Responsible Gambling
Gambling can be an enjoyable pastime, but it carries real risks — and those risks can escalate quickly when the right controls are not in place. This page sets out the support tools available to UK players, how self-exclusion works (including options beyond the national scheme), and where to get help if gambling has stopped feeling like a choice.
New Online Casinos is an independent comparison site. We may earn commission when you visit a casino through our links — this does not affect our editorial assessments. See our Terms and Conditions for full disclosure, and our main casino listings for how we rank sites.
Recognising Problem Gambling
Problem gambling does not always look dramatic. It can develop gradually and is often rationalised at each stage. The following signs are worth taking seriously, whether they apply to you or someone you care about.
- Spending more than you intended, or more than you can afford, on a regular basis
- Chasing losses — placing further bets to try to recover money already lost
- Gambling to relieve stress, anxiety or low mood rather than for entertainment
- Concealing the amount you gamble from family or friends
- Neglecting work, relationships or other responsibilities because of gambling time
- Feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut down or stop
- Borrowing money, selling possessions or using credit to fund gambling
If several of these apply, speaking to a support organisation is a straightforward next step — not a commitment to anything, just a conversation.
Free Support Organisations in the UK
All of the following services are free, confidential and available to UK residents.
| Organisation | What they offer | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| GamCare | Free counselling, online chat, peer support forums and a national helpline | 0808 8020 133 (24/7) |
| Gamblers Anonymous | Peer-led 12-step support groups across the UK | 0330 094 0322 |
| GamAnon | Support specifically for family members and friends affected by someone else's gambling | 08700 50 88 80 |
| BeGambleAware | Advice, self-assessment tools and referrals to local treatment services | 0808 8020 133 |
| Gordon Moody | Residential and online treatment programmes for severe gambling problems | 01384 241292 |
| NHS Northern Gambling Service | Free specialist NHS treatment for gambling disorder — no referral required in many areas | Via NHS website |
Self-Exclusion: How It Works in the UK
Self-exclusion is a formal request to a gambling operator — or a coordinating body — to block your access to their services for a set period. It is one of the most effective controls available.
GAMSTOP — the national self-exclusion scheme
GAMSTOP is a free UK-wide service that lets you register a single self-exclusion covering all online gambling sites licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Once registered, participating operators are required to block your account. You can choose an exclusion period of six months, one year or five years. It is free to register at gamstop.co.uk and takes only a few minutes.
Important conditions to be aware of:
- GAMSTOP only covers operators holding a UK Gambling Commission licence. Casinos licensed overseas are not part of the scheme.
- You cannot lift a GAMSTOP exclusion before the chosen period ends.
- It does not close existing accounts automatically — you may need to request that separately with each operator.
- It does not block access to lottery, bingo or betting terminals in retail premises.
Self-excluding from individual casinos not on GAMSTOP
Casinos licensed outside the UK — including the sites listed on New Online Casinos — are not connected to GAMSTOP. Each has its own responsible gambling tools and self-exclusion process, usually found in the account settings or by contacting customer support directly. If you want to exclude yourself from a specific site, contact that site's support team and request a self-exclusion in writing. Keep a record of the request and any confirmation you receive.
Common tools available at individual sites include:
- Deposit limits — set a daily, weekly or monthly cap on how much you can deposit
- Loss limits — cap the amount you can lose over a given period
- Session time limits — receive an alert or automatic log-out after a set time
- Reality checks — on-screen reminders showing how long you have been playing and how much you have wagered
- Cool-off periods — temporarily suspend your account for 24 hours to 30 days
- Self-exclusion — close your account for a longer defined period
Blocking software
For an additional layer of protection, blocking software can prevent gambling websites from loading on your devices entirely. Gamban is one widely used option that works across multiple devices and is difficult to circumvent. Betfilter and Net Nanny offer similar functionality. Some banks — including several major UK high-street banks — also allow you to block gambling transactions directly from your mobile banking app.
Staying in Control: Practical Checks
Self-exclusion is not the only tool. The following habits help keep gambling within comfortable limits before things become difficult.
- Set a budget before you start — decide in advance what you are willing to spend, treat it as an entertainment cost and stop when it is gone.
- Never gamble with money you need for essentials — rent, bills, food and debt repayments come first.
- Avoid gambling when your mood is low — stress, anxiety and alcohol all affect decision-making.
- Track your actual spending — most sites provide a transaction history; use it honestly.
- Take regular breaks — stepping away mid-session prevents the kind of absorbed state where limits slip.
- Talk to someone you trust — accountability to another person is one of the most effective moderating forces.
Responsible Gambling and Bonuses
Bonus offers — welcome packages, free spins, cashback promotions — are a standard feature at online casinos, including the sites listed on New Online Casinos. They can add value, but they also come with conditions (wagering requirements, game restrictions, time limits) that can encourage longer or higher-stakes play than you originally intended.
Before accepting any bonus, read the terms. If meeting the wagering requirement would push your spending beyond what you are comfortable with, it is entirely reasonable to decline the bonus and deposit without one. Responsible play always outweighs the value of a promotional offer.
A Note on Underage Gambling
All gambling services featured on New Online Casinos are strictly for adults aged 18 and over. If you share devices with younger people, consider using parental controls or device-level content filters to prevent access to gambling websites. GamCare's Youthline (via the GamCare helpline) provides support for young people who have developed a gambling problem.
How to Get Help Right Now
If you need to speak to someone today:
- National Gambling Helpline (GamCare / BeGambleAware): 0808 8020 133 — free, confidential, available 24 hours a day
- Samaritans (if gambling is affecting your mental health): 116 123 — free, 24/7
- Online chat: available at gamcare.org.uk any time
You do not need to be in crisis to call. These services support everyone from people who have a nagging worry about their habits to those in serious difficulty.
If you have a question about how New Online Casinos operates or how we assess the sites we list, visit our About Us page or get in touch directly.