Responsible Gambling
Gambling can be an entertaining pastime, but for some people it becomes harmful. This page sets out the tools, resources and steps available to anyone who wants to stay in control — or to step back entirely. Whether you are playing at a UKGC-licensed site or at an online casino not on GamStop, the same principles of responsible gambling apply, and the same support services are available to you.
18+ only. If you are under 18, please leave this site now. Gambling is not appropriate for minors, and reputable operators will verify your age before allowing play.
What Responsible Gambling Actually Means
Responsible gambling is not simply a phrase on a footer — it is a practical set of habits and tools that help you keep gambling within limits you have chosen in advance, rather than in the heat of the moment. The core idea is that decisions about time, money and frequency are made when you are calm, not when you are chasing a loss or riding a winning streak.
Key markers of in-control gambling include:
- Gambling only with money set aside for entertainment, not to cover bills or debts
- Setting a session time limit before you log in, and sticking to it
- Treating losses as the cost of the entertainment, not as a balance to recover
- Never borrowing money to gamble
- Keeping gambling separate from your response to stress, anxiety or low mood
If any of the above feel difficult to maintain, the tools and contacts below are the right next step — not a sign of failure.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Problem gambling often develops gradually. The following are recognised indicators that gambling may be causing harm:
- Spending more than you planned, regularly and without intending to
- Feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut down
- Lying to family or friends about how much time or money you spend gambling
- Gambling to escape problems or to relieve feelings of helplessness or depression
- Returning to win back money you have lost ("chasing losses")
- Jeopardising a job, relationship or other significant commitment because of gambling
- Relying on others to help with money problems caused by gambling
Recognising these signs in yourself — or in someone close to you — is the first step. Free, confidential help is available and is listed further down this page.
Practical Limits You Can Set Right Now
Most online casinos, including those listed on Non UK Online Casinos, offer a range of player-controlled limits. These can usually be found in your account settings or by contacting customer support.
| Limit Type | What It Does | When It Takes Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Caps the total you can deposit in a day, week or month | Reductions usually instant; increases may have a cooling-off period |
| Loss limit | Stops play once your net losses reach the amount you set | Typically instant |
| Session time limit | Logs you out automatically after a set period | Instant |
| Wager limit | Caps the size of individual bets | Typically instant |
| Reality check | Sends a prompt showing how long you have been playing and how much you have spent | At the interval you choose |
| Cool-off / break | Temporarily suspends your account for a set period (e.g. 24 hours to 6 weeks) | Instant; cannot be reversed mid-period |
| Self-exclusion | Closes your account for a minimum period (often 6 months to 5 years, or permanently) | Instant; reversal requires a cooling-off period |
If a casino you are using does not offer these tools, contact their support team directly. Reputable operators will accommodate a reasonable request to limit or close an account.
Self-Exclusion: GamStop and Beyond
GamStop is the UK's national self-exclusion register. Registering with GamStop applies a single exclusion across all UKGC-licensed gambling sites simultaneously, making it the quickest way to block access to regulated UK operators. You can register at gamstop.co.uk and choose an exclusion period of 6 months, 1 year or 5 years.
Casinos listed on Non UK Online Casinos are not registered with GamStop — that is the nature of this site and the reason many readers come here. If you are using non-GamStop casinos and wish to self-exclude, you will need to do so directly with each operator. Contact the casino's support team, ask to self-exclude, and request written confirmation. Keep that confirmation in case it is needed later.
Additional self-exclusion options in GB include:
- GAMBAN — device-level blocking software that prevents access to gambling sites and apps across all your devices. Subscription-based; works independently of where a casino is licensed.
- Gamcare's National Gambling Helpline — can advise on self-exclusion steps alongside providing counselling.
- Your bank — most major UK banks now offer gambling transaction blocks within their apps, which can prevent deposits to any gambling site regardless of licensing.
Using a combination — for example, a bank block alongside direct exclusion requests — gives the most comprehensive protection.
Free Support and Helplines in the UK
All of the services below are free and confidential. You do not need to be in crisis to use them — they support anyone who is questioning their gambling habits.
- National Gambling Helpline (GamCare) — 0808 8020 133, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Online chat also available at gamcare.org.uk.
- Gamblers Anonymous — peer support groups across the UK. Details at gamblersanonymous.org.uk.
- GamTalk — free online peer support forum at gamtalk.org.
- NHS Gambling Harm — NHS England operates specialist clinics for gambling disorder. Ask your GP for a referral or visit nhs.uk.
- Gordon Moody — residential treatment and online programmes for people with severe gambling problems. gordanmoody.org.uk.
- BeGambleAware — information, self-assessment tools and a directory of local support services at begambleaware.org.
If someone close to you is affected by their gambling, GamCare and Gamblers Anonymous both have programmes specifically for family members and friends.
How to Self-Exclude From a Non-GamStop Casino
Because each non-GamStop casino operates its own account management system, exclusions must be handled individually. The process is straightforward at most operators:
- Log in to your account and navigate to the responsible gambling or account settings section.
- If a self-exclusion option is listed there, select your preferred duration and confirm.
- If no in-app option exists, contact live chat or email support and state clearly that you wish to self-exclude. Give your full name, username and the period you want.
- Request written confirmation — a reply email or chat transcript is sufficient.
- Once confirmed, the casino should also refund any balance remaining in your account, depending on their terms.
- Consider a GAMBAN subscription and a bank gambling block at the same time to reinforce the exclusion.
If you encounter resistance or delay when requesting a self-exclusion, escalate to the operator's complaints department and, where applicable, their licensing authority.
Protecting Children and Vulnerable People
If children have access to devices you use for gambling, consider installing parental-control software such as Net Nanny, Bark or your device's built-in family controls. These can block gambling sites at the device level, independent of any casino's own tools.
If a vulnerable adult in your household is gambling without your knowledge, the bank gambling block is often the most immediate and effective step, followed by a conversation with GamCare who can advise on next steps for family members.
About This Site's Approach
Non UK Online Casinos (tregonygallery.co.uk) is an independent comparison website. We review and rank non-UK-licensed casinos for an adult audience. We take responsible gambling seriously — it is not a box to tick. Every casino we list is assessed in part on whether it provides meaningful account controls, and we encourage every reader to set limits before they play.
Our editorial rankings are not influenced by commercial arrangements. You can read more about how we assess operators on our main casino comparison page, and our Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which this site operates.
If you have a question about a specific casino's responsible gambling tools, or if you would like to flag a concern, please contact us.
Making the Right Choice for You
There is no single right answer about whether to gamble, how much to spend, or which site to use. What matters is that the choice is genuinely yours — made with a clear head, within limits you have set in advance, and with the knowledge that help is available any time you want it.
If you are confident you are in control and want to compare your options, our non-GamStop casino guide is the right place to start. If you have any doubt, the helplines above are available around the clock and are entirely free to use.