Responsible Gambling in the UK – Online Tools, Tips & Support

Online gambling is legal in the UK, and many people enjoy it as a fun pastime. However, some people could develop a gambling problem. For that reason, it is important to gamble responsibly. This guide will explore responsible gambling in the UK and explain how to play safely and responsibly online.

UK Responsible Online Gambling Guidelines

Online gambling in the UK is subject to strict laws and regulations. Operators must hold a UKGC licence to offer services to players in the UK. Social responsibility is a key part of the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) that licensed operators must adhere to. An operator must display a commitment to responsible gambling to gain and keep a UKGC licence.

Social responsibility is a key feature of legit, licensed UK gambling sites. Operators must have measures in place to ensure that people who should not gamble online are not allowed to use their services. Operators must also comply with all other licensing requirements set by the Gambling Commission. This includes inviting independent testing of games and payouts and using advanced technical security protocols.

UKGC – The Independent UK Gambling Regulator & Supervisor

The Gambling Commission (UKGC) regulates gambling in the United Kingdom. It was established under the Gambling Act (2005). The UKGC is an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS). Two groups govern the Gambling Commission. CEO Andrew Rhodes leads the Executive Team. The Secretary of State for the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport appoints the independent Board of Commissioners.

The UKGC licenses the businesses and individuals offering gambling in the UK. It is funded by application and licence fees set by the DCMS. Creating a safe and responsible gambling industry is at the core of the Commission’s role. The UKGC aims to keep gambling crime free and ensure it is conducted openly and fairly. It also seeks to protect children and vulnerable people. The Gambling Commission sets the standards for all licensees and can take enforcement action against licensees that fail to follow the rules and regulations.

Groups of Players Banned from Online Casinos

Some people are more susceptible to developing a gambling problem than others. They could have predispositions that make it difficult for them to gamble responsibly. Therefore, those groups of vulnerable people should avoid gambling altogether. Below, we have summarised the types of people that shouldn’t gamble online:

• Underage Players – Young people’s minds are still developing, and they may not understand the dangers associated with gambling.
• Players with Mental Issues – Those with mental health issues are more likely to develop a gambling addiction.
• Alcoholics & Drug Addicts – People with a substance use disorder are more susceptible to developing an addiction to gambling.
• People with Financial Difficulties – Gambling is a form of entertainment and should not be used to make money.
• Self-Excluded Players – Players who have self-excluded due to problem gambling issues must not gamble online.

Gambling addiction does not affect everyone. While certain people may be more likely to develop an addiction, many players enjoy online gambling safely by practising responsible gaming. You should avoid online gambling platforms if you identify among the abovementioned groups. Those who can gamble safely should do so at safe, licensed gambling sites.

Responsible Gambling Tips – How to Stay in Control?

Responsible gambling means staying safe and in control when wagering real money. You should be able to enjoy gaming without causing harm to yourself and your loved ones. By following certain guidelines, UK players can maintain healthy gambling habits.

There are various practices you can follow to help you gamble responsibly. One of the most important practices is to limit the time and money you spend gambling. Legit online casinos offer responsible gambling tools that help you control your gambling activity. The following paragraphs will delve into the most important UK responsible gaming practices that can significantly reduce your chances of developing an addiction.

Set Your Limits & Stop When You Hit Them

One of the key practices for responsible online gambling is to set yourself limits and stick to them. You should decide how much money you are willing to spend gambling before you start. You should also set limits on the amount of time you spend gambling.

Sticking to a predetermined budget will ensure you do not spend more than you can afford. Setting time limits also ensures you do not dedicate too much time to gambling. You should know that overspending can cause financial and emotional problems. So, you should control your impulses and not exceed your self-imposed limits.

Self-Manage Your Gambling Habits Using Tools

UK players can use various responsible gambling tools to manage their gambling. Legit, UK-licensed online casinos offer these tools to help players keep track of their gambling behaviour. Below, we have listed some of the common self-management online gambling tools that you could try:

• Deposit Limit
• Loss Limit
• Bet Size Cap
• Time Limit
• Time Out
• Reality Check

Using tools to set deposit, loss, and time limits is a good way to stay within your self-imposed limits. Reality checks also serve as a good reminder of how much time and money you spend on each gaming session. These responsible gaming tools help build a healthy routine when gambling online.

These tools are a good way to avoid gambling addiction. Yet, there are other ways you can avoid becoming addicted to gambling. You should maintain the mindset that gambling is a form of entertainment. You should not allow it to interfere with your work or relationships. You could also explore other hobbies and activities, ensuring that gambling is just one of many sources of entertainment in your life.

