Responsible Gambling UK Guide: Tools, Help & Support (2025)

Gambling should be fun. It should add to your enjoyment of life and sport, as opposed to causing you stress, worry or anxiety. Responsible gambling is central to that. In this guide, we explore what responsible gambling tools are available at online bookmakers. Moreover, we offer some expert tips to help you enjoy your betting. Additionally, we explain what gambling protection you should expect.

What is Responsible Gambling?

For the vast majority of punters, gambling is a hobby that brings a little extra fun and excitement to their lives. However, some struggle to control their betting. “Responsible gambling” is a broad term that has safer gambling at its core.

The 2005 UK Gambling Act compels UK bookies to promote and facilitate responsible gambling as part of their duties. Safer gambling includes a range of features and tools to help punters stay in control of their betting. Gambling regulations UK-wide mean that bookmakers have a duty of care to their customers. Moreover, terms and conditions around deposits, withdrawals and bonus offers must be fair.

What is the Role of the UKGC for Safer Gambling?

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licences and regulates all betting operators in the UK. As noted, under the 2005 Gambling Act, encouraging responsible gambling is something they are forced to commit to. The Act seeks to ensure that gambling is fair and open, children and other vulnerable people are protected, and that gambling is not a source of, nor support of, crime. The UKGC has a range of tools at its disposal and can fine offenders or even withdraw their license where betting sites do not support their actions.

The UKGC ensures that gambling operators comply with their rules and guidelines across a wide range of areas. These include the following:

• GAMSTOP – all UK-licensed betting sites work with GAMSTOP. This national self-exclusion tool allows punters to self-exclude from all UK sites in one simple step.
• Advertising – there are now strict restrictions on when and how gambling sites can advertise. Chiefly, ads cannot, in any way, target children. Moreover, there are increasing restrictions on sports advertising.
• Safer gambling tools – various safer gambling tools are now obligatory, making it easier for customers to use these systems.
• Age and ID checks – Know Your Customer checks mean it is harder than ever for underage gamblers to access sites.
• Clear bonus terms – sites must now ensure that promotions are clear and simple. Moreover, terms must be readily displayed and cannot be overly onerous or complex.
• Credit card ban – no UK-licensed site accepts deposits by credit card. Because of this step, it is far harder for bettors to wager money they don’t have.
• Money laundering – there is a strong emphasis on sites to stop money laundering. There are several checks they must make, and they are compelled to flag suspicious activity. Moreover, heavy fines can be levied against sites that fail in their obligations.
• Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) – The UKGC provides very clear information as to what is required from its licenses. Specifically, these cover license conditions, code of practice provisions and personal license conditions.
• Protection of customer funds – as part of the above, operators have obligations to protect player funds in the event of insolvency. This helps with safer gambling as it allows punters to choose operators with higher protections.
• Research, Education and Treatment – funding RET services to help problem gamblers has long been done through a voluntary levy paid by betting sites. However, in recent years, this levy has been increased. Moreover, there have been discussions about making it a statutory requirement.

Responsible Gambling Tools in the UK

Few people would feel that the words social responsibility, gambling and betting are necessarily associated. However, increasingly, betting sites are doing more to facilitate safer gambling. The following responsible gambling tools may be available. Indeed, some are mandatory.

Deposit Limit

Deposit limits are perhaps the most powerful responsible gambling tool. You can typically set a daily, weekly or monthly limit on how much you can deposit into your account. Of all the responsible gambling tips out there, setting a deposit limit when you first join is our number one piece of advice.

Wager Limit

Alternatively (or in addition), a wager limit tool is a good option that limits how much you can place on any single bet.

Loss Limit

Another tool related to safer gambling is a loss limit. This caps your losses within a given timeframe. Once your limit is met, you will not be able to gamble any more.

Self-Exclusion

Self-exclusion is a much stronger tool. Generally, this is more of a last resort where other tools have not entirely worked. Essentially, you are self-banning from a particular site. Typically, you can self-exclude for six months, a year, two years, or five years. Moreover, some operators allow you to self-exclude from different areas of the site, for example, only the casino. Alternatively, you may permanently self-exclude. At some sites, this is referred to as closing or deactivating your account.

Time-Out

Time-out is a similar tool to self-exclusion. However, it lasts for a shorter period. Alternatively, you may see it referred to as “Cool off”. Generally, you can take a time-out (where you will not have access to your account) for periods ranging between a day and up to six weeks.

Reality Check

A reality check is a soft tool that some find useful. It creates pop-up reminders so you do not lose track of how long you have been betting. Generally, these can be set to appear every 30 minutes or every hour.

Account Activity Tracking

Account tracking lets you see how much you have been playing/betting and how much you have been losing. Some punters may not realise, so being able to see simple, clear stats allows them to make more responsible choices about their gambling.

