Responsible gambling means only betting money you can afford to lose, setting limits before you start, and stopping when it isn’t fun any more. If you need to talk to someone now, the National Gambling Helpline is free and open 24 hours a day (numbers below). Every UK-licensed site must give you deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion, and GamStop blocks all of them in one step.
On this page
- Need help now?
- How can you gamble more safely?
- Which tools help you stay in control?
- What are the warning signs of problem gambling?
- Promotions and safer gambling
- Protecting children and young people
- Where can friends and family get support?
- What if gambling has left you in debt?
- Our commitment
- Frequently asked questions
Gambling is an adult activity, and for many people it is an occasional form of entertainment. For some, it can become harmful – to finances, relationships, work and mental health. This page explains the tools available to help you stay in control, the signs that gambling may be becoming a problem, and where to get free, confidential support.
You must be 18 or over to gamble in the UK. If you are under 18, this site is not for you.
Need help now?
- National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (England and Scotland) or 0808 2819 265 (Wales) – free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- GamCare – support, information and live chat for anyone affected by gambling.
- BeGambleAware – advice, self-assessment tools and access to treatment services.
- GamStop – free self-exclusion from all UK-licensed online gambling sites and apps.
If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. You can also contact Samaritans free on 116 123.
How can you gamble more safely?
- Treat gambling as entertainment, not a way to make money. Over time, most people lose more than they win.
- Set a budget you can afford to lose, and stick to it.
- Set a time limit and take regular breaks.
- Never chase losses. Trying to win back money you’ve lost usually leads to bigger losses.
- Don’t gamble when you’re upset, stressed, or have been drinking.
- Don’t borrow to gamble, and never use money meant for bills, rent or essentials.
- Balance gambling with other activities.
- Don’t let promotions decide when you bet. Offers are marketing; ignoring them is always an option.
Which tools help you stay in control?
UK-licensed gambling operators must provide tools to help customers manage their gambling. Look for these in your account settings:
| Tool | What it does | Where to set it |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Caps what you can deposit in a day, week or month. Lowering it is usually immediate; raising it has a cooling-off period. | Account settings. Licensed sites must prompt you to set one before your first deposit. |
| Reality check | Reminds you how long you’ve been playing. | Account settings |
| Time-out | Blocks your account for a short break, from a day to several weeks. | Account settings or customer support |
| Self-exclusion (one site) | Closes your account with that operator for a longer period, usually at least six months. | Account settings or customer support |
| GamStop | Blocks you from every online gambling site and app licensed in Great Britain for six months, one year, five years, or five years with auto-renewal. It can take up to 24 hours to start and can’t be cancelled early. | gamstop.co.uk (free) |
| Bank gambling block | Stops gambling payments on your debit card. | Many UK banking apps |
| Blocking software | Stops gambling sites and apps opening on your devices. | Installed on your phone or computer |
GamStop periods from gamstop.co.uk, checked 22 October 2026.
Deposit limits
Set a maximum you can deposit over a day, week or month. Decreases usually take effect immediately; increases typically involve a cooling-off period. We recommend setting one when you register.
Loss and stake limits
Some operators let you cap how much you can lose or stake over a period.
Reality checks
Pop-up reminders showing how long you’ve been playing and, often, how much you’ve spent.
Time-outs
Take a short break from an account, from a day to several weeks.
Self-exclusion with one operator
Close your account for a longer period, usually at least six months. During this time the operator should not let you gamble or send you marketing.
GamStop
GamStop is a free national scheme that lets you self-exclude from all online gambling websites and apps licensed in Great Britain in one step, for a period you choose. Once you are registered, participating operators must prevent you from gambling.
Blocking software and banking tools
Gambling-blocking apps can stop access to gambling sites on your devices. Many UK banks also let you block gambling transactions on your debit card through their app.
Multi-operator self-exclusion for land-based gambling
Separate schemes exist for betting shops, bingo halls, arcades and casinos. GamCare can point you to the right one.
What are the warning signs of problem gambling?
Gambling may be becoming a problem if you:
- spend more money or time gambling than you intended;
- chase losses or gamble to win back money;
- borrow money, sell possessions or miss bills to gamble;
- feel anxious, irritable or low when not gambling;
- hide your gambling from family or friends, or lie about it;
- gamble to escape problems or difficult feelings;
- neglect work, study or relationships because of gambling;
- feel you need to bet larger amounts to get the same excitement.
If any of these feel familiar, it’s worth talking to someone. BeGambleAware offers a short self-assessment on its website, and the National Gambling Helpline is available around the clock.
Promotions and safer gambling
Because this site covers betting offers, we want to be clear about their purpose: promotions are designed to encourage you to open accounts and place bets. Some things to keep in mind:
- A “free bet” usually requires you to bet your own money first, and the token itself is not cash.
- Don’t place bets you wouldn’t otherwise make to qualify for an offer or use a token before it expires.
- Opening accounts with many bookmakers can make your spending harder to track.
- If you’ve self-excluded, never attempt to open new accounts. Self-exclusion exists to protect you.
If you do use offers, read how free bets really work and what wagering requirements mean first, so the terms don’t push you into bets you wouldn’t otherwise make.
Protecting children and young people
Gambling is illegal for under-18s in the UK. UK-licensed operators must verify customers’ age before they can deposit or gamble. If you share devices with children:
- use parental controls and filtering software;
- don’t save gambling passwords or payment details on shared devices;
- log out of betting apps after use;
- talk to young people about the risks of gambling, including gambling-like features in games.
If you are worried that a young person is gambling, GamCare and BeGambleAware provide guidance for parents and carers.
Where can friends and family get support?
Gambling harm affects people around the gambler too. If someone close to you is struggling, you can contact GamCare or the National Gambling Helpline for advice in your own right. Support is also available for affected others through various charities and peer support groups. Look after your own wellbeing and finances – for example, by keeping separate bank accounts if necessary.
What if gambling has left you in debt?
If gambling has left you in debt, free and impartial debt advice is available from organisations such as StepChange, National Debt Line and Citizens Advice. Avoid taking on further borrowing to clear gambling debts without advice.
Credit cards can’t be used to gamble at UK-licensed sites; our guide to the credit card ban explains why, and what to do if a site still accepts them. Before opening any account, check the site is licensed.
Our commitment
onlinebetfree.co.uk is an information and comparison site for adults in the UK. We:
- only list bookmakers licensed by the Gambling Commission;
- show significant terms alongside every offer we list;
- don’t target content at under-18s;
- include safer gambling information on every page;
- will never describe betting as a way to make money or solve financial problems.
If you see anything on our site that you think falls short of these commitments, please contact us at our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Is the National Gambling Helpline free?
Yes. Call 0808 8020 133 (England and Scotland) or 0808 2819 265 (Wales), any time of day or night.
How long does GamStop last?
You choose a minimum period of six months, one year, five years, or five years with auto-renewal, and it can’t be cancelled during that period. The block can take up to 24 hours to start. Details are on gamstop.co.uk (checked 22 October 2026).
Can I cancel self-exclusion early?
Self-exclusion is designed to be firm and generally can’t be reversed during the chosen period.
Affiliate disclosure: onlinebetfree.co.uk may receive a commission if you open an account through links on this page. This does not affect the offers we list or how we describe them, and it never changes the terms a bookmaker gives you.
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. For free, confidential support visit BeGambleAware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (England and Scotland) or 0808 2819 265 (Wales).