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Responsible Gaming
Slots should be entertainment, not a source of stress or financial pressure. I wrote this page because I've seen how easily the line between fun and compulsion gets blurred. If you're worried about your own habits — or someone else's — this page has the tools and resources to help.
Gambling should be fun, not a source of stress. Play responsibly.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling doesn't happen overnight. It creeps in slowly, and it's not always obvious when fun starts turning into something unhealthy. These are the warning signs worth paying attention to.
- Chasing Losses: Continuing to gamble trying to recover money you've already lost.
- Spending Beyond Your Means: Using money meant for bills, rent, or food to gamble.
- Lying About Gambling: Hiding how much you're actually gambling from people close to you.
- Neglecting Responsibilities: Skipping work, ignoring family, or pulling away from friends because of gambling.
- Emotional Distress: Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when you can't gamble.
- Borrowing Money: Borrowing money — from anyone, anywhere — specifically to gamble.
- Inability to Stop: Trying to quit or cut back but not being able to, even when you genuinely want to.
If even one or two of these sound familiar — whether it's you or someone you care about — that's enough reason to pause and reach out for support. There's zero shame in it.
Self-Assessment Quiz
Answer these five questions honestly. This isn't a clinical diagnosis, but it can flag whether your habits might be heading in the wrong direction.
1. Have you ever gambled with money you could not afford to lose?
2. Have you ever felt the need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the same level of excitement?
3. Have you ever lied to friends or family members about how much time or money you spend gambling?
4. Have you ever felt restless, anxious, or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling?
5. Have you ever tried to win back money you previously lost by gambling more (chasing losses)?
Setting Limits Guide
The simplest thing you can do to stay in control? Set limits before you start playing. Not during, not after — before.
Deposit Limits
Set a daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limit at your chosen casino. Most decent casinos let you set these directly in your account settings. Once the limit is reached, you won't be able to deposit additional funds until the next period begins. This is one of the simplest and most powerful tools available to players.
Loss Limits
Decide the most you're willing to lose in a single session, day, or week. When you reach that threshold, stop playing immediately regardless of how you feel. Don't chase losses. Accept it, walk away, and come back another day with a clear head.
Time Limits
Set a timer before each gambling session. Whether it's 30 minutes, one hour, or two hours, commit to stopping when the timer goes off. Long sessions lead to fatigue and worse decisions. Take regular breaks and step away from the screen to maintain clarity.
Wagering Limits
Decide your max bet per spin before you start. A common guideline is to never wager more than 1-2% of your total bankroll on a single bet. This approach extends your playing time, reduces volatility, and keeps you in the game longer without the risk of devastating single-bet losses.
Help Resources
If gambling is causing problems in your life — or in someone else's — these organisations can help. All of them are free and confidential. Reaching out is the hardest part, but it's also the most important.
BeGambleAware
Free, confidential advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling in the UK. Offers tools, resources, and a national helpline.
Visit begambleaware.orgGamCare
Leading UK provider of information, advice, and support for anyone affected by gambling. Offers a free helpline and live chat service available 24/7.
Visit gamcare.org.ukNational Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
The US national advocacy organisation for programs and services to assist people with gambling problems. Operates the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Visit ncpgambling.orgGamblers Anonymous
A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to recover from a gambling problem. Meetings are held worldwide, both in-person and online.
Visit gamblersanonymous.orgCooling-Off Periods
A cooling-off period is a temporary break from gambling that you can activate through your casino account. During this time, you won't be able to log in, deposit, or place bets. Most licensed casinos offer cooling-off periods ranging from 24 hours to six months. This is an excellent tool for players who feel they need a short break to regain perspective without committing to a full self-exclusion.
Use the break to step back and honestly assess whether gambling is still fun for you — or whether it's become something else.
How to activate a cooling-off period:
- Log in to your casino account and go to the responsible gaming or account settings section.
- Select the "Cooling-Off" or "Take a Break" option.
- Choose your preferred duration (24 hours, 7 days, 30 days, or longer).
- Confirm your selection. Your account will be temporarily suspended for the chosen period.
Self-Exclusion Tools
Self-exclusion is a more serious commitment than a cooling-off period. When you self-exclude, you voluntarily ban yourself from gambling at specific casinos or across entire networks for a set period, typically between six months and five years, or even permanently. This tool is designed for players who know they've got a serious gambling problem and need external restrictions to help them stop.
During a self-exclusion period, the casino is legally required to close your account, return any remaining balance, and ensure you cannot open new accounts. You will also be removed from marketing communications and promotional offers.
GAMSTOP (UK)
Free service that allows you to self-exclude from all UKGC-licensed online gambling companies for a period of 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. Once registered, all participating operators must block your access.
Casino Self-Exclusion
Most reputable online casinos offer their own self-exclusion programme directly through account settings. Contact the casino's support team or check their responsible gaming page for specific instructions on how to self-exclude from their platform.
Blocking Software
Consider installing gambling-blocking software such as Gamban or BetBlocker on your devices. These tools prevent access to thousands of gambling websites and apps, providing an additional layer of protection beyond casino-level self-exclusion.
Asking for help isn't weakness — it's probably the strongest thing you can do. If gambling stopped being fun a while ago, it's time to step away.