick to it
- Set time limits for your gambling sessions
- Never gamble with money you can't afford to lose
- Don't chase losses — accept them as part of the game
- Take regular breaks and don't gamble when upset or stressed
- Balance gambling with other hobbies and activities
Self-Exclusion & Limits
Most licensed casinos offer tools to help you control your gambling:
- Deposit limits — Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit caps
- Loss limits — Automatic stop when losses reach a threshold
- Session time limits — Reminders or forced breaks after set periods
- Self-exclusion — Temporarily or permanently block your account
- Reality checks — Regular pop-ups showing time and money spent
Problem Gambling: The Numbers
According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, approximately 2-3% of adults meet criteria for problem gambling, and another 4-6% are considered at-risk gamblers. The GambleAware reports that in the UK alone, an estimated 0.5% of the adult population (around 300,000 people) are problem gamblers, with another 2.1 million at risk.
Young adults aged 18-24 are particularly vulnerable. Research from the International Center for Responsible Gaming shows that problem gambling rates among this age group are 2-3 times higher than in the general adult population.
Self-Assessment: Are You at Risk?
Answer these questions honestly. If you answer 'yes' to two or more, consider seeking support from one of the organizations listed below.
- Have you ever bet more than you could afford to lose?
- Have you needed to gamble with increasing amounts of money to get the same feeling?
- Have you tried to cut back or stop gambling but found it difficult?
- Do you feel restless or irritable when trying to reduce gambling?
- Have you lied to family members or others to hide the extent of your gambling?
Questions adapted from the NCPG Problem Gambling Screening Tools.
Self-Exclusion Programs by Region
Self-exclusion allows you to voluntarily ban yourself from gambling platforms for a set period. Most programs are free, confidential, and legally binding.
- UK: GAMSTOP — Free service that blocks you from all UK-licensed gambling websites for 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years.
- Germany: OASIS — National self-exclusion system. Blocks access to all licensed German gambling operators.
- Sweden: Spelpaus — Government-run exclusion system covering all Swedish-licensed operators.
- Netherlands: CRUKS — Central Register for Exclusion from Games of Chance. Mandatory for all Dutch-licensed casinos.
Most online casinos also offer individual self-exclusion directly in account settings. Contact customer support or look for 'Responsible Gambling' in your account menu.
Need Help?
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, these organizations provide free, confidential support:
How to Help Someone with a Gambling Problem
If you suspect a friend or family member has a gambling problem, here's how you can help:
- Start a non-judgmental conversation. Express concern about specific behaviors, not the person.
- Learn about problem gambling so you can understand what they're going through. Resources like Gambling Therapy offer specific guidance for friends and family.
- Don't lend money, cover debts, or make excuses for gambling behavior — this enables the problem.
- Encourage professional help. Offer to help them contact a helpline or attend their first counselling session.
- Take care of yourself. Supporting someone with addiction is stressful. Consider joining a support group for affected family members.
Underage Gambling
Gambling is illegal for anyone under 18 years of age (or the legal age in your jurisdiction). We strongly oppose underage gambling and do not target minors in any way. All casinos featured on this site require age verification.