Consider a Voluntary Gambling Ban

If your gambling habits become problematic and you feel you may be developing an addiction, you may want to consider self-exclusion from online gambling as a last resort. GAMSTOP is the UK online gambling self-exclusion register. Registering with GAMSTOP allows you to voluntarily exclude from all UK online gambling sites for up to 5 years. If you are considering self-exclusion, here is what you should do:

• Keep Your Gambling Habits Healthy – You can use self-management tools like deposit and loss limits to control how much you spend gambling. You could also apply time limits to ensure you cannot spend excessive time playing on a gaming site.
• Get in Touch with a Problem Gambling Organisation – Many independent UK responsible gambling organisations can provide specialised help, support, and treatment to anyone affected by problem gambling behaviour. You can generally contact such organisations by phone, e-mail, and live chat.
• Take a Break & Request a Time Out – If you find it difficult to control your gambling, you may want to take a break from gambling altogether. You can contact the customer support team at your online gambling site and request a time-out for a specified period.

If you decide that you need to stop gambling online altogether, you should register on the GAMSTOP website. You can voluntarily exclude yourself from online gambling for six months, one year, or five years. During sign-up, you should provide personal details, including your current address and postcode, date of birth, e-mail addresses and mobile number.

It can take up to 24 hours for your self-exclusion to become effective. Once activated, you will not be permitted to gamble at any gambling sites licensed in the UK. You can update your details on the GAMSTOP website during the exclusion period. You can also opt to extend your self-exclusion or re-activate a previous exclusion easily via your GAMSTOP account.

GAMSTOP – The UK’s National Online Gambling Self-Exclusion System

GAMSTOP is a service that allows UK residents to self-exclude from online gambling. Once you sign up for the service on the GAMSTOP website, you will be prevented from using online gambling sites and apps operated by UKGC-licensed operators. The service is free and available to anyone residing in the United Kingdom. The National Online Self-Exclusion Scheme Limited, a not-for-profit organisation, operates GAMSTOP.

You can opt to exclude from online gambling for a period of six months, one year, or five years. You cannot remove your self-exclusion until your selected duration period has elapsed. All UK-licensed online gambling operators must integrate with GAMSTOP as part of their licence conditions. They must check their customer database at least every 24 hours to prevent any customers registered with GAMSTOP from being able to gamble on their sites and from receiving direct marketing.

UK Responsible Gambling Organisations

If you are concerned about your gambling behaviour or that of a loved one, you do not need to suffer alone. Various independent UK responsible gambling organisations are on hand to help. These organisations can provide help, support, and treatment for anyone affected by problem gambling behaviour.

The following sections will introduce the most notable responsible gambling organisations in the United Kingdom. You will find out how they can help UK players affected by gambling-related issues. We have also included contact details to help you easily contact them if you need their specialist assistance.

GamCare – Provides Confidential Support 24/7

GamCare is a leading UK gambling support service founded in 1997 by Paul Bellringer. It provides information, advice and help to anyone affected by gambling-related harm. GamCare operates the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133), where you can speak to an advisor 24/7. You can also contact an advisor for confidential advice and support through live chat, WhatsApp chat, and Facebook Messenger.

GamCare provides a live text chatroom where you can speak to others in similar situations and share your experiences. They offer a range of treatment services using a cognitive behavioural approach. The organisation conducts research into gambling addiction and aims to create recognition and prevention of gambling harm. They provide training and materials to the gambling industry, helping to improve their social responsibility and consumer care standards.

GambleAware – Addiction Prevention and Treatment

GambleAware is an independent UK charity with a mission to keep people safe from gambling harm. The company organises prevention and treatment services across the United Kingdom. It has a framework with the UKGC to commission the National Gambling Support Network. Contributions from the gambling industry fund the organisation.

The GambleAware website includes various resources for UK residents who are affected by problem gambling. Visitors can take a short quiz to determine how gambling impacts them or someone they care about. You can get advice and support tailored to your situation based on the results. GambleAware offers free and confidential support.

Gordon Moody – Treatment for Gambling Addiction

The Gordon Moody organisation is a charity set up in 1971 by Reverend Gordon Moody MBE. The charity provides support and treatment for gambling addiction. It has three residential treatment centres based in the West Midlands, Greater London, and Manchester. It also has various part-residential support programmes providing residential therapy and face-to-face interactions.

Gordon Moody provides online support to those experiencing gambling addiction through its Outreach Programme and Gambling Therapy app and service. The charity aims to help gambling addicts reclaim and rebuild their lives. The National Gambling Treatment Service supports the organisation.

Gamblers Anonymous – Meetings for Compulsive Gamblers

Gamblers Anonymous was established in Los Angeles in 1957. In 1964, the UK branch of the organisation was formed. Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of people that share their experiences of gambling addiction in the hope of supporting each other towards recovery. The Gamblers Anonymous UK website offers various aids to support compulsive gamblers.

Problem gamblers can interact with others through a forum and chatroom. Yet, meetings are the core of the recovery services Gamblers Anonymous provides. The website includes a meeting finder, where you can find a local GA meeting to attend. Meetings are available every day of the week throughout the UK. Members can attend and share their experiences and listen to the stories of other problem gamblers and recovered gambling addicts.

Signs of Compulsive Gambling & How to Prevent It

Excessive gambling could lead to addiction. Gambling addiction can have a detrimental effect on your health, finances, and relationships. Therefore, you need to understand how to prevent compulsive gambling behaviour and recognise if you have a problem. Reputable UK online casinos offer various prevention measures to help protect players.

