18+ only. Gambling is for adults. In some countries the minimum age is higher – the local rule always applies.
If gambling is causing you harm, you are not alone and help is free and confidential. You can find support services further down this page.
Gambling is not a way to make money
Casino games are designed so that the house wins over time. Every game has a built-in advantage for the casino, and no strategy, system or bonus changes that in the long run. Treat any money you gamble as the cost of entertainment – money you can afford to lose – never as income, an investment or a way to solve financial problems.
Warning signs
It may be time to stop or seek help if you notice any of the following:
- You spend more money or time gambling than you planned.
- You chase losses – gambling more to win back what you lost.
- You borrow money, sell things or use money meant for bills to gamble.
- You hide your gambling or lie about it to people close to you.
- You feel anxious, irritable or low when you are not gambling, or when you try to cut down.
- Gambling affects your sleep, work, studies or relationships.
- You think about gambling most of the time.
A note on crypto gambling
Gambling with cryptocurrency can make it harder to keep track of how much you are spending. Balances may be shown in coins rather than your local currency, prices move, deposits are fast and there is often no bank statement that shows the total. If you gamble with crypto, write down every deposit in your own currency and compare it with the limit you set yourself.
Practical tools
Most licensed casinos offer tools in the account settings or through customer support. Check what is available before you deposit – our guide casino deposit limits, self-exclusion and reality checks explained shows which tools each casino we profile states in its own documents.
- Deposit limits – a maximum amount you can deposit per day, week or month.
- Loss and wager limits – a cap on how much you can lose or stake over a period.
- Session time limits and reality checks – reminders of how long you have been playing.
- Cooling-off / time-out – a short break, typically from 24 hours to several weeks.
- Self-exclusion – closing your account for a long period (often six months or more). Self-exclusion at one casino does not automatically apply to others.
- National self-exclusion schemes – some countries run schemes that exclude you from all licensed operators at once, for example GAMSTOP in Great Britain (gamstop.co.uk). Other countries run similar schemes – your national regulator or the help services below can point you to the right one.
Set limits before you start playing, not while you are playing. Decreasing a limit usually takes effect immediately; increasing it often involves a waiting period – that is intentional.
Blocking software
Blocking software stops your devices from opening gambling websites and apps. It can be a useful extra layer, especially together with self-exclusion. Examples include:
- Gamban – gamban.com
- BetBlocker (free) – betblocker.org
Many banks also let you block gambling transactions on your card. Ask your bank or check its app.
Where to get help
These organisations offer free, confidential support:
- Gambling Therapy – international online support, live chat and forums in several languages: gamblingtherapy.org
- Gamblers Anonymous – peer support groups worldwide: gamblersanonymous.org
- GamCare (UK) – support and the National Gambling Helpline, 0808 8020 133, available 24/7: gamcare.org.uk
- BeGambleAware (UK) – information, self-assessment and support: begambleaware.org
We list international services first so that help is available wherever you are; country-specific help lines will be added and verified over time.
If you are worried about someone else's gambling, these services can support you too.
If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact your local emergency number now.
Our commitments
- We publish information so you can understand a casino before you deposit – not to encourage you to gamble.
- We never address people who have excluded themselves from gambling, and we do not publish content that helps anyone get around self-exclusion.
- We do not target or promote gambling in markets where such promotion is prohibited.
- Where we have checked it, our casino profiles show which responsible gambling tools a casino states it offers.