The Responsible Gambling Strategy Boards advice on the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms 2019 2022
They’ll work with you to find the right type of support based on your individual circumstances. Whether it’s a friend, a family member, or a professional, telling someone what you’re going through breaks the cycle of secrecy that often accompanies problem gambling. Recognising that gambling has become a problem is the hardest and most important step. But it can also make it harder to step away because you feel connected to the other players and the chat moderators.
What Every UK Player Should Know About Responsible Gambling in 2026
Although there may be some generally accepted levels of what constitutes problem gambling, the boundaries are individual. What we don’t want is for things to get out of control, and for gambling to have a negative impact on you and your life. Choose from a range of free, confidential and tailored support near you. If you’re impacted by someone’s gambling there are things that can help.
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.
Independent UK casino reviews built on real-money testing, transparent methodology, and editorial integrity. Once your GamStop self-exclusion period is set, it cannot be shortened or reversed early. If you find that gambling is taking time away from hobbies, socialising, exercise, or time with family, that is a sign to reassess.
If you also like a flutter but don’t fancy getting fleeced, welcome to our safe gambling club. Did you know that over 22 million people gamble each year in the UK? Research commissioning and governance procedure
Once registered, you can set exclusions for six months, one year, or five years. The good news is that once recognised, problem gambling is highly treatable with the right support in place. A platform that hides these tools in the small print or makes them difficult to use isn’t prioritising its players. At its heart, responsible gambling comes down to a handful of core principles that any operator worth its salt should uphold. But with that convenience comes a responsibility — both on the part of operators and players — to keep things safe and enjoyable.
In February 2018, the Commission fined British bookmaker William Hill £6.2 million for not protecting players after a series of systematic failures to prevent money laundering. They also collaborate with other UK organisations and the police in cases where suspicious betting or gambling activities are detected. Apart from reviewing the activities of the licensed operators, the Commission is authorised to take regulatory actions against those licencees who breach the rules in some way. For remote gambling, the Commission issues licences to those operators whose remote gambling equipment is located in the territory of Great Britain. The Commission issues licences to gambling operators, can levy fines and revoke licences, and is tasked with investigating and prosecuting illegal gambling.
Always check for a UKGC licence before signing up at an online casino. Furthermore, they do not have reliable measures in place to protect players from gambling-related harm. Such operators do not comply with UK gambling laws and regulations. Those groups should not be allowed to participate in real money gambling. It should also be noted that certain groups of vulnerable people are especially susceptible to the dangers of gambling-related harm.
People get chances to take some time off gambling, reconsider their actions, and prevent overindulgence and impulsiveness. In the context of responsible gambling, breaks are vital as they help to preserve a healthy balance between gaming activities and other areas of life. There are several key principles that underpin responsible gambling to foster a safer environment for all.
As mentioned above, players also have the ability to use a number of tools provided by UKGC licensed gambling operators. With responsible gambling tools casino platforms allow players to pre-commit amounts before a session begins. Browse our full casino comparison to find UKGC, MGA, and GLA licensed operators with strong responsible gambling credentials. Most UKGC-licensed casinos offer session time reminders that alert you after a set period of play. A single GamStop registration (which takes approximately five minutes at gamstop.co.uk) prevents you from depositing at any licensed UK online casino, bookmaker, or bingo site for the period you choose (six months, one year, or five years). GamStop is the national multi-operator self-exclusion scheme that registers your exclusion across all UKGC-licensed online gambling operators simultaneously.
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.
- One of the clearest indicators of a trustworthy casino is how quickly and smoothly it processes withdrawals.
- Its priorities include licensing, enforcing the Gambling Act, and promoting responsible gambling across all platforms.
- As the iGaming industry continues to expand, so does the responsibility to ensure a safer gambling environment for players.
- Linked to that the group failed in some money laundering checks, allowing customers to make large deposits without appropriate due diligence.
- Deposit limits allow players to set maximum amounts they can deposit into their betting accounts over specified time periods.
As the detailed implementation of the review now begins, we will also be reiterating to all operators that the Commission will strongly maintain its focus on consumer protection and compliance. This White Paper is a coherent package of proposals which we believe can significantly support and protect consumers, and improve overall standards in the industry. Given the correct new online casinos powers and resources, the Gambling Commission can continue to make gambling safer, fairer and crime free. The measures we are announcing will protect at-risk players, while allowing the millions who bet regularly to do so unhindered.
Find the right support for you
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.
You can get advice and support tailored to your situation based on the results. Visitors can take a short quiz to determine how gambling impacts them or someone they care about. The GambleAware website includes various resources for UK residents who are affected by problem gambling. It has a framework with the UKGC to commission the National Gambling Support Network.
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.
The UK Gambling Commission plays a crucial role in keeping the UK’s betting industry transparent and safe. We publish expert analyses and guides based on real experience within the betting industry. Our goal is to educate and inform – helping UK bettors understand both the opportunities and the risks of gambling.
Information and Support
Some services will allow you to exclude from both online and betting shop gambling. This allows you to exclude your-self from betting with that operator for a set period of time. Another customer was able to fund their account to the tune of £230,000 over 8 months but were only contacted a single time by online chat. The case related specifically to 10 players who were allowed to deposit money gained from criminal activity over a period from November 2014 to August 2016.
Prepare once, then reuse the same pack across services to save time and keep conversations focused. Clinics will signpost money help where debts or arrears slow progress. Expect clear explanations, practical tasks between sessions, and support that aids change across 2025. Below are well used organisations, contacts, official sites, and features, so choices feel simple.
The commission can also enforce any provisions from the LCCP, imposing fines and suspending licenses if they find infractions. The application process for a UKGC gambling licence typically takes around 4 months. Note that the LCCP is not static, the UKGC is constantly making amendments and additions to take account of developments in the industry. Each of the sections lay out a number of provisions which must be met by qualifying operators who wish to legally run in the UK. In order for an operator to receive a licence from the UKGC they must adhere to the rules and conditions set out in the Licence Conditions & Codes of Practice (LCCP).
These organisations can help whether you are concerned about your own gambling, worried about someone else, or dealing with the financial consequences of gambling-related harm. When activated, the block prevents your debit card from processing payments to gambling merchants. Built-in parental controls on iOS (Screen Time) and Android (Family Link) can also be configured to block gambling content. Net Nanny is a parental control software that includes the ability to block gambling content among its website filtering categories.