Playing at licensed casino sites is one of the best ways to practice responsible online gambling in the UK. Unregulated casino sites do not operate according to the strict player protection measures demanded by the UKGC. Therefore, they offer little protection to players and should be avoided. Here are the main risks associated with unhealthy and irresponsible gaming behaviour:

The UK has clear-cut laws and regulations for online gambling. Online casinos must follow strict social responsibility guidelines to protect players. They provide funding to independent UK responsible gambling organisations. They also feature contact details for such organisations on their sites. Furthermore, they offer various tools players can use to self-manage their gambling behaviour.

Operators must also closely monitor players’ gambling activity and intervene if it raises concerns. For example, if they make large deposits over a short period, the operator should check in with the player and verify that they are not putting themselves in danger. Still, the best way to avoid gambling addiction is to gamble responsibly and use the tools at your disposal to stay safe and in control.

Vulnerable Groups of UK Players

Gambling carries risks. Even if you follow all responsible gambling tips for UK players, there is still a risk of addiction. It should also be noted that certain groups of vulnerable people are especially susceptible to the dangers of gambling-related harm. Those groups should not be allowed to participate in real money gambling.

Responsible gaming in the UK must be taken seriously. You should understand the risks of gambling addiction and know how to recognise and treat a problem. This is not easy for some people to do. If you recognise yourself as one of the listed people below, we’d advise you to refrain from gambling altogether:

• UK players with previous addictions
• UK residents of poor socioeconomic status
• Gamblers with behaviour defined as risky
• British young adults & underage users
• UK elders with declined memory and dementia
• British players with problem behaviour
• British citizens with intellectual disabilities

Protecting Underage Gamblers in the United Kingdom

Licensed operators must prevent underage gambling from taking place on their sites. Therefore, every legit UK online casino will verify your identity and confirm you are at least 18 before allowing you to deposit and play online. When you sign-up at a casino site, you will need to provide the following personal information:

• Passport/driving licence
• First and family name
• E-mail
• Postal address
• Date of birth
• Phone number
• Bank details
• Chosen deposit limit

As part of UK online gambling licensing requirements, operators must verify your name, address, and date of birth before allowing you to gamble. You must, therefore provide proof of identity to verify your account. This can be done by uploading a picture of your passport or driver’s licence.

UK Online Casinos with No Responsible Gambling Policy

Every legit UK online casino has a responsible online gambling policy in place. They follow all social responsibility guidelines set by the Gambling Commission, providing various tools and resources to help players stay in control. However, you only benefit from these protection measures if you play at licensed online casinos.

You must avoid playing at unlicensed casino sites in the UK. Such operators do not comply with UK gambling laws and regulations. Games may be fixed, and technical security may be subpar. Furthermore, they do not have reliable measures in place to protect players from gambling-related harm. Here are some typical features of untrustworthy online casinos:

• No UKGC licence
• Not included in GAMSTOP
• No partnerships with support organisations
• No RNG audits
• No SSL encryption
• False advertising

Always check for a UKGC licence before signing up at an online casino. Every licensed gambling site has a responsible gambling policy outlining how they protect players and what support is available. Legit operators require you to set deposit limits upon sign-up. Plus, they offer tools that help you manage and stay in control of your gambling activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

This guide has shared various responsible gambling tips to help you stay safe when gambling online in the UK. If you are concerned about your gambling behaviour or that of a loved one, we recommend contacting the specialist organisations that can offer help and support. To wrap up our guide, we have collated the most common responsible gaming questions.

1️⃣ What does responsible gambling in the UK mean?

Responsible gambling is all about protecting people from gambling-related harm. The UKGC has set strict social responsibility standards that all licensed UK gambling operators must adhere to. The UK responsible online gambling guidelines are in place to protect players from the dangers of compulsive gambling.

2️⃣ What responsible gambling practices are there in the UK?

There are various responsible gambling tips for UK players that can help you stay in control of your gambling behaviour. One such practice is to set limits on how much money you will spend gambling and stick to your limits. Another option is to use responsible gambling tools to manage your gaming. You can also choose to self-exclude from gambling.

3️⃣ What responsible gambling organisations are there in the UK?

Some of the leading UK responsible gambling organisations include GamCare, GambleAware, Gordon Moody, and Gamblers Anonymous. These are independent organisations and charities that specialise in the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction. UK residents can contact such organisations and speak confidentially to trained professionals who can guide and support anyone affected by problem gambling.

4️⃣ What are the risks of problem gambling and addiction for British players?

Gambling addiction can cause serious damage to your health, relationships, and finances. Therefore, it is important to know the signs of compulsive gambling so you can recognise if you or a loved one is developing a gambling problem. If you think you have a problem, you should seek help from a responsible gambling organisation.

5️⃣ How to spot unreliable UK online casinos with deceptive practices?

The best way to spot an unreliable UK online casino is to check its licensing credentials. An online casino must hold a valid UKGC licence to operate in the United Kingdom. Licensed casinos are safe, fair and have a responsible gambling policy in place. If an operator does not have a licence, you should avoid it at all costs.