Safe Circuit — Tools and Resources for Safer Gambling

Know When to Break the Circuit

Gambling should be a form of entertainment — one activity among many, not a financial strategy or a way to recover losses. Most people who bet do so recreationally without experiencing harm. But for some, patterns develop that are worth recognising early.

The UK Gambling Commission identifies warning signs including: betting more than you intended or can afford, chasing losses by continuing to wager after a losing run, spending significant time thinking about gambling, concealing betting habits from friends or family, and borrowing money to fund gambling activity.

GamStop — National Self-Exclusion

GamStop is the free UK national self-exclusion service. A single registration with GamStop blocks access to all UKGC-licensed gambling websites and apps — there are no gaps for individual sites to opt out of the scheme.

When you register, you choose a minimum period: six months, one year, or five years. The exclusion cannot be reversed or shortened during that minimum period. After the minimum period expires, you must actively request to rejoin the scheme — it does not lapse automatically.

GamStop covers online gambling only. It does not apply to land-based venues (bookmakers, casinos, arcades). For land-based self-exclusion, contact the venue directly or speak to GamCare.

Register at: gamstop.co.uk — free, takes approximately five minutes, takes effect within 24 hours.

GamCare — Counselling and Support

GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline and provides trained counsellors for anyone concerned about their gambling or the gambling of someone they know. The helpline is free, confidential, and operates around the clock.

• Telephone: 0808 8020 133 (free from UK landlines and mobiles)
• Web chat and online forums available at gamcare.org.uk
• GamCare also provides face-to-face counselling sessions in some regions — see their website for locations

BeGambleAware — Education and Self-Assessment

BeGambleAware is an independent charity funded by a statutory levy on the gambling industry. It provides evidence-based information on gambling risk, self-assessment tools to evaluate gambling patterns, and a directory of treatment services.

Visit begambleaware.org for self-help guides, information for families and friends, and links to specialist support.

Gordon Moody Foundation — Residential Treatment

The Gordon Moody Foundation provides residential treatment for people with severe gambling-related problems. Programmes are typically 12-week residential courses at centres in Dudley and London. Referrals can be made through GamCare or directly via gordonmoody.org.uk.

NHS Support

NHS England operates specialist gambling clinics in several regions for adults experiencing gambling disorder. The National Problem Gambling Clinic in London is the longest-established NHS service and accepts referrals from GPs. Contact your GP to request a referral, or ask GamCare to facilitate an NHS pathway assessment.

NHS gambling services are free to UK residents. Waiting times vary by region; GamCare counselling is typically available more quickly.

Account-Level Controls at UKGC-Licensed Operators

Every UKGC-licensed operator is required to provide the following self-management tools within your account:

• Deposit limits — daily, weekly and monthly caps on how much you can add to your account. Changes to reduce limits take effect immediately; increases have a 24-hour cooling-off period.
• Loss limits — cap your net losses over a defined period.
• Wager limits — restrict the total stake you can place per day, week or month.
• Time-out — a short voluntary break from the account (24 hours to 6 weeks) without committing to a full exclusion.
• Self-exclusion — close your account for a minimum of six months. The operator must keep you excluded for the duration you chose and cannot accept you back before the period expires.
• Reality checks — timed pop-up notifications showing how long you have been in session and how much you have wagered.

To activate any of these controls, log into your account and navigate to Responsible Gambling, Safer Gambling, or Account Limits — the naming varies by operator. If you cannot find the controls, use the operator's live chat to request assistance.

Gambling and Mental Health

Problem gambling frequently co-occurs with depression, anxiety and alcohol or substance use. If you are experiencing mental health difficulties alongside gambling concerns, the services above — particularly GamCare and the NHS — are experienced in working with co-occurring conditions. You do not have to resolve one issue before seeking help with the other.

Mind (mind.org.uk) and Samaritans (116 123, free, 24/7) provide mental health and emotional support independently of gambling services.

Page reviewed May 2026. If information has changed, contact us via the contact page.