Responsible Gambling
Responsible gambling is our top priority at UK-Gambling.org.uk. While online gambling is a source of entertainment for many, it can be problematic for some. We ensure safe and responsible online gambling by endorsing operators who share our values. All recommended online casinos are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and are committed to empowering players to maintain control.
The UKGC-regulated online gambling sites that we recommend around this website aid responsible gambling by putting the following measures and functions into place:
- Ability to set deposit limits: At our recommended UK casinos, you can set deposit limits ranging from daily to monthly limits in that you cannot exceed the cashier.
- Reality Checks: UKGC-licensed casinos also provide prompts and time-out reminders to assist and prompt you about how long you play slots and casino games online.
- View Your Gambling History: You can access the history of all your transactions, deposits, and withdrawals so it's easy to see what you have been spending and what you have been playing as a healthy reminder.
- Take A Break Options: You can also set a break period at regulated casinos, which can be anything from 24 hours to 6 weeks
- Autoplay Limitations: If you are a casino player that likes to play games using their auto-play feature, a handy function is in place where you will be asked to select your stake and loss limits before you get started. You can even choose to pause the game when you hit a jackpot too, which is meant to restrict your gambling at that time so that you don't spend any of your winnings.
- Self-Exclude: You also can self-exclude and stop gambling altogether if it has become too much and is no longer fun nor entertaining. Self-exclusion can be set from six months to five years.
How Do I know if I have a Gambling Problem?
A good way to assess if you are in danger of having an unhealthy attitude towards online gambling is to answer the following questions. This is a gauge how you are gambling and how you see gambling in your life (and how much control you have over it). If you answer yes to any of the following questions, we recommend taking a complete break to get it under control:
- Do you suffer mood swings, irritation and anxiety when you are not gambling?
- Do you gamble alone on your computer or mobile device for long periods?
- Do you log in and gamble whilst at work?
- Have you needed to increase your stakes to get the thrill you seek from online gambling?
- Have you ever gone back to gamble on another day to win back your losses?
- Have you ever hidden gambling from people who are valuable to you in your life?
- Have you borrowed money you have been unable to repay because of your gambling habit?
- Are you in debt as a result of online gambling?
- Do you believe that you gamble to escape other issues or difficulties in your life?
- Have you ever claimed to be winning from gambling you are really losing?
- Have you tried to reduce the time or money you spend gambling and have been unsuccessful?
- Have you ever been tempted to commit an act of dishonesty to fund your gambling habit?
- Do you find yourself breaking promises to family and friends so that you can gamble online instead?
- Have you ever sold any possessions to obtain money to gamble or pay your gambling debts?
Getting Gambling Help
There are numerous places to turn if you need to get help with your gambling. Don't be afraid to reach for help or admit that you have a problem because there's a lot of help out there for you; you needn't go through it alone.
GamCare
GamCare is the leading provider of advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling in the UK. Their services are free and confidential. You can reach them via telephone on the following free phone number: 0808-8020 133. Lines are open every day from 8 am to midnight. What's more, GamCare also offers a handy live chat if you don't feel like calling on the phone. The live chat support is helpful to get confidential advice, information and emotional support, which is not judgemental. There's also a group chat where you can speak to other people who are in a similar situation as you. You can each talk to each other about shared experiences of what you're going through.
BeGambleAware
BeGambleAware is also another well-known gambling help resource. Here, you’ll find a plethora of advice and access free and confidential help through their website or the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. BeGambleAware.org offers tips about staying in control or getting help if you suspect someone you know may have a problem gambling. BeGambleAware also provides you with information about gambling-blocking software, such as Gamban and Gamstop.
Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous is an organisation of men and women who share their experiences with problem gambling in the hope that by sharing their experiences and talking about them, they can help themselves and others overcome it. The site offers several ways of help, including a Forum, Chat Room, Literature and a real-life Meeting Finder. Meetings are at the heart of Gamblers Anonymous - there are meetings every day throughout the UK which are easy to find and attend anonymously for help.