Responsible Gambling

Responsible gambling means keeping play affordable, time-limited and in proportion to the rest of your life. This page explains the protections that exist, what changes when a casino is not part of GAMSTOP, and what you can do yourself. It was last fact-checked on 30 September 2026.

Non Gamstop Casinos reviews casinos that operate outside GAMSTOP. We may earn commission if you join through our links, but commission does not decide rankings. Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over. It is paid entertainment, never a source of income and never a fix for money worries.

What GAMSTOP does, and what you give up outside it

GAMSTOP is the free national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling in Great Britain. Once you register, every online operator licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) must block you for your chosen period. The options are six months, one year or five years. You cannot cut a period short once it has started.

A casino that is not on GAMSTOP is usually licensed overseas, not by the UKGC. Such a site may accept British players, but accepting them is not the same as being authorised to serve them under British rules. Note that the UKGC's remit covers Great Britain, not the whole UK. Northern Ireland has separate legislation.

In practice, that means:

• Your GAMSTOP registration will not stop you using a site outside the scheme.
• UKGC complaint routes and licence conditions do not apply to an overseas-licensed operator.
• Safer-gambling tools, affordability checks and dispute handling vary from one operator to the next and are set by its own licence and terms.

If you registered with GAMSTOP because gambling was causing you harm, do not use non GamStop sites to get round it. Keep the exclusion in place. See our main guide to non GamStop casinos reviewed only if you are an adult who is not self-excluded.

Warning signs to take seriously

• Spending more money or time than you planned.
• Chasing losses with bigger or faster bets.
• Borrowing, or using money meant for bills, rent or food.
• Hiding your play from family or friends.
• Feeling irritable, anxious or low when you are not playing.
• Re-depositing straight after a withdrawal to keep playing.

One or two of these is a reason to pause and review. Several together is a reason to talk to someone.

Setting limits before you play

Decide your limits when you are calm, not mid-session. Write the figures down.

1. Work out a leisure budget from money left after essentials. Treat it as spent once deposited.
2. Set a deposit limit (daily, weekly or monthly) if the site offers one. Check the account settings before your first deposit.
3. Add a loss limit where available, so a bad run has a fixed ceiling.
4. Set a time limit or a phone alarm. Take a break every hour.
5. Never raise a limit straight after losing. Many operators delay increases, but that depends on the operator, so check.

An illustrative example: a £50 monthly budget means no top-ups once £50 has gone, even if a bonus is on offer.

Checking a casino's safer-gambling tools

Do not assume an overseas-licensed site offers the same protections as a UKGC one. Before depositing, look for and verify the following.

Check	Why it matters
Deposit and loss limits	Gives a hard cap you set yourself. Confirm whether you can set them without contacting support.
Self-exclusion	Look for time-out and longer exclusion options, and how they are reversed.
Reality checks	Reminders of elapsed time and spend during play.
Licence and ownership details	Shows who is accountable and which regulator you could complain to.
Complaints procedure	Should state steps and timescales. Ask whether an independent dispute service exists.
Verification and withdrawal terms	KYC, source-of-funds checks, limits and processing times should be stated before you deposit.

We have not tested any of the operators on our lists, so we cannot confirm how these tools work in use. Read each site's own terms. Our terms and conditions explain how this site operates.

How bonuses can encourage overplaying

Headline offers on our lists, such as Betmica's 570% up to £5,700 plus 270 free spins, are advertising claims. Large percentages can look generous, but they come with wagering requirements, maximum bet rules, expiry dates and cashout limits. The advertised figure is rarely what you can withdraw.

• Wagering means you must stake a multiple of the bonus, and sometimes the deposit, before withdrawing. Losing money while meeting it is common.
• Max bet limits can void winnings if breached by accident.
• Expiry dates can push you to play faster than you intended.
• Cashback offers, like the 25% cashback in Rivo's advertised package, return part of losses under conditions. They do not remove the loss.

If a bonus would make you deposit more than your budget, decline it. Many sites let you opt out before claiming.

Payments, crypto and keeping track of spending

Debit card statements give a clear record. Cryptocurrency, offered on some sites such as CoinPoker, is harder to track, and its value can change between deposit and withdrawal. Currency conversion fees apply where a site is not GBP-based, for example where offers are shown in euros or dollars. Verify which payment methods work for British customers rather than assuming.

Practical steps:

• Use only your own money and never credit or borrowed funds.
• Review your bank statement monthly.
• Ask your bank about gambling blocks on cards. Several UK banks offer them.
• Expect identity and source-of-funds checks before withdrawal. Read the dispute process first, because withdrawals are never guaranteed.

Sports betting and shared wallets

Many casinos also run sportsbooks. In-play betting, accumulators and bet builders move fast and can raise spending. Odds are shown in decimal form: a £10 stake at 3.00 returns £30 including the stake, or £20 profit. A shared wallet means casino and sports balances sit together, so a loss in one area reduces what is left for the other. Set your budget across both, not each separately.

Tools that work outside the casino

• Gambling blocking software such as Gamban, BetBlocker or similar tools can block gambling sites and apps on your devices. Check each tool's own page for current availability.
• Bank blocks stop card payments to gambling merchants.
• GAMSTOP covers UKGC-licensed operators only, so combine it with blockers if you want wider protection.

Where to get help in the UK

• National Gambling Helpline (GamCare) – free, confidential support on 0808 8020 133, with live chat on the GamCare website. Please confirm current hours there.
• BeGambleAware – information and signposting for you or someone close to you.
• NHS gambling treatment services – ask your GP about referral.
• StepChange and Citizens Advice – free debt advice if gambling has affected your finances.

In an emergency or if you feel unsafe, call 999 or contact Samaritans on 116 123.

Supporting someone else

Raise it privately and without blame. Do not lend money to cover gambling debts. Encourage them to call the helpline, and look after your own wellbeing too. GamCare also supports family and friends.

Eligibility and legal basics

You must be 18 or over. Operators should verify age and identity. Gambling winnings are not taxed for players in the UK, but this does not make gambling a sensible way to earn. Overseas-licensed casinos are not covered by UKGC protections, so be sure you understand that trade-off. You can find more about how we research and how to contact us if something on this page is out of date.

A sensible next step

If gambling is fun and within your budget, set your limits first and keep them. If it is not, stop, block access and talk to GamCare or BeGambleAware. Both are free and confidential.