What Is Responsible Gambling?
It can be hard to notice when gambling stops being fun and becomes a problem. Below are common warning signs. You do not need to recognise all of them for gambling to be a problem. Even one or two can be a reason to take a break or ask for help.
- You spend more money or time than you planned
- You try to win back money you have lost (this is called chasing losses)
- You borrow money or sell things to keep gambling
- You think about gambling often, even when you are not playing You gamble to escape stress, boredom, or low moods
- You find it hard to stop, even after you decide to
- You need to bet more money to feel the same excitement You feel restless or irritable when you try to cut down
- You hide your gambling from family or friends Gambling affects your sleep, work, studies, or relationships
- You feel stressed, guilty, or anxious about your gambling
If you recognise one or more of these signs, it may be time to set stricter limits, take a break, or contact a support service. Help is available, and it works best when you ask for it early.
Worried About Someone Else’s Gambling?
You do not have to gamble yourself to be affected by it. If you are worried about a partner, family member, or friend, you may notice:
- They are often short of money without an obvious reason
- They borrow money and struggle to pay it back
- They seem secretive about money or how they spend their time
- They are more anxious, irritable, or withdrawn than usual
- Gambling comes up in arguments at home
Support organisations also help family members and friends, not only the person who gambles. You can contact them for advice on how to start a conversation and how to protect yourself financially.
Where to Get Help
If gambling is affecting your money, mood, or relationships, free and confidential help is available. The organisations below work independently from gambling operators. Support is open to both players and the people close to them.
Is your country not in the list? You can still find local help. Search online for “gambling helpline” or “gambling addiction support” together with the name of your country. Look for a national health service, a government body, or a non-profit organisation. These services are usually free and confidential.
| COUNTRY | ORGANISATION | WHAT THEY OFFER |
|---|---|---|
| International | Gambling Therapy | Free online support in several languages, with live chat and moderated forums for players and families |
| International | Gamblers Anonymous | A fellowship with local and online meetings based on a 12 step programme |
| United Kingdom | GamCare | Free confidential helpline, live chat, and self-help tools, open 24 hours a day 0808 8020 133 |
| United Kingdom | GambleAware | Advice, self-assessment tools, and referrals to free treatment |
| Netherlands | OpenOverGokken | Free anonymous advice by phone and chat for players and the people around them |
| Netherlands | AGOG | Self-help groups and meetings for players and their families |
| Germany | Check dein Spiel | Free anonymous telephone counselling and an online self-check 0800 137 27 00 |
| Spain | FEJAR | Free confidential helpline and support for players and families 900 200 225 |
| Spain | JugarBien (DGOJ) | Official government information and self-assessment tools |
| France | Joueurs Info Service | Free advice and support by phone and chat, open every day 09 74 75 13 13 |
| Italy | Telefono Verde Nazionale (ISS) | Free anonymous national helpline for players and families 800 55 88 22 |
| Brazil | Jogadores Anónimos | A free fellowship with in-person and online meetings across the country |
Self-Exclusion Programmes
A self-exclusion programme blocks you from gambling with every operator licensed in your country. Once you register, those operators must refuse you access for the period you choose. In most countries the block covers both online sites and land-based venues, and it cannot be cancelled straight away. This is one of the strongest steps you can take if gambling is becoming hard to control.
| COUNTRY | ORGANISATION | HOW TO REGISTER |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | GAMSTOP | Register online for 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years (gamstop.co.uk) |
| Netherlands | Cruks | Register with DigiD for a minimum of 6 months (cruksregister.nl) |
| Spain | RGIAJ | Register through the DGOJ, the gambling regulator (ordenacionjuego.es) |
| France | Interdiction volontaire de jeu (ANJ) | Register online with the ANJ. This closes existing accounts and lasts three years (anj.fr) |
| Italy | RUA | Register through your operator account or the ADM portal with SPID, for 30, 60, or 90 days, or indefinitely (adm.gov.it) |
| Brazil | Plataforma Centralizada de Autoexclusão | Register with a gov.br account for 1 to 12 months, or an indefinite period (gov.br) |
| International | Gamban and BetBlocker | Install on your own devices to block gambling sites and apps, if your country has no national register (gamban.com / betblocker.org) |
The registers above work across all licensed operators in a country. This is different from the account self-exclusion in the next section, which blocks only one casino.
Tools to Help You Stay in Control
Licensed online casinos offer responsible gambling tools that help you manage your time and money. You can usually find them in your account settings, under a name like Responsible Gambling or Account Limits. Setting them before you start playing makes them easier to keep.
We also check for these tools before we list a casino on this website. You can read how in our second standard on the recommended casinos page.
Deposit Limits
You can set a daily, weekly, or monthly limit on how much money you put into your account. This is one of the simplest ways to stay in control of your spending.
Loss Limits
You can cap how much you are able to lose within a set period. When you reach the limit, you cannot lose more until the period resets.
Wager Limits
You can limit the total amount you are able to bet over a day, week, or month, whatever happens with your wins along the way.
Time Limits
You can set how long you are able to play in one session, or how long you can play each day.
Reality Checks
These are pop-up messages that remind you how long you have been playing. They help you notice when a short session has become a long one.
Cooling-off period (time-out)
You can pause your account for a short period, for example 24 hours, a few days, or a few weeks. This is a lighter option than self-exclusion, and it is useful when you just need to step away.
Self-Exclusion
You can block your account for a longer fixed period, for example 6 months or more. During this time you cannot log in or place bets, and the block cannot be lifted early. This works at one casino only. To block yourself across all licensed operators in your country, use a national register (see the section above).
Gambling and Mental Health
Gambling problems and mental health are closely linked. Money worries and losses can lead to stress, anxiety, or low moods. It also works the other way around. Some people gamble to escape stress, boredom, or difficult feelings, which can make the problem grow over time.
If you feel overwhelmed, or if you notice you gamble to cope with how you feel, speak to:
- A doctor
- A mental health professional
- A trusted family member or friend
You are not alone, and help is available.
Gambling and Financial Safety
Never gamble with:
- Rent or mortgage money
- Loan money
- Credit card debt
- Money needed for daily living expenses
A good rule is to only play with money you can afford to lose, and to never borrow money to gamble or to win back what you have lost. If gambling has caused financial problems, consider speaking with a financial advisor or a debt support service in your country.nancial problems, consider speaking with a financial advisor or debt support service in your country.
Our Commitment
As an affiliate website:
- We only list casinos that meet our five standards
- We do not guarantee winnings
- We do not encourage excessive gambling
- We are honest that gambling involves risk
A valid licence and responsible gambling tools are two of these standards. Our goal is to provide honest information about live casinos while supporting safe and responsible play.
18+ Only
Our content is for adults only. You must be at least 18, or the legal gambling age in your country, to open a casino account or place bets. Gambling by minors is against the law in most countries. Licensed casinos check your age and identity before you can play. If you are underage, please leave this website.
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