A Clear Starting Point
If you have registered with GAMSTOP, the most important advice on this page is simple: keep your exclusion in place. Casinos outside the scheme are not a safe route back to gambling, and searching for one is often a sign that extra support would help. Everything else on this page is about adding protection, not finding a way around it.
Understanding the Cost of Gambling
Casino games are designed so that, over time, players lose more than they win. Gambling is therefore a form of paid entertainment, not a source of income. Only gamble with money you can comfortably afford to lose, never with money for essentials or debts, and never increase stakes to win back previous losses.
Comparing Protective Barriers
| Barrier | What it covers | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| GAMSTOP | Participating online operators in Great Britain | Does not cover sites outside the scheme |
| Bank gambling block | Card payments to gambling merchants | Availability and setup depend on your bank |
| Blocking software | Gambling websites and apps on your devices | Install on every device you use |
| Operator limits and closure | One account or brand only | Offshore tools vary and may be easy to reverse |
No single barrier covers everything. Combining several creates much stronger protection than relying on one operator's settings.
If You Still Gamble
- Set deposit and time limits before your first session, and lower them rather than raise them.
- Choose operators where limit increases take effect only after a delay.
- Take regular breaks, and avoid gambling when stressed, low or drinking.
- Never use credit, loans or borrowed money.
- Review your total spending across all accounts every month.
Signs It May Be Time to Stop
- Thinking about gambling much of the time
- Needing to bet more to feel the same excitement
- Chasing losses or gambling to solve money problems
- Hiding gambling or lying about it
- Arguments, debt or missed payments linked to gambling
- Looking for sites that bypass your own exclusion
If any of these sound familiar, step away and speak to a specialist. A new account will not fix the underlying problem.
Free, Confidential UK Support
Call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 at any time for free, confidential advice. GamCare offers online chat, information and access to counselling and treatment. Details of self-exclusion are available from GAMSTOP. Partners, relatives and friends affected by someone else's gambling can also get support from these services. If anyone is at immediate risk, contact the emergency services.