Scope of this notice
This page is part of Camps Highways, an information portal. Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over. The guidance below applies to online gambling sites licensed in Great Britain and explains the tools and support available to help you stay in control.
The honest framing
Gambling is entertainment, paid for like any other leisure activity. When it stops being fun or starts affecting your finances, relationships or daily routine, something has shifted. No judgement—recognising that shift early is what matters.
Behaviour that should worry you
The following patterns are worth noticing:
- Gambling with money set aside for bills, rent or food
- Chasing losses by placing larger or more frequent bets
- Lying to family or friends about how much you gamble
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to keep gambling
- Feeling anxious, irritable or distracted when you cannot gamble
- Neglecting work, studies or responsibilities
If two or more of these sound familiar, consider taking a break and speaking to someone.
Self-assessment
Ask yourself these questions honestly. There is no score—just awareness.
- Do you gamble more often or for longer than you planned?
- Have you tried to cut back but found it difficult?
- Does gambling feel like a way to escape worry or boredom?
- Has someone close to you expressed concern about your gambling?
- Do you return another day to win back what you lost?
- Have you missed social events, appointments or sleep because of gambling?
A yes to any of these is not a diagnosis. It is a reason to pause and consider what happens next.
Deposit and time controls
Gambling sites licensed by the Gambling Commission must offer players tools to manage their activity. Deposit limits let you cap how much you can add over a day, week or month. Once set, the limit applies immediately or after a short delay, and raising it always takes longer than lowering it.
Session reminders prompt you at intervals you choose, showing how long you have been logged in. Time-outs lock your account for a fixed period—typically between 24 hours and six weeks—during which you cannot deposit or play. Self-exclusion is the strongest option: it closes your account for a minimum period, often six months or longer, and cannot be reversed early.
GamStop is a free national scheme that lets you self-exclude from all gambling sites licensed in Great Britain at once. Registration takes minutes at gamstop.co.uk, and the block lasts for six months, one year or five years. Blocking software such as Gamban (paid subscription) and BetBlocker (free, multi-platform) prevents access to gambling sites across all your devices, including those not covered by GamStop.
Support organisations
Confidential help is available today, at no cost and without needing to give your name.
GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Trained advisers listen, offer practical guidance and connect you with further support if needed.
BeGambleAware provides information, self-assessment tools and referrals to treatment services across the UK.
Gordon Moody offers residential and online treatment for people severely affected by gambling.
If someone close to you is struggling, these organisations support family members and friends as well. A conversation started with a helpline can clarify what help exists and what the next step might be.
Taking a break
Stepping away does not require a reason you can justify to anyone else. A break gives distance, and distance makes it easier to see whether gambling fits the life you want or whether it has become the centre of it. Use the time to reconnect with routines, people and activities that gambling may have edged out.
If you share a device with someone under 18, parental-control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio blocks gambling sites and protects younger users from exposure.
Frequently asked questions
Can I set a deposit limit that applies across multiple gambling sites at once?
No single limit applies across all sites automatically. Each site requires you to set a limit within your account settings. GamStop, however, lets you self-exclude from all licensed sites in Great Britain at once.
What happens if I try to increase a deposit limit I have already set?
An increase takes longer to come into effect than a decrease, typically 24 to 72 hours. This cooling-off period is designed to give you time to reconsider.
Does self-exclusion through GamStop cover betting shops and casino premises?
No. GamStop applies only to online gambling sites licensed in Great Britain. If you want to self-exclude from physical venues, you need to contact each operator separately or speak to a support organisation for guidance.
Can I reverse a self-exclusion period once it has started?
No. Once self-exclusion is active, it cannot be cancelled early. This permanence is intentional and protects you during a vulnerable period.
Is there a cost to call the National Gambling Helpline?
No. The helpline is free to call from landlines and mobiles, and it is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Will using Gamban or BetBlocker stop me accessing all websites, or only gambling sites?
These tools block gambling sites only. You can still browse, shop and use other online services as usual.
Do I need to explain why I want to self-exclude when I register with GamStop?
No. GamStop does not ask for a reason. You provide basic details to confirm your identity, choose a duration and the block begins immediately.