Stay in control · 18+
Responsible gambling
Betting should be entertainment you can comfortably afford — never a way to make money or chase losses. This page gathers the practical tools and free UK support worth knowing about.
You must be 18 or overIt is illegal to gamble in the UK if you are under 18. Licensed operators verify age and identity, and you should never let anyone under 18 use a betting account.
Signs it might be becoming a problem
- Betting more than you planned, or more than you can afford to lose.
- Chasing losses with bigger or more frequent bets.
- Borrowing money, or feeling anxious or secretive about betting.
- Betting to escape stress rather than for entertainment.
If any of that feels familiar, it is worth pausing and reaching out. None of the organisations below will judge you, and their help is free and confidential.
Free, independent UK support
These services are independent of BritBetBoard and of any operator.
Practical tools you can use today
- Deposit limits — cap what you can pay in daily, weekly or monthly. Set them at sign-up.
- Time-outs — take a short break from an account, from 24 hours to several weeks.
- Reality checks — on-screen reminders of how long you have been playing.
- Self-exclusion — block yourself from an operator for a longer set period.
- GAMSTOP — one registration that self-excludes you across licensed GB online operators.
A simple habitDecide your budget before you start, treat it as the cost of entertainment, and walk away when it's gone. Never bet money you need for essentials, and never chase a loss — the odds do not owe you anything back.
If you need to talk now
GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline, free on 0808 8020 133, open 24 hours a day. You can also use the live chat on the GamCare website. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services.