Responsible Gambling: Your Guide to Safe Gaming

At UK Licensed Casino Guide, we are committed to promoting responsible gambling practices. Gambling should be an enjoyable form of entertainment, not a way to make money or solve financial problems. This page provides information and resources to help you maintain control over your gambling activities.

What is Responsible Gambling?

Responsible gambling means approaching gambling as a form of entertainment while maintaining control over the time and money you spend. It involves:

Setting clear limits on time and money spent gambling
Understanding the odds and that the house always has an edge
Viewing losses as entertainment costs, not attempts to win money
Never gambling to escape problems or negative emotions
Maintaining balance with other life activities and responsibilities

Understanding the Risks

Gambling is Risk-Based Entertainment

All casino games have a mathematical advantage for the house
Winning is never guaranteed, regardless of strategies or systems
Gambling outcomes are determined by chance, not skill or experience
Previous results do not influence future outcomes

Signs You May Need Help

It’s important to recognize warning signs of problem gambling:

Financial Signs:

Spending more money than you can afford to lose
Borrowing money to gamble or pay gambling debts
Hiding gambling activities or spending from family/friends
Neglecting bills or responsibilities to fund gambling

Behavioral Signs:

Gambling for longer periods than intended
Chasing losses by increasing bet sizes or frequency
Lying about gambling activities to others
Feeling restless or irritable when not gambling
Using gambling to escape stress, depression, or other problems

Emotional Signs:

Feeling guilty, anxious, or depressed about gambling
Mood swings related to gambling wins and losses
Thinking about gambling constantly
Feeling the need to gamble with increasing amounts for excitement

Tools for Staying in Control

Setting Personal Limits

Financial Limits:

Decide on a gambling budget you can afford to lose
Never gamble with money needed for essentials (rent, food, bills)
Set daily, weekly, and monthly spending limits
Consider using separate “entertainment” bank accounts

Time Limits:

Set specific time periods for gambling activities
Use alarms or reminders to track time spent gambling
Take regular breaks during gambling sessions
Schedule gambling-free days or periods

UK Casino Protection Tools

All UK-licensed casinos are required to offer player protection tools:

Deposit Limits:

Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits
Limits can be decreased immediately but increases have cooling-off periods
Helps control how much money you can spend

Time Limits:

Set session time limits to control gambling duration
Automatic logout after specified periods
Reminders about time spent gambling

Loss Limits:

Set maximum loss amounts for specific periods
Prevents chasing losses beyond predetermined amounts
Helps maintain budgetary control

Reality Checks:

Pop-up reminders about time and money spent
Regular updates on gambling activity
Helps maintain awareness of gambling behavior

Self-Exclusion:

Temporary or permanent exclusion from gambling sites
Prevents access to your casino accounts
Can be applied across multiple operators

Self-Assessment: Evaluating Your Gambling

Quick Self-Assessment Questions

Ask yourself these important questions:

Do you gamble longer than you intended?
Have you ever lied about your gambling activities?
Do you feel the need to increase bet amounts for excitement?
Have you borrowed money to gamble?
Do you gamble to escape problems or negative emotions?
Have you tried to cut down or stop gambling but couldn’t?
Do you feel restless when not gambling?
Have you risked important relationships or opportunities due to gambling?

If you answered “yes” to several questions, it may be time to seek help.

UK Support Services and Resources

National Support Organizations

GamCare

Website: www.gamcare.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7)
Live Chat: Available on their website
Services: Counseling, support groups, online tools

Gamblers Anonymous UK

Website: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
Services: Peer support meetings (in-person and online)
12-step recovery program
Local groups across the UK

National Gambling Helpline

Phone: 0808 8020 133 (free, confidential, 24/7)
Text: “HELP” to 66777
Email: info@gamcare.org.uk

BeGambleAware

Website: www.begambleaware.org
Information and advice about safer gambling
Treatment finder to locate local services
Educational resources and self-help tools

Professional Treatment Services

NHS Gambling Clinics:

Free treatment through the National Health Service
Specialist gambling addiction therapists
Individual and group therapy options
Available in major cities across the UK

Private Counseling:

Chartered psychologists specializing in gambling addiction
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for gambling problems
Online therapy options available

Self-Exclusion Services

GamStop

Website: www.gamstop.co.uk
Free self-exclusion service for UK online gambling
Excludes you from all UK-licensed online gambling sites
Options for 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years

GAMSTOP Exclusion Periods:

6 months: Cannot be reduced or reversed
1 year: Cannot be reduced or reversed
5 years: Cannot be reduced or reversed

Financial Support and Debt Advice

Free Debt Advisory Services

Citizens Advice

Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Free, confidential debt advice
Help with budgeting and financial planning
Local offices across the UK

StepChange Debt Charity

Website: www.stepchange.org
Phone: 0800 138 1111
Free debt advice and management plans
Online debt advice tool

National Debtline

Website: www.nationaldebtline.org
Phone: 0808 808 4000
Free debt advice helpline
Self-help materials and resources

Information for Family and Friends

Supporting Someone with Gambling Problems

Recognize the Signs:

Changes in behavior, mood, or financial situation
Secretiveness about activities or spending
Borrowing money or selling possessions
Neglecting responsibilities or relationships

How to Help:

Approach with compassion, not judgment
Encourage professional help-seeking
Set boundaries around money and enabling behaviors
Take care of your own emotional well-being

Support for Families:

GamAnon: Support groups for families affected by gambling
GamCare: Family counseling and support services
Local support groups: Available in many communities

Gambling and Mental Health

Common Co-occurring Issues

Depression and anxiety disorders
Substance use problems
Relationship and family problems
Financial stress and debt
Work or academic performance issues

Seeking Comprehensive Help

If you’re experiencing gambling problems alongside mental health issues:

Contact your GP for assessment and referral
Consider specialized dual-diagnosis treatment
Access NHS mental health services
Use integrated treatment approaches

Creating a Recovery Plan

Steps to Regain Control

Acknowledge the Problem: Admit that gambling has become problematic
Seek Professional Help: Contact support services and treatment providers
Remove Gambling Access: Use self-exclusion tools and blocking software
Address Financial Issues: Get debt advice and create budgets
Build Support Networks: Join support groups and tell trusted friends/family
Develop Healthy Alternatives: Find new hobbies and stress management techniques
Create Accountability: Regular check-ins with counselors or support groups

Preventing Relapse

Avoid high-risk situations and triggers
Continue with support groups and counseling
Use technology tools to block gambling access
Maintain healthy lifestyle choices
Have a crisis plan for difficult moments

Our Commitment

UK Licensed Casino Guide is committed to:

Promoting only UK-licensed, regulated operators
Providing accurate information about gambling risks
Supporting responsible gambling practices
Offering resources for those who need help
Complying with UK gambling advertising standards

We believe that gambling should enhance your life, not harm it. If gambling is no longer fun or causing problems, please reach out for help using the resources listed above.

Remember: There is no shame in seeking help, and recovery is possible with the right support.

This page is regularly updated to provide current information about responsible gambling resources in the UK. Last updated: January 2024

Responsible Gaming