Stay in control
Responsible Gambling
Betting on the dogs should be fun, occasional and affordable. For a small number of people it stops being any of those things. This page sets out how to keep betting under control and where to get free, confidential help if you need it. You must be 18 or over to bet.
Bet within your means
A few simple habits keep betting healthy:
The ground rules
- Set a budget before you start and treat it as the cost of entertainment — money you can comfortably lose.
- Set deposit and time limits with your bookmaker, and stick to them.
- Never chase losses. Trying to win back a loss is the most common route to trouble.
- Don’t bet to escape stress, or while under the influence.
- Take breaks and keep betting a small part of a wider life.
Tools every licensed bookmaker offers
Because they are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, all the operators we list must give you free controls in your account: deposit limits, loss and wager limits, time-outs (a short cooling-off period) and self-exclusion (locking yourself out for months or years). Setting a deposit limit the first time you log in is the single most effective habit in betting.
Warning signs
It may be time to step back if you are betting more than you can afford, chasing losses, hiding your betting from people close to you, borrowing money to bet, betting to feel better, or feeling anxious about it. None of these is a moral failing — they are signs to ask for support, and support works.
Free, confidential help
- BeGambleAware.org — information, self-assessment and a free 24/7 National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
- GamCare — free counselling and support across Great Britain.
- GamStop — free self-exclusion that blocks you from all UK-licensed gambling sites in one step.
- Gambling blocking software such as Gamban can block access to gambling sites and apps on your devices.
Protecting under-18s
Gambling by anyone under 18 is illegal. If children use your devices, consider device-level controls and blocking software, and keep your betting accounts secure.
If betting has stopped being fun, that is reason enough to take a break. Help is free, confidential and available right now.