Play it cool
A night of gambling at the club only works while it stays fun. Here's how to keep it that way, and where to get help if it isn't.
Before you sit down
- Set a deposit limit in your account before the first bet. It is usually in the account or responsible gambling settings.
- Decide what tonight costs and treat that money as spent the moment it goes in.
- Set a time limit as well. A phone alarm does the job.
- Never bet with money that is meant for bills.
Signs it's going sour
- You chase losses to win back what is already gone.
- Your usual stake feels flat, so you keep raising it.
- You keep your play a secret from the people you live with.
- You borrow to gamble, or to cover what you lost.
- You feel on edge when you try to stop.
Tools that help
- Deposit limits and time-outs in your casino account. Set them while you are calm so they are in place when you are not.
- Self-exclusion. GAMSTOP blocks you from every UK licensed gambling site with one sign-up.
- Blocking software. BetBlocker is free and stops gambling sites loading on your own devices.
Talk to someone
Free and private help, from people who do this every day.
BeGambleAware
Free information and a route into treatment services in Great Britain.
begambleaware.orgGamCare
Free support and live chat for anyone in Great Britain affected by gambling.
gamcare.org.ukGambling Therapy
Free support online in several languages, wherever you live.
gamblingtherapy.orgGamblers Anonymous
Meetings with people who have sat where you are sitting.
gamblersanonymous.org1-800-GAMBLER
The US helpline, run by the National Council on Problem Gambling.
ncpgambling.org