Gambling can stop being fun
When gambling shifts from occasional entertainment to something that feels necessary, or when it causes stress around money, relationships or sleep, it has crossed into harm. You may recognise this in yourself, or you may be watching it happen to someone you care about. The important thing to know is that gambling harm is treatable, and you can change things now.
Questions worth asking yourself
Read through these honestly. If you answer yes to several, it is worth taking action today.
- Do you gamble to escape difficult feelings or memories?
- Have you hidden the amount you gamble or lied about losses?
- Do you feel anxious or irritable when you cannot gamble?
- Have gambling losses affected your ability to pay bills or support your family?
- Have people close to you expressed concern about your gambling?
- Do you chase losses – gambling more to win back what you have lost?
- Have you tried to cut back or stop but found it difficult?
- Do you gamble with money set aside for essential expenses?
Limits you can set right now
Gambling sites licensed by the Gambling Commission must offer you tools to control your gambling. These work at the level of a single site – if you use multiple sites, you need to set limits on each one. These tools cost nothing.
Deposit limits cap how much you can put into an account over a period you choose – daily, weekly or monthly. Once set, you cannot increase it during that period. This stops money disappearing faster than you intended.
Time-outs close your account temporarily – usually from 24 hours to six weeks. You choose the length. Your money stays safe, but you cannot log in or gamble. A time-out is useful when you feel the urge building or after a session you regret.
Self-exclusion is a longer step. It locks you out of an account for six months or more – sometimes years. You can request it to be permanent. You cannot withdraw this yourself during the exclusion period; you must contact the site's support team. Self-exclusion is there for when you know you need to stop.
National tools that work across all sites
GamStop is a free service that lets you self-exclude from every gambling site licensed in Great Britain at once. You register online, choose your exclusion period (6 months to 5 years), and your name goes on a register that all licensed sites check. If you try to open a new account during your exclusion, the site is legally required to block you. You can extend the period or make it permanent, but you cannot shorten it once it is set.
Blocking software works differently. Gamban (paid subscription) and BetBlocker (free) run on your device and prevent you reaching gambling sites across the internet – not just licensed ones. They work on phones, tablets and computers. Blocking software is useful if you share a device or if you want to block unlicensed sites as well.
Practical habits that help
Set a budget for gambling as entertainment only – money you can afford to lose, like the cost of a night out. Once that money is spent, stop. Tell someone you trust what your limit is; saying it aloud makes it real.
Never gamble to recover a loss. Chasing losses almost always leads to bigger losses. If you have lost more than you planned, close the site and do something else – go for a walk, call someone, wait until the urge passes.
Avoid gambling when you are tired, stressed, angry or low. These moments make it easy to gamble more than you intend. If you notice you are using gambling to manage difficult feelings, that is a sign to reach out for help.
Getting help today
You do not have to manage this alone. Help is free, confidential and available now.
GamCare – https://www.gamcare.org.uk – runs the National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7). You can call or chat online. They listen without judgement and help you think through your next step.
BeGambleAware – https://www.begambleaware.org – offers tools for self-assessment and signposts to support services.
Gordon Moody – https://www.gordonmoody.org.uk – provides residential and online treatment for gambling addiction. If you need intensive help, this is a place that understands.
If you are struggling with debt as well as gambling, your local Citizens Advice Bureau can connect you with a debt adviser. Talking to someone trained in both areas makes a real difference.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a time-out and self-exclusion?
A time-out is temporary – you set the length (usually up to six weeks) and your account reopens automatically when it ends. Self-exclusion lasts much longer (typically six months to years or permanent) and you cannot reverse it yourself during the exclusion period. Both stop you accessing the site, but self-exclusion is the stronger choice if you need to stop completely.
Does GamStop block gambling sites outside the UK?
GamStop works only on sites licensed by the Gambling Commission (Great Britain). Unlicensed sites are not on the register. If you want to block all gambling sites including unlicensed ones, use blocking software such as Gamban or BetBlocker on your device instead.
Can I use GamStop and a time-out at the same time?
Yes. You can register with GamStop for long-term protection across all licensed sites and also set a time-out on a specific site if you want immediate control. The tools work together – you are simply adding layers of protection.
What happens if I ignore a deposit limit?
You cannot. Once you set a deposit limit, the site's system blocks any deposit above that amount during the period you chose. The limit is enforced automatically – you have no way to override it until the period ends and you can set a new one.
Is calling the National Gambling Helpline really free and confidential?
Yes. The number 0808 8020 133 is free to call, and GamCare does not record your name or details unless you choose to give them. You can call to talk through what is happening, ask questions or just listen – there is no pressure to do anything other than what feels right for you.
What if I cannot afford to pay for blocking software?
BetBlocker is free and works on phones, tablets and computers. If you want a paid option with extra features, Gamban is a subscription, but you do not need to pay for basic blocking – BetBlocker covers it at no cost.