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Gambling Commission sets new rules on action for at risk customers

Whether you’re concerned about your own gambling or that of someone close to you, GamCare is an excellent first point of contact. They also offer live chat support and a structured counselling programme. The 24/7 accessibility, fast-paced game design, and private nature of online play can accelerate the development of problematic habits. Gambling-related harm is treatable, and support is freely available in the UK. It’s often the first signal that gambling has shifted from leisure to something more problematic. Some platforms make these available in real time; others generate monthly summaries.

NHS gambling addiction treatment and the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) provide accessible help. Sharing experiences with someone trusted reduces secrecy and clears the way for formal support. Screening with a self-assessment gambling risk test helps capture patterns objectively. The table below shows common money-related warnings and practical responses. Contacting a debt advice service early prevents escalation and supports recovery.

Millions of people enjoy gambling every year – whether that be putting money on a horse, playing at a casino, or a bet on the football – and much of this is now done through smartphones. The new levy will apply to all gambling operators licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and will cover both online and real-life-based operators. These include deposit/loss limits, time-outs and self exclusion and reality checks. GAMSTOP is a free self-exclusion service that helps prevent users from using gambling websites and apps run by companies licensed in Great Britain.

Acting on responsible gambling advice early makes change possible before harm deepens. Keep judgment steady by pausing, noting purpose, and resetting limits before any next step. The aim is practical—set limits, choose with knowledge, and keep risk low. Browse our full casino comparison to find a safe, licensed casino that meets your needs. However, GamStop is the more comprehensive option as it covers all UKGC-licensed operators simultaneously with a single registration. If a casino is not part of GamStop, it is either not licensed by the UKGC or is in serious breach of its licence conditions.

As it stands not all betting new casinos companies pay their fair share and some have paid as little as £1. The first statutory gambling operator levy will replace the current voluntary levy which is not fit for purpose. It will be designed to improve standards where gambling sponsorship is prevalent in sport similar to what is in place in the alcohol industry.

Calculate the cost of your gambling with our Cost2Play Calculator. If you’re worried about a gambling problem, take the Gambling Self-Assessment Quiz. Find out how to talk to your teenager before they experience problems with gambling. While teens and gambling don’t mix, many are already placing bets at school and buying virtual loot boxes. Find out why year olds are at a high risk of developing gambling problems and how to spot the signs.

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You cannot remove your self-exclusion until your selected duration period has elapsed. You can update your details on the GAMSTOP website during the exclusion period. It can take up to 24 hours for your self-exclusion to become effective.

Get the facts about teens and gambling so you can spot risky behaviour before it becomes a problem. Find out why some groups are more likely than others to develop a gambling problem. Gambling too often or playing for the wrong reasons, can lead to experiencing gambling harms. Learn the low-risk strategies that can help keep gambling safe and fun.

GambleAware

New powers will be given to the Gambling Commission to tackle and block unlicensed black market gambling firms from operating in the United Kingdom. These checks will happen instantaneously, and will not impact gameplay, unless there are signs of financial harm where people may have declared bankruptcy, or are racking up debts to fund their gambling. The rate will be subject to further consultation, which will take into account factors such as business size, operating costs and problem gambling rates. Outdated and overly restrictive rules on gaming machines will be reformed so casinos and arcades can have more machines. Bingo halls, seaside arcades and casinos create employment, generate tourism and provide entertainment. A statutory levy will help problem gamblers access the right care at the right time, complementing our commitment to provide NHS gambling addiction treatment clinics in every region across the country.

Stealing or borrowing money to fund gambling habits or to pay off debts Responsible gambling is about staying in control of your gambling habits to ensure it remains a fun and enjoyable pastime. Take charge of your casino experience with our ultimate guide to safer gambling in the UK.

You can change your cookie settings at any time. Most people who gamble do so safely, but gambling can be harmful for some. You have the best chance of getting your money back.

Some areas of gambling are handled by other organisations. If you have information about suspicious activity or criminality related to the gambling industry, you can tell us in confidence. Our guides can help you if you have a complaint about a gambling business, bet or transaction and how to raise a complaint. The Safer Gambling Week website encourages people to talk and take action to bet responsibly. It highlighted the safeguards put in place by the regulated industry, in stark contrast to the unlicensed black market. Safer Gambling Week is a cross-industry initiative to promote safer gambling in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

To explore how the industry is evolving to meet these challenges, we spoke with Andreas Ditsche, CEO of iGaming, and a leading advocate for safer gambling. The same survey revealed 31% of British punters had placed bets on unregulated betting platforms, including prediction markets platforms like Polymarket. To realize this, bookmakers are required to ensure that online wagering promotions are not aired to minors. The Committee of Advertising Practice, which is responsible for penning advertising codes in the UK, announced new rules aimed at protecting children under the age of 18 from content promoting gambling. By 2013, the UK media regulator Ofcom reported that this approach had led to a seven-fold increase in the number of gambling ads that were aired on the TV. According to the NHS Long Term Plan more than 400,000 people in England are problem gamblers and two million people are at risk.

