Responsible Gambling
Betting should be an enjoyable pastime. When it stops feeling that way — or when you find yourself chasing losses, hiding your activity, or betting with money you cannot afford — it is worth pausing and taking stock. This page sets out the tools and organisations available in Great Britain to help you stay in control, or to seek support if you need it.
Non Gamstop Bets (mynewsagent.co.uk) is an independent comparison site covering sports betting options not on GamStop. We take our responsibility seriously: the information below is here for every reader, regardless of where they choose to bet. You must be 18 or over to gamble.
Recognising When Gambling Becomes a Problem
Problem gambling rarely announces itself. It tends to creep in gradually, and many people do not realise there is a difficulty until the consequences become hard to ignore. Common warning signs include:
- Spending more than you planned, or more than you can afford to lose
- Betting to recover previous losses (chasing)
- Feeling anxious, irritable or restless when not gambling
- Lying to friends or family about how much you bet or how often
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund betting
- Neglecting work, relationships or other responsibilities
- Trying repeatedly to cut down and finding you cannot
If any of these resonate, you are not alone, and there is practical help available at no cost.
Free Support Organisations in the UK
Every organisation below provides free, confidential support for people affected by gambling — whether that is the person gambling or someone close to them.
| Organisation | What it offers | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| GamCare | Free helpline, live chat, counselling and an online forum | 0808 8020 133 (24/7) |
| Gamblers Anonymous | Peer-support meetings across the UK, based on a 12-step programme | 0330 094 0322 |
| GamAnon | Support for family members and friends of people with a gambling problem | Via the Gamblers Anonymous number above |
| National Gambling Helpline | Operated by GamCare; free phone and chat around the clock | 0808 8020 133 |
| Gordon Moody | Residential treatment programmes for severe gambling disorders | 01384 241292 |
| NHS Northern Gambling Service | NHS-funded specialist treatment; referrals via GP or self-referral | Via your GP or nhs.uk |
| Gambling Therapy | International online support in multiple languages, run by Gordon Moody | gamblingtherapy.org |
Self-Exclusion: How It Works and What Your Options Are
Self-exclusion lets you block yourself from accessing gambling sites for a set period. It is one of the most effective tools available, and several schemes operate in the UK.
GamStop
GamStop is the UK's national self-exclusion register. Registering with GamStop places a restriction across all operators licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). You choose a minimum exclusion period of six months, one year or five years. Once registered, the exclusion cannot be shortened before the minimum period ends. Registration is free at gamstop.co.uk.
Self-Excluding Directly with an Operator
Betting sites not covered by GamStop — including many offshore operators — each run their own responsible gambling programmes. These typically include deposit limits, session reminders, cooling-off periods and self-exclusion tools accessible via your account settings or by contacting customer support. If you want to stop using a specific site, contact that site's support team directly and request a self-exclusion. Keep a record of that request.
GAMBAN
GAMBAN is a device-level blocking software. Once installed, it prevents access to thousands of gambling websites and apps across all devices on which it is active. It works independently of any operator or licensing scheme, making it a useful complement to other exclusion tools. A subscription is charged; details are at gamban.com.
Bet Blocker
Bet Blocker is a free app that blocks access to gambling websites on your devices. It covers a large number of domains and can be set for periods of between 24 hours and five years. Available at betblocker.org.
Spending Controls You Can Set Right Now
Most reputable betting sites — including those operating outside the GamStop network — provide in-account tools that let you set boundaries before problems develop. These are worth using proactively, not only as a crisis measure.
- Deposit limits — daily, weekly or monthly caps on how much you can add to your account
- Loss limits — a ceiling on how much you can lose over a defined period
- Wager limits — a ceiling on total stakes over a period
- Session time limits — automatic log-out after a set amount of time
- Reality checks — on-screen prompts that remind you how long you have been active and how much you have wagered
- Cooling-off periods — a short self-imposed break of a day to several weeks, during which you cannot deposit or bet
- Account closure — permanent closure, separate from self-exclusion, available on request
Increasing a deposit limit typically requires a waiting period (often 24 hours) to prevent impulsive decisions. Decreasing one usually takes effect immediately.
A Note on Betting Sites Outside GamStop
This site reviews and compares betting operators that sit outside the GamStop scheme — predominantly sites licensed in other jurisdictions rather than by the UKGC. Readers who have self-excluded via GamStop and are visiting this site will already be aware of that distinction.
Operators outside the GamStop network are not subject to UKGC rules, but many reputable offshore sites still maintain their own responsible gambling programmes, including deposit limits, self-exclusion tools and links to support organisations. Before opening an account anywhere, check what tools are available under the site's responsible gambling or player protection section.
If you have self-excluded via GamStop and are finding it difficult to stay away from gambling, please consider speaking to GamCare (0808 8020 133) before continuing. The exclusion is there because you asked for it; the support services are there to reinforce it.
For a fuller picture of how offshore betting sites compare to UK-licensed bookmakers — including their licensing, protections and differences in terms — see our UK sports betting guide.
Protecting Under-18s
No person under the age of 18 may use any gambling service, and Non Gamstop Bets is strictly an 18+ site. If you share a device with children or young people, free parental-control tools can prevent accidental or deliberate access to gambling websites:
- Gamban and Bet Blocker (details above) both operate at device level and will block gambling sites regardless of which user is logged in
- Net Nanny, Qustodio and similar parental-control apps allow you to filter by category, including gambling
- Most broadband providers offer free household-level content filters — check your provider's account settings
How to Get Help: A Simple Starting Point
If you are not sure where to begin, the steps below cover the most immediate actions.
- Call or chat with GamCare — 0808 8020 133, free and available 24 hours a day. A trained adviser can help you work out what support is most appropriate.
- Set a deposit limit today — log in to any betting account you use and reduce your deposit limit now, before you next feel the urge to bet more than you intended.
- Install Bet Blocker — free to download and effective within minutes. Adds a layer of friction that many people find genuinely helpful in the short term.
- Talk to someone you trust — a family member or close friend. You do not have to manage this alone, and having someone aware of what is happening can make a real difference.
- Speak to your GP — problem gambling is a health issue. NHS-funded treatment is available, and your GP can refer you to specialist services including those run through the NHS.
Our Commitment
Non Gamstop Bets earns revenue through affiliate arrangements with the operators it features. That commercial relationship does not change our editorial position on responsible gambling. We include this page because we believe every person who uses a betting site should have easy access to honest information about the risks and the help that exists.
If you have a question about this page, or if you would like us to add a resource, please use our contact page. For details of how our site operates, see our terms and conditions.