The Review RoomSafer gambling: the tools and free help available in Great Britain
If gambling is costing you more money or time than you intended, you can get free help in Great Britain at any hour. Call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 in England and Scotland or 0808 2819 265 in Wales, free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.[1] To block every GB-licensed gambling website and app at once, register free with GAMSTOP.[2]
GAMSTOP: one registration, every GB-licensed site
GAMSTOP is a free self-exclusion scheme. Once you register, you are blocked from gambling websites and apps licensed in Great Britain for the period you choose, from 6 months to 5 years.[2]
- You cannot cancel early. Once you have registered, the exclusion runs for the full period you picked.[2]
- It does not end automatically. When the period finishes, the exclusion stays in place until you ask for it to be removed.[2]
- It covers GB-licensed sites only. Sites that advertise themselves as "not on GAMSTOP" are outside the scheme, and outside every other GB protection too. If you find one, that is a reason to leave, not to sign up.
Limits you can set at any licensed casino
Most GB-licensed casinos let you set deposit limits, take a short break or self-exclude from that one site in your account settings. A limit you set before you start playing works far better than a decision made mid-session. Two of the rules covered elsewhere on this site work in the same direction. Online slots are capped at £5 a spin, or £2 if you are under 25, with at least 2.5 seconds between spins.[3] And credit cards cannot be used for gambling at all.[4] Our guide to online slot stake limits in the UK explains why a per-spin cap still leaves room for large losses.
Blocking gambling payments at your bank
Many UK banks and card providers let you block payments to gambling businesses from their app. Some add a delay before the block can be lifted, which gives you time to think. Look in your card settings or ask your bank. A bank block and GAMSTOP together cover both the sites and the money.
Signs it may be time to stop
- You spend more than you planned, or more than you can afford to lose.
- You gamble to win back losses.
- You borrow money, or skip bills, to gamble.
- You hide your gambling from people close to you.
- You feel anxious or irritable when you are not gambling.
Any one of these is a reason to talk to someone. The helpline is confidential and does not need you to be in crisis before you call.
Where to get help
- National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (England and Scotland), 0808 2819 265 (Wales). Free, 24/7.[1]
- GAMSTOP: free online self-exclusion from GB-licensed gambling sites and apps, gamstop.co.uk.
- GambleAware: information and links to treatment and support for people in Great Britain, gambleaware.org.[5]
- GamCare: support for anyone affected by gambling, gamcare.org.uk.
Why we put this on every page
Every page on this site carries an 18+ notice and the helpline number. Gambling is entertainment you pay for, and no casino, bonus or system can promise a win. If you are deciding whether a site is safe to use at all, start with our UK casino licence check: only GB-licensed sites are covered by GAMSTOP and the rules above.
Questions people ask
How long does GAMSTOP self-exclusion last?
You choose a period from 6 months to 5 years. It cannot be cancelled during that time, and it stays in place afterwards until you ask for it to be removed.[2]
Is the National Gambling Helpline free?
Yes. It is free and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 0808 8020 133 in England and Scotland and 0808 2819 265 in Wales.[1]
Does GAMSTOP block every online casino?
It blocks gambling websites and apps licensed in Great Britain.[2] Unlicensed sites are not covered, which is one reason to avoid them.