Play responsibly: Our gambling addiction help centre

Basic pillars of responsible gambling

• Awareness and education

  The most important thing is that the player is informed about the system of gambling. Therefore, he must have a complete game plan of the gambling operator where he is going to play – the game plan must be available in both online and brick-and-mortar casinos.
  Thanks to education, the gambler learns all the important information about the risks and possible negative consequences associated with gambling. It is important to inform the player about the system of gambling enough so that he never falls into the false belief that he has become an expert in gambling and can outsmart any machine in the casino, because even the smallest win in a game of gambling is unpredictable.

• Financial limits

  An important part of the gambling and lottery law is the necessity of having a license to operate a casino (whether brick-and-mortar or online) in the United Kingdom. At the same time, it is also true that every casino operator must comply with various measures to protect their players, which also include the possibility of financial limits.

  What financial limits can you set in a casino?

  There are many options, from daily limits on lost money, the highest possible bet to the possibility of re-login after the last logout from the game. Thanks to the appropriate setting of financial limits, you will avoid the risk of higher money losses and subsequent difficulties arising from this.

• Self-exclusion

  Self-exclusion from gambling is one of the most effective ways to start solving the problem of pathological gambling or effectively prevent it. A player can voluntarily register in the Register of Excluded Persons for a fixed period or permanently.

  Here are the main options available:

  •  GAMSTOP (Free, National Self-Exclusion) – The UK’s official free self-exclusion scheme for online gambling. You register once on gamstop.co.uk and choose how long you want to be excluded (6 months, 1 year, or 5 years). After signing up, you won’t be able to access or create accounts with any UK-licensed online gambling sites.
  • MOSES (Multi-Operator Self-Exclusion Scheme). Covers betting shops on the high street (e.g., Ladbrokes, William Hill, Coral). You can call 0800 294 2060 to request self-exclusion from multiple bookmakers at once.
  • SENSE (Self-Exclusion National Scheme). Specifically for land-based casinos in the UK. If you join SENSE, you’ll be refused entry to all casinos that are part of the scheme.
  • Individual Casino Exclusion. You can also directly ask any gambling operator (online or offline) to close your account and exclude you. Most UK sites make this easy under their “responsible gambling” or “safer gambling” section.
  • Banking & Blocking Tools. You can use bank card blocking features (offered by most UK banks) to block gambling transactions.

  You can also install blocking software like Gamban, which prevents access to gambling sites and apps across your devices.

  ⚠️ If you’re struggling, you can also reach out to GamCare (0808 8020 133, free helpline) for confidential advice and support.

• Age verification and privacy protection

  Thanks to age control, minors are not allowed to enter the premises of the brick-and-mortar and online casinos.
  All personal data of players is also subject to protection. The gambling operator is obliged to secure and also respect sensitive data and always handle it in accordance with applicable law.

• Player support and assistance

  • Every risky gambler must, if necessary, be provided with contact with experts in the given field and organizations that could help on the way to stopping pathological gambling. At the same time, empathetic behavior and support for the player in a difficult life situation are always in place, and therefore it is crucial to know the basic signs of gambling tendencies.List of websites for help with gambling problems:Gamble Advice: www.gambleaware.org/
    Online counseling:  www.gamcare.org.uk/
    National Health Service website: National Gambling Clinic

• Advertising and marketing

  Gambling advertising and marketing must be approached responsibly and without targeted manipulation. The key is to protect minors and risk groups who are more susceptible to gambling.

  What does preventing irresponsible gambling through advertising mean in practice? For example, a gambling operator will not place an advertising flyer in the waiting room for people in financial need at the employment office.

• Cooperation and regulation

  By working with regulatory authorities and gambling experts, the operator prevents the increased risk of irresponsible gambling at its premises. At the same time, it is also crucial to follow applicable gambling laws and guidelines, which help players play responsibly.