Responsible gambling: help, support and practical steps
Gambling can harm your finances, health and relationships. This page explains the warning signs, the tools available to restrict gambling and where to find support for yourself or someone close to you.
You don’t need to be in debt or certain you have a gambling problem before asking for help.
Get gambling help now
| Location | Service | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| England and Scotland | National Gambling Helpline | 0808 8020 133, free and available 24/7 |
| Wales | NHS Wales gambling helpline | 0808 2819 265, free and available 24/7 |
| Ontario, Canada | ConnexOntario | 1-866-531-2600, free and available 24/7 |
| Elsewhere in Canada | Provincial and territorial services | Find support through the Responsible Gambling Council |
| Australia | Gambling Help | 1800 858 858, free and available 24/7 |
| Other countries | Gambling Therapy | Visit its online support service for advice and help finding local resources |
The British helpline details are listed by the Gambling Commission. You can find further contact options through ConnexOntario and Gambling Help Online Australia.
If gambling or money worries are affecting your emotional wellbeing, you can call Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK and Ireland, free, day or night. In Canada, call or text the 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline, available 24/7.
What does responsible gambling mean?
Responsible gambling describes steps intended to reduce gambling-related harm, such as limiting spending and time, recognising changes in behaviour and seeking support.
These measures do not make gambling risk-free. Choosing not to gamble is always an option.
Gambling should never be treated as income or a way to pay bills, clear debt or recover losses. Harm can include money problems, stress, disrupted relationships and effects on physical and mental health. The NHS explains these risks and the support available.
Warning signs of a gambling problem
Consider whether any of these situations sound familiar:
- You spend more money or time gambling than you intended.
- You return to gambling to try to recover losses.
- You borrow money, sell possessions or use money needed for essentials.
- You hide gambling activity or losses from people close to you.
- You have tried to cut down or stop but found it difficult.
- Gambling interferes with sleep, work or relationships.
- You feel anxious, distressed or preoccupied with gambling.
These signs are reasons to seek support, not a diagnosis. You can ask for help even if only one concern applies to you. ConnexOntario explains how to recognise gambling problems.
Taking a break or stopping gambling
If gambling is causing harm, you can stop now. You do not have to try smaller stakes or stricter budgets first.
Practical steps include requesting self-exclusion, installing blocking software, asking your bank about gambling payment blocks and contacting a support service. A trusted person may be able to help you arrange these.
Using several protections together can help reduce gaps in coverage. GamCare recommends combining bank blocks with blocking software and self-exclusion.
Time-outs
A time-out temporarily restricts gambling on an account. The available periods and conditions depend on the operator and local rules.
Before activating one, check when it starts, when it ends and which accounts it covers. Do not assume a break with one casino applies to other sites or brands.
Self-exclusion
Self-exclusion is a formal request to prevent you from gambling for a specified period. It may cover one operator, several businesses or particular venues, depending on the scheme.
When arranging self-exclusion:
- Use the operator’s self-exclusion facility or contact its support team.
- Confirm which accounts, brands and venues are covered.
- Keep confirmation of the request and its start date.
- Ask how any remaining funds will be returned.
- Request removal from gambling marketing.
If you want to stop because gambling is causing harm, explicitly request self-exclusion. Ordinary account closure may have different reopening rules.
GAMSTOP in Great Britain
GAMSTOP Online is a free service that restricts access to gambling websites and apps licensed in Great Britain.
Check its current exclusion options and registration terms directly. Keep your personal details up to date so the service can continue matching your accounts.
GAMSTOP Online does not provide worldwide coverage or automatically exclude you from every physical gambling venue. Its website explains additional exclusion and support options.
Self-exclusion in Canada and other countries
Check with your provincial gambling organisation, local regulator or operator for available schemes.
Confirm whether an exclusion covers online gambling, physical venues or both. Coverage varies, so exclusion from one operator should not be assumed to apply to every gambling business in your country.
Deposit limits, loss limits and time controls
Account tools have different purposes. Read the operator’s explanation before relying on a setting.
| Tool | What it does | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Restricts money added to an account during a set period | How deposits and withdrawals are counted, and when the period resets |
| Loss limit | Restricts losses under the operator’s calculation | How winnings, bonuses and unsettled bets are treated |
| Time or session limit | Restricts session length or prompts a break | Whether it stops play or only displays a reminder |
| Reality check | Displays information about time spent playing | Whether you can dismiss it and continue |
| Account history | Shows gambling activity and transactions | Which accounts, products and dates are included |
A deposit limit is not necessarily a cap on everything you could lose, particularly if money is already in your account. Limits on separate accounts also do not create a single limit across every site you use.