What is Problem Gambling?

We have looked at responsible, “safe play” gambling and what that entails. Conversely, though, what is problem gambling? In the UK, the NHS has a simple test that asks nine questions. A points system is used, and a score of 8 or above indicates that “you or those closest to you are likely to be experiencing gambling-related harms”.

Questions relate to gambling causing you or those around you financial issues, psychological problems and more. It is not a perfect tool, but similar questionnaires are used by other respected authorities. There is no fixed definition of problem gambling. However, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has, since its fifth edition, recognised gambling disorder (GD).

It states that “Gambling disorder is identified by a pattern of repeated and ongoing betting and wagering that continues despite creating multiple problems in several areas of an individual’s life.” This publication, from the American Psychiatric Association, uses its own system. It posits a list of 11 issues and behaviours, with at least four required for a diagnosis of GD.

However, regardless of the definition, questionnaire, or diagnostic tool you use, the key points are broadly the same. We would say that the key things to be aware of include:

• Have you lost more money than you can afford?
• Do you frequently think about betting?
• Has your gambling caused you or those around you stress or worry?
• Have you lied about your gambling?
• Does gambling make you feel guilty?
• Have you chased your losses (bet more to try and recover lost money)?
• Have you previously tried and failed to control or reduce your betting?
• Do you need to wager more to get the same thrill?

While saying yes to one or more of these questions does not indicate you have a problem, if you have any doubts about your gambling, we strongly recommend you speak to someone about it. Alternatively, if you haven’t already, start using responsible gambling tools.

How to Prevent Your Friends or Yourself from Problem Gambling

Being open about your betting is a good step when it comes to safer gambling. Talking about your feelings will help you and will also encourage friends to do the same. Additionally, looking out for the signs of problem gambling is important. If you think a friend or family member is gambling too much, mention it to them.

Following the responsible gambling tips on this page will also help. Additionally, simply being aware of the tools and services available will help. Using a cooling-off period or applying a deposit limit are great first steps. However, if things get more serious, then self-exclusion is wise. Moreover, opting to use GAMSTOP is the strongest tool available and will make controlling your betting much easier.

10 Signs of Problem Gambling

There are many interrelated signs of problem gambling. However, the 10 that follow are among the most important.

1. Betting more than you can afford
2. Borrowing or stealing to fund your gambling, or selling your belongings
3. Chasing losses
4. Lying about your gambling
5. Thinking about gambling excessively
6. Betting is causing you anxiety, stress, worry or affecting your day-to-day life
7. Betting bigger amounts to chase the same thrill
8. Feeling guilty about it
9. Gambling in response to problems or stress
10. Thinking you have a gambling problem, especially if you have tried and failed to control it

Where to Get Help for Gambling Problems in the UK

Gambling protection and advice are now offered by a wide range of sources. While you can speak to friends and family first, or your local GP, the following specialist services are there to help.

UKGC’s Safer Gambling Portal

The Gambling Commission has a dedicated area of its site offering safer gambling tips and tools. Moreover, it is a great place to find details on many other organisations that can help. You can access it via this link.

GamCare

GamCare is the founder of the National Gambling Helpline. They offer 24/7 telephone support. Alternatively, you can contact them via live chat, WhatsApp or email. Additionally, they have an excellent, helpful online community.

Responsible Gambling Council

The RGC is an independent, non-profit body that has existed for over three decades. It is a great place to find the latest research and information. Generally, gambling support focuses on adults. However, the RGC has dedicated sections for those 12-18 and also 18-24.

GambleAware

GambleAware is another provider of 24/7 support. Another option for telephone and live chat, they also have excellent onsite info. Indeed, their “Tools and Support” area offers an array of great information.

Gamblers Anonymous

GA was founded in LA in 1957. It held its first UK meeting in 1964. It follows the same 12-steps approach as, for example, Alcoholics Anonymous. The Gamblers Anonymous system has helped thousands of people over the years and they probably have in-person meetings near you.

Gordon Moody

Gordon Moody is one of the less well-known responsible gambling support services. However, they have been around for over 50 years, with Revered Gordon Moody helping bring GA to the UK. This charity helps individuals, families and communities overcome gambling addiction.

NHS National Problem Gambling Clinic

Established in 2008, this national clinic is a pioneer in the treatment of problem gambling. It is free and open to anyone in Greater London. However, in other areas of the UK, it is only available to those aged between 13 and 18.

UK Self-Exclusion Tools to Block Gambling

Hopefully, most punters can control their gambling before they need outside help. The following excellent tools can assist those who have decided they no longer want to gamble.

GamStop

GamStop is the primary self-exclusion tool in the UK. You simply need to fill in one form to self-exclude from all “gambling websites and apps run by companies licensed in Great Britain”. GamStop is free and allows you to choose how long you want to exclude yourself for.

