Responsible gambling: practical tools and where to get help
Gambling with real money is paid entertainment with an expected cost in the house's favour. It can become a problem, and the signs are well known. This page gathers the tools that help you stay within your limits and the places to turn to for help.
If gambling is causing you problems: Free, confidential support is available from Gambling Therapy (online chat and forums in many languages) and from Gamblers Anonymous (meeting finder).
Account tools
| Tool | What it does | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Daily, weekly or monthly ceiling | Lowering is immediate; raising involves a wait |
| Time limit | Maximum session length | Warning or logout when reached |
| Reality check | Periodic message with time and balance | Interrupts autopilot play |
| Cool-off | Account paused for a short period | Not the same as self-exclusion |
| Self-exclusion | Account closed for a long period or indefinitely | Self-exclusion |
Bonuses and personal limits
A high wagering requirement pushes you to play more to clear it. With a limit of 100 a month and a bonus at 35x on deposit plus bonus (illustrative example, not Joe's actual terms), a 7,000 requirement is out of proportion with the budget. Declining the bonus is often the choice that fits your own limit. See Bonus.
Signs not to ignore
- Playing to win back losses.
- Raising stakes to feel the same excitement.
- Hiding gambling from family or friends.
- Using money meant for other things, or borrowing.
- Feeling irritable when trying to stop.
Tools outside the account
Banking apps often let you block gambling payments. Phones have screen-time limits per app and site. Blocking software for gambling sites can be installed on your own devices. Combined, they put several barriers between an impulse and a bet.
Help that is free
Gambling Therapy, run by the Gordon Moody charity, offers free online support, chat and forums in many languages. Gamblers Anonymous is a mutual-help fellowship with a meeting finder. Many countries also have national helplines; your local health services can point you to them.
Minors
Gambling is for adults only. On shared devices, do not save logins, and use parental controls.