If you choose to gamble, keep money needed for bills and other essentials out of your gambling budget. Do not borrow to gamble or raise a limit to recover losses.
Repeatedly increasing limits or moving between accounts after reaching them is a reason to stop and seek support.
Blocking gambling websites, apps and payments
Blocking software
Blocking software restricts access to gambling content on the devices where it is installed.
- BetBlocker provides free gambling-blocking software worldwide.
- Gamban blocks gambling websites and apps. Check its current device coverage, pricing and any free-access arrangements.
Follow the provider’s setup instructions and cover every device you use. No blocking tool should be assumed to cover every gambling site or replace professional support.
Bank gambling blocks
Ask your bank whether it offers a gambling block through its app or support team. Check:
- Which accounts, cards and payment types it covers.
- Whether a waiting period applies before the block can be removed.
- What other support is available if gambling is affecting your finances.
Do not assume a card block covers every way of moving money. Ask specifically about transfers, digital wallets and cryptocurrency-related payments if these are relevant to you.
GamCare’s information on bank gambling blocks explains why coverage and implementation matter.
Reducing gambling adverts and reminders
Unsubscribe from casino emails and texts, turn off gambling app notifications and unfollow accounts that promote betting. When self-excluding, ask the operator to stop sending marketing messages.
Some advertising platforms also let you limit gambling-related advertising. Google’s My Ad Center includes controls for sensitive topics such as gambling.
These settings can reduce exposure, but they do not guarantee that you will never see a gambling advert.
Protecting children and young people
Children should not use an adult’s gambling account. Keep account passwords, payment details and identity documents secure.
On shared devices, log out of gambling accounts, avoid saving payment details and use parental controls. BetBlocker offers parental-control options alongside its gambling restriction tools.
Talk openly about gambling advertising, spending and the risk of losing money. If a young person has already gambled, listen without blaming them and seek age-appropriate help from a healthcare professional or gambling support service.
Help for partners, family and friends
Someone else’s gambling can affect your money, wellbeing and relationships. You can seek support even if they are not ready to get help themselves.
Choose a calm time to explain what you have noticed and how it affects you. Offer to help them contact a support service if they want that help. You do not have to manage their recovery alone.
If shared finances are at risk, speak to your bank and a debt adviser about protecting essential household spending. Avoid sharing passwords or lending money for further gambling.
The NHS lists services for people affected by someone else’s gambling, including GamAnon and GamFam. In Ontario, ConnexOntario also helps family members and friends find support.
Treatment and ongoing support
Different types of support suit different people. Options include counselling, specialist treatment, peer-support groups and help with finances.
United Kingdom
GamCare provides gambling support and information about available services.
In England, specialist NHS gambling treatment clinics offer treatment, and self-referral is available. A GP can also help you identify services where you live.
Gamblers Anonymous offers peer-support meetings. Check its current listings for meeting locations, online options and attendance information.
Canada
Support varies by province and territory. The Responsible Gambling Council’s Canadian directory helps you find regional services.
In Ontario, ConnexOntario provides free, confidential information and referrals, 24/7. Alongside its phone service, you can use web chat or text CONNEX to 247247. Standard text and data charges may apply.
Australia
Gambling Help Online provides online support and access to gambling counsellors. Its website also includes self-help resources and a community forum.
International support
Gambling Therapy offers text-based support for people concerned about their own gambling or someone else’s. It supports different languages, including through translation, and advisers can help identify local resources.
Check live-support availability on its website. It is not an emergency service.
Gambling debt and financial help
Trying to recover losses through more gambling can make money problems worse. Seek debt advice early, especially if you are struggling with housing costs, food or utilities.
In the UK, StepChange Debt Charity provides free debt advice.
In Canada, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada explains how to find a credit counsellor, check credentials and understand potential fees.
Elsewhere, look for a recognised local debt-advice service. Ask about costs before agreeing to a debt-management arrangement.
If money worries leave you feeling unable to cope, use the crisis contacts near the top of this page. You do not need to solve the debt before asking for emotional support.
About this information
OnlineCasino.org publishes gambling information. We do not provide treatment, crisis counselling or personalised financial advice.
This page links directly to support organisations and public services. Check with each organisation for current availability, eligibility and service details.
You can learn more about the people behind our content on our editorial team page.
