Responsible gambling
Gambling should be a paid-for bit of fun with a fixed budget, and if it stops feeling that way, free and confidential help is available across the UK.
Need to talk to someone now?
National Gambling Helpline (GamCare): 0808 8020 133, free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Live chat at gamcare.org.uk.
Gambling is entertainment you pay for
Every casino game has a built-in house edge. Over time the casino wins, which is how it stays in business. A bonus does not change that, and neither does a "system", a lucky slot or a VIP programme. The healthiest way to treat gambling is as money spent on entertainment, like a cinema ticket: decide in advance what you can afford to lose, and stop when it is gone.
This matters especially with big promotions. A welcome package of 777% up to €7,777 or a weekly 400% reload is designed to encourage deposits. If you notice an offer making you deposit more than you planned, that is a signal to step back.
Warning signs to take seriously
- Spending more money or time than you intended, more than once.
- Chasing losses, or depositing again to "win it back".
- Borrowing, using money meant for bills, or hiding gambling from people close to you.
- Feeling anxious, low or irritable when you are not gambling.
- Gambling to escape problems, boredom or stress.
- Repeatedly trying and failing to cut down.
If one or more of these sounds familiar, the services below can help, and none of them will judge you.
Tools that help you stay in control
- Deposit limits. Set a daily, weekly or monthly cap before you start. Decreases should apply straight away; increases normally take longer to apply.
- Reality checks. Pop-up reminders showing how long you have been playing.
- Time-outs. A short break from your account, from a day to several weeks.
- Self-exclusion. Closing your account for a set period of months or years.
- Bank gambling blocks. Most UK high-street and app banks let you block gambling transactions on your debit card from the app, often with a cooling-off delay before the block can be removed.
- Blocking software. Apps that block gambling websites across your devices can add a further barrier.
When we review Trixino Casino, we check how easy these account tools are to find and use. See how we review.
GAMSTOP and why licensing matters
GAMSTOP is a free scheme that lets you exclude yourself from online gambling with all operators licensed by the Gambling Commission for Great Britain, for six months, one year or five years. It only covers GB-licensed operators. A site licensed elsewhere is not bound by it, so if you rely on GAMSTOP, check the licence details in any casino's footer and confirm them on the Gambling Commission's public register. We explain how in Is Trixino Casino safe? If you have self-excluded, please do not look for ways around it.
Free UK support services
| Service | What it offers |
|---|---|
| GamCare, gamcare.org.uk | National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133, live chat, free counselling and support |
| BeGambleAware, begambleaware.org | Self-assessment tools, information and routes into free treatment |
| GAMSTOP, gamstop.co.uk | Self-exclusion from GB-licensed online gambling |
| Gamblers Anonymous UK, gamblersanonymous.org.uk | Peer support meetings across the UK, online and in person |
| NHS National Problem Gambling Clinic | Specialist NHS treatment for people affected by gambling problems; ask your GP or search the NHS website |
| Gordon Moody | Residential and online treatment programmes for gambling addiction |
GamCare also supports family members and friends affected by someone else's gambling.
Under 18? This site is not for you
Gambling is illegal for anyone under 18 in the UK, and this site is written for adults only. Parents can use device-level parental controls and the blocking tools above to keep gambling sites away from children.
Our commitment
We do not use pressure tactics, we do not describe bonuses as free money and we include a safer gambling reminder in every guide. This page is maintained by Priya Shah and re-checked whenever we update the site. If a number or link here is wrong, please tell us straight away.