Signs Gambling Is Becoming a Problem
Gambling may be causing harm when it starts to show up in these ways:
- Spending more money or time than planned, or chasing losses.
- Borrowing money, or using money meant for bills, to gamble.
- Hiding gambling from family or friends.
- Feeling anxious, low or irritable when not gambling.
- Gambling to cope with stress or other problems.
Any one of these is a reason to pause and talk to someone.
Tools That Help
Most casinos offer tools to keep gambling under control, usually under account settings:
- Deposit limits: a cap on how much can be paid in each day, week or month.
- Loss limits: a cap on net losses over a set period.
- Time-outs: a short break of a day to a few weeks.
- Reality checks: pop-up reminders showing how long a session has lasted.
- Self-exclusion: closing an account for 6 months or longer.
Setting a deposit limit before the first deposit is the simplest way to keep spending to plan.
Self-Exclusion Across Borders
Many countries run a national self-exclusion scheme, such as GAMSTOP in the UK, Spelpaus in Sweden, ROFUS in Denmark, OASIS in Germany and CRUKS in the Netherlands. These schemes usually cover only casinos licensed in that country. A casino licensed abroad is never a way around self-exclusion, and anyone who has self-excluded at home should not use one.
Two extra steps block gambling sites wherever they are licensed:
- Blocking software: tools such as Gamban and BetBlocker block gambling sites worldwide on phones and computers.
- Bank gambling blocks: many banks let customers block payments to gambling companies, usually in the banking app.
Free and Confidential Support
Help is available in most countries, and much of it is free. Some of the main services:
| Country | Service | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| International | Gamblers Anonymous | Free meetings worldwide, in person and online |
| United Kingdom | GamCare | National Gambling Helpline, 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day |
| United States | National Council on Problem Gambling | 1-800-GAMBLER, 24 hours a day |
| Australia | Gambling Help Online | 1800 858 858, 24 hours a day |
| New Zealand | Gambling Helpline | 0800 654 655, 24 hours a day |
Players in other countries can find local support through their doctor or national health service. Families affected by someone else's gambling can find support through Gam-Anon.
Protecting Children
No one under the legal gambling age should gamble or have access to an account. Parental control software and device settings can block gambling sites on shared phones, tablets and computers.