Dirty Footprints Studio explains how casino games work. Gambling is restricted to adults, meaning you have to be at least 18. It should remain a form of paid entertainment, similar to a cinema ticket. It isn't a method for earning money or sorting out money worries.
Signs it's becoming a problem
- Using more time or money than you planned
- Trying to recover lost funds to win back what's gone
- Taking loans, or spending cash intended for food, bills or rent
- Concealing your gambling habits from those near you
- Experiencing low mood, irritability or anxiety regarding gambling
- Gambling crowding out family, friends or work
If any of these feel familiar, it's worth reaching out sooner rather than later.
Limits you can set
- Establish a budget before beginning and consider it gone
- Create a time limit and set an alarm to ensure you follow it
- Do not use borrowed money to gamble
- Steer clear of playing if you've been drinking or feel low or stressed
- Have days off and take breaks frequently
- Apply time-outs and deposit limits to your accounts
Where to get help
National Gambling Helpline (gamcare.org.uk). The charity GamCare established and operates this helpline. Call 0808 8020 133 for free in Scotland and England. It stays open every day of the year, 24 hours a day. You can also use live chat or message an adviser via WhatsApp on 0808 8020 133, both of which are available 24/7. Call the gambling support helpline free on 0808 2819 265 in Wales.
GAMSTOP (gamstop.co.uk). A free self-exclusion service is provided by GAMSTOP. It assists in blocking apps, websites and services from gambling operators, including those that launch in the future. To register:
- Give your title, full name, date of birth, email address, mobile number and home address(es).
- Verify your identity and your email.
- Pick a minimum exclusion period: one year, six months, five years, or five years with auto-renewal.
You can contact the GAMSTOP Contact Centre at [email protected] or on 0800 138 6518.
GambleAware (gambleaware.org). Free support, tools and advice are offered by GambleAware to people in Great Britain. A service finder for confidential, free local support and a self-assessment for gambling harms are among its tools.
Gamban blocking software is free in Wales. In England and Scotland it has needed a subscription, after a 7-day free trial, since the TalkBanStop campaign that made it free ended on 31 March 2026.