Gambling as entertainment, not income
Gambling should be something you do for fun, like going to the cinema or meeting friends – not a way to make money or solve money worries. When it stops feeling enjoyable or starts taking up more time and money than you planned, that is a sign to pause and think about what is happening.
The longer you gamble, the harder it can be to stop. If you notice yourself thinking about gambling often, chasing losses (playing more to win back money you lost), or hiding how much you are gambling, these are real warnings that something has shifted.
Questions to ask yourself
A quick self-check can help you spot whether gambling has become a problem. Answer honestly:
- Do you gamble more often or with more money than you originally planned?
- Have you tried to cut down or stop and found it difficult?
- Do you feel restless or irritable when you try to take a break?
- Do you gamble to escape difficult feelings or to forget problems?
- After losing money, do you feel an urge to play again to win it back?
- Have you lied to friends or family about how much you gamble?
- Has gambling caused arguments with people close to you?
- Have you borrowed money to gamble, or gambled with money meant for bills or essentials?
If you recognised yourself in several of these questions, speaking to someone can help – whether that is a friend, family member or a professional support service.
Limits you can set
Gambling sites licensed in Great Britain must offer you tools to control your play. These tools work best when you set them before you start playing, not after you have already spent more than you meant to.
Deposit limit
This sets a maximum amount you can put into your account in a day, week or month. Once you hit the limit, you cannot add more money until the period resets. Setting one means you cannot accidentally overspend in a moment of excitement.
Time-out
A time-out temporarily closes your account for a period you choose – usually a few days to a few weeks. You cannot log in during this time, but your account and any money in it remain yours. A time-out is useful if you need to step back and think, or if you are going through a stressful time.
Self-exclusion
Self-exclusion locks you out of your account for a longer period – typically months or years. It is harder to reverse than a time-out, so use it when you have decided you need a real break from gambling. You can self-exclude from a single site, or use GamStop to block yourself from all licensed gambling sites in Great Britain at once, free of charge.
Taking a break
If you feel gambling is taking over, you do not have to wait for a crisis to act. Taking a planned break is a practical step that gives you time and space to think clearly.
Tell someone you trust what you are doing – a partner, family member or friend. They can help you stick to your decision and remind you why the break matters. If you set a time-out or self-exclusion, write down the date it ends and what you want to have done or decided by then.
Use the time to do other things. Notice what you do instead of gambling – watch films, go for walks, spend time with people who matter to you. These activities are not just fillers; they remind you that life has substance beyond gambling.
Getting help today
If you are worried about your gambling, or someone else's, help is available right now. You do not need to wait until things get worse, and you do not have to face it alone.
GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 – free, confidential and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can talk to someone by phone, or use their online chat if speaking feels too difficult right now. They can listen, help you think through what is happening, and point you towards the right support for your situation.
BeGambleAware offers free information, self-help tools and counselling. Gordon Moody provides residential and online treatment if you need more intensive support to rebuild your life after gambling harm.
If you share a device – a phone, tablet or computer – with children or young people, consider installing parental-control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio. These tools can restrict access to gambling sites and protect younger people in your home.
Talking to someone close to you
Opening up about gambling feels scary, but silence often makes it worse. A person you trust – a partner, family member, close friend – may surprise you with how they respond. Telling them gives you an ally and makes it harder to hide the problem again.
If you are worried about someone else's gambling, approach them calmly and without anger. Explain what you have noticed, why it concerns you, and that you want to help. Be prepared that they might not be ready to hear it; sometimes the message lands better after they have had time to think.
Friends and family can support you in practical ways: keeping you company on difficult days, helping you stick to limits you have set, or simply checking in to see how you are doing. You do not have to recover alone.
Where to go next
These services are here for you, whether you are starting to worry or you have been struggling for months:
- GamCare – 0808 8020 133 (24/7, free)
- BeGambleAware – information and confidential support
- GamStop – self-exclude from all licensed sites
- Gordon Moody – residential and online treatment
- Gamban – paid software that blocks gambling sites
- BetBlocker – free multi-platform blocking tool
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