BetBlocker

BetBlocker is a Scotland-registered charity. Their app allows you to restrict access to betting sites from a particular device for periods ranging from a day up to five years. It is 100% free. Moreover, it is very quick and easy to use.

Net Nanny

This is a paid service that can restrict access to iOS, Windows and macOS systems. Initially established as a parental control tool, Net Nanny can be used to restrict access to gambling sites.

Gamban

Gamban is another paid-for gambling restriction app. Generally, it costs around £25 per year. However, they often offer a free trial. The advantage Gamban and similar tools have over GAMSTOP is that they cover non-UK licensed sites too. This means access is restricted to semi-legal and illegal, unlicensed betting sites. Additionally, Gamban can include types of “betting” not covered by the UKGC. Therefore, access to trading platforms, social gambling, crypto, skins gambling and similar sites can also be controlled.

Banking Tools

Many major banks have a facility to restrict gambling transactions. For example, HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds and many more, including newer banks such as Monzo, facilitate blocks on gambling transactions.

Responsible Gambling Tips to Follow When Betting

At Nostrabet, our expert team fully supports safer gambling. Our top responsible gambling tips are:

• Set an affordable weekly or monthly budget that allows you to keep your betting fun and easy if you lose.
• If you struggle to stick to this budget – or even if you don’t – enforce it using the deposit limit tools available.
• Never (ever, ever) chase losses.
• Avoid betting when tired, drunk, upset or in a negative frame of mind. 
• If you find yourself betting for extended periods of time, use reality check reminders.
• Understand that betting should be fun and accept that beating the bookies is exceptionally hard.
• If you think you have unearthed a magical casino-beating system, or something sounds too good to be true, discuss it with a knowledgeable friend. Alternatively, test your system with very small stakes.
• Do not bet on sports and leagues you know nothing about just because “they are there”.
• Consider a short time out if you are struggling to control your gambling. If you are still betting more than you want or worrying about gambling, consider self-exclusion.
• Use GAMSTOP alongside other free blockers to provide belt-and-braces restrictions if you no longer want to gamble at all.

The Importance of Protecting Children from Gambling in the UK

In the UK and many parts of the world, you must be 18 or over to gamble. Children should not be exposed to gambling in any form. Because it can be addictive, it is vital that only those able to fully understand what they are doing have access to betting websites.

Over the past 20 years, the UKGC has been far more proactive in protecting children. Advertising is now far more tightly controlled. Moreover, this means that games, such as slots, cannot use characters, or even colours, that might be deemed to be aimed at children.

UK-licensed betting sites must carry out strict age verification. Since they can be fined for non-compliance, they take these checks very seriously. Of course, underage gambling is illegal. However, no system is 100% foolproof. Therefore, if you have concerns about your children and gambling, consider some of the parental controls and gambling blockers detailed above.

Stats & Facts About Problem Gambling in the UK

Nobody doubts that the majority of people who gamble do so safely and responsibly. However, it is equally unquestionable that thousands of people have issues with gambling. There is no fixed definition of problem gambling. Therefore, different surveys and different studies come to different conclusions about how gambling affects people.

The UKGC carries out the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) on a quarterly basis. Their latest annual report noted that “overall headline problem gambling” was “statistically stable at 0.3 per cent” and that the “moderate risk rate and low risk rate also remain statistically stable at 1.2 per cent and 1.8 per cent, respectively”.

A government study from a little earlier, in 2018, backed those numbers up. While the stats were a little higher (0.5% for the most at-risk and 3.8% at elevated risk), they are broadly the same. However, a report by the Guardian suggested that the problem gambling rate was much higher, at 2.5%.

Moreover, a 2020 YouGov report suggested that “someone else’s gambling” negatively impacts 7% of the population. On the one hand, whatever stats we consider, the numbers can seem low. However, when put into absolute terms, things are less rosy.

In December 2024, NHS England stated that 138,000 people may be problem gamblers. That figure was based on UKGC figures, with an extra 1.3m potentially at risk. Sadly, and far more seriously, a 2023 report by the government’s Office for Health Improvement and Disparities suggested that up to 496 suicides a year are related to gambling in the UK.

Nostrabet UK’s Commitment to Responsible Gambling

At Nostrabet, we love gambling and believe it to be a safe and fun hobby. However, stats like the above are a sobering reminder that not everyone is able to enjoy betting in the same way. Because of this, we are 100% committed to promoting responsible gambling and safer betting.

All of our betting tips explain that there are no guarantees. Moreover, we are honest and open about our role as non-operators. On top of that, we frequently make clear that there are risks associated with gambling. We promote responsible gambling in every way and firmly believe that when the fun stops, stop.

Safer Gambling FAQs