In most cases, the only effective tool to avoid underage users is the age verification process, and many operators only enforce this process during prize redemptions. A core aspect of our activity is preventing underage gambling. If you’re someone who is easily tempted to reverse withdrawals it may be best to join a gaming site with a short pending period time frame and one which also offers manual flushing. At some sites, you can manually flush the request which stops you from reversing the withdrawal.

Deposit Limits

The practical side of responsible gambling is where operators really prove themselves. For affiliate sites like this one, covering responsible gambling isn’t just a regulatory box to tick. Online casinos have transformed the way people gamble, making it easier than ever to enjoy a flutter from the comfort of your sofa. Keep limits realistic and seek support if gambling stops feeling controlled. Walk away or let those responsible gambling tools do their thing. Use all the available safe gambling tools at your casino.

Over the past few years, the UKGC has introduced a wave of new regulations aimed at protecting players. Every legitimate casino, bingo site, or sportsbook operating in the UK must hold a UKGC licence. This guide isn’t here to lecture you or tell you gambling is bad. In 2026, the UK gambling landscape looks different from even a few years ago.

The UKGC mandates that all licensed operators provide tools including deposit limits, GAMSTOP self-exclusion, loss limits, reality checks, and session timers. Deposit limits allow you to cap the amount of money you can deposit into your casino account over a set period. The Gambling Commission regulates arcades, betting, bingo, casinos, gaming machine providers, gambling software providers, lottery operators, external lottery managers and remote gambling (online and by phone) that use British-based equipment. Whereas there are many tools for responsible gambling even on casino sites that are not on GamStop self-exclusion program, the topic requires an in-depth overview to fully comprehend its nuances. Legit online casinos offer responsible gambling tools that help you control your gambling activity. Using the tools offered by licensed operators – such as deposit limits, timeouts, and reality checks – can help you stay in control.

• They also fund services to ensure access to support across the UK.
• Prepare once, then reuse the same pack across services to save time and keep conversations focused.
• Licensing is a key part of the regulation process, requiring operators to file for specific gambling licenses before they can run legally in the UK.
• If a system could consistently beat the casino, the casino would change the game.

Under UK gambling laws, anyone aged 18 or over can gamble online. It also offers a dedicated service for families and friends affected by gambling issues, ensuring comprehensive support for everyone impacted. Gamblers Anonymous (GA) offers recovery programmes and peer support groups for anyone affected by problem gambling. Betknowmore UK offers community-based support, including mentoring and therapy, aimed at addressing gambling harm and building recovery. GambleAware provides tools, treatment options and education to help prevent and tackle gambling harm.

All UKGC-licensed gambling sites have strict procedures to prevent underage gambling. However, all online casino operators must hold a Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence to operate legally in the UK. You can use GamBlock if you’re worried about resorting to VPNs to access online gambling sites. It also offers free advice on responsible gambling for UK players. The Gamban tool lets you instantly block internet access to thousands of online gambling sites.

Gambling and children and young people 2018 Advice to the Gambling Commission on actions to reduce online harms ABSG advice on proposals for a voluntary code on deposit thresholds, February 2025 Apply to the Gambling Commission for a personal gambling licence or a gambling operating licence if you run or manage a gambling business.

Reality checks are periodic notifications that remind players of the time they’ve spent gambling and their current balance. Self-exclusion is a more severe measure that allows players to block access to their accounts for extended periods, usually 6 months to 5 years or even permanently. Loss limits restrict the amount a player can lose within a set time frame. This article explores the various responsible gambling tools and resources available to UK bettors, both from third-party organizations and bookmakers themselves.

It’s important to be truthful when completing these self-assessment tests to get an accurate depiction of your gambling behaviour. There are many self-assessment tools available, and we’ve gathered great resources on this page to help you access some of these tools. One way to stay in control is by frequently assessing your gambling habits.

Reaching out to one of the organisations above can help you put more comprehensive support in place. It sounds simple, but having that mental commitment in place before you start is what separates recreational gambling from problem gambling. Start by deciding on a monthly gambling budget that you can genuinely afford to lose — not a figure that requires cutting back on essentials. Curaçao licences are more permissive, which is why due diligence matters more when playing at a Curaçao-licensed non GamStop site. Before signing up to any casino not on GamStop, it pays to do a bit of due diligence. This doesn’t automatically make them irresponsible, but it does mean players need to be more proactive about managing their own behaviour.