Responsible gambling
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In crisis or need to talk to someone now?
The confidential helplines listed below are free to use. Most are available 24/7. You don't have to be in a crisis to call; these services are for anyone who needs to talk about their gambling.
Jump to helplinesWarning signs to watch for
Gambling problems usually grow over time. It is important to notice the signs early. You do not have to lose everything before you ask for help.
Spending more money or time gambling than you can afford
Difficulty stopping or controlling how much you gamble
Chasing losses to try to win back lost money
Borrowing money, selling possessions, or skipping essentials to fund gambling
Neglecting work, school, family, or personal needs because of gambling
Lying to family or friends about how much you gamble
Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to cut down
Gambling to escape problems or relieve stress, guilt, or anxiety
Needing increasing amounts of money to feel the same excitement
Repeated unsuccessful attempts to control or stop gambling
Damaged relationships, jobs, or opportunities because of gambling
Relying on others to bail you out of desperate financial situations
If you see these signs in yourself or someone you know, it may be time to seek help. There is no shame in asking for support. Compulsive gambling is a recognized health condition, and there are many ways to treat it.
Quick self-assessment
These questions help identify gambling disorders. Please answer honestly; your responses are just for you. No information is saved or shared.
- Do you need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement?
- Are you restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling?
- Have you made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop?
- Do you often think about gambling - reliving past sessions, planning the next, finding money to gamble?
- Do you often gamble when feeling distressed (helpless, guilty, anxious, depressed)?
- After losing money, do you often return another day to try to win it back?
- Do you lie to conceal the extent of your involvement with gambling?
- Has gambling jeopardized or cost you a significant relationship, job, or opportunity?
- Do you rely on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations from gambling?
If you answered "yes" to four or more of these, please think about contacting one of the support organizations below. This is not a formal medical diagnosis, but it is a signal that you should take seriously.
Want a more rigorous, scored assessment?
BeGambleAware's self-assessment uses a standard medical test to give you a result via email. It is free, private, and you do not need to sign up.
Tips for staying in control
Here are six habits that help most people keep gambling fun without letting it become a problem.
Set a budget before you start
Decide how much you can afford to spend before you play. Think of gambling as a cost for entertainment, not a way to earn money.
Set time limits
Pick a time to stop before you begin. Stick to that limit whether you are winning or losing.
Never chase losses
If you spend your budget, walk away. Trying to win back what you lost usually leads to even bigger losses.
Never gamble to escape
Avoid gambling to deal with stress, anxiety, or sadness. It often makes these feelings worse.
Take regular breaks
Walk away from the screen often. If you play for too long without a break, it is harder to know when to stop.
Don't drink while gambling
Alcohol makes it harder to make good decisions. Do not gamble if you are drinking or using other substances.
Self-exclusion programs
If you need to stop gambling completely, self-exclusion programs can help. They block your access to gambling sites for a set time, usually between six months and five years. There are tools that block sites globally and national registers that cover specific countries.
BetBlocker
WorldwideA free app that blocks tens of thousands of gambling websites on most platforms.
Visit website
GamBlock
WorldwideThis software blocks gambling access at the device level and has been used for many years.
Visit website
GAMSTOP
United KingdomA free national service for UK residents to block all licensed gambling sites for up to five years.
Visit website
BetStop
AustraliaThe national register in Australia that lets you exclude yourself from all licensed online operators at once.
Visit website
BetGuard
Canada (Ontario)A system for Ontario that blocks sign-ins and new accounts across regulated sites for a chosen period.
Visit website
ConnexOntario
Canada (Ontario)This program covers both online and physical gambling in Ontario. Other provinces have similar services.
Visit website
ROFUS
DenmarkThe national register for self-exclusion in Denmark, covering all licensed sites.
Visit website
Spelpaus
SwedenSweden's official system to block access to all licensed gambling companies.
Visit website
Cruks
NetherlandsThe central register in the Netherlands that excludes you from all licensed games of chance.
Visit website
OASIS
GermanyGermany's national system for blocking access to both online and land-based gambling.
Visit websiteState Programs
United StatesMost US states with legal gambling offer ways to exclude yourself. You can contact your state gaming commission for more information.
Helplines by region
You can find free and private support via phone, text, or chat in these regions.
United States
Primary contact
National Council on Problem Gambling
1-800-522-4700Text "HOME" to 233579
Visit websiteAlso available
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SAMHSA National Helpline 1-800-662-4357
United Kingdom
Primary contact
National Gambling Helpline (GamCare)
0808 8020 13324/7 free and confidential
Visit websiteAlso available
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Samaritans (crisis support) 116 123
Canada
Also available
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- Provincial helplines vary by province - check your provincial health services for local numbers.
Australia
Also available
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Lifeline Australia (crisis support) 13 11 14
Ireland
Primary contact
Problem Gambling Ireland
089 241 5401Free counselling, online support, peer-led recovery (operated by Extern)
Visit websiteAlso available
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Dunlewey Addiction Services 0800 088 6088 -
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New Zealand
Germany
Primary contact
BZgA Glucksspielsucht-Helpline
0800 1 37 27 00Free, anonymous, 24/7. Multiple languages.
Visit websiteAlso available
Netherlands
Primary contact
Loket Kansspel
0900 222 7 222Information and support from the Dutch Gambling Authority
Visit websiteAlso available
Sweden
Also available
International / Anywhere
Primary contact
Gamblers Anonymous
Free peer-support meetings worldwide, in-person and online.
Visit websiteFinancial support
There are two helpful steps that people often forget; using bank blocks to stop gambling payments and getting help from debt-advice charities. It is better to use these before things get too difficult.
Bank gambling blocks
Many banks allow you to block gambling transactions on your cards. If you turn this off, there is usually a "cooling-off" period of one or two days before it takes effect. This helps prevent impulsive decisions. You can set this up in your bank's app or by calling them.
United Kingdom
Monzo, Starling, Lloyds, Halifax, Barclays, NatWest, RBS, HSBC, Santander, Revolut, TSB, Nationwide
United States
Chime, USAA (limited gambling-merchant blocks), Discover (review merchant categories before disputing)
Canada
Most major banks have ways to block gambling payments; contact your bank to ask about their specific options
National Debtline (UK)
A free service that provides tools and advice to help you deal with debt.
Visit website
Citizens Advice (UK)
They provide free advice on money, housing, and other rights across the country.
Visit website
Money Management International (US)
This non-profit helps US residents with credit counseling and debt plans.
Visit website
Credit Counselling Canada
A network of non-profit agencies across Canada that offer free initial advice on debt.
Visit websiteKeeping family safe
Gambling problems usually affect more than just the person playing. Family and friends often see the signs first. Young people are also coming across gambling-style features in video games and apps earlier than before, which can lead to problems later on.
Worried about someone close to you
Gam-Anon provides free support meetings for the family and friends of people with gambling issues. You can also call the helplines listed above for support, even if you are not the one gambling.
Visit Gam-AnonProtecting young people
Features like loot boxes in games can introduce young people to the mechanics of gambling early. It is helpful to talk about this early; explain how games are designed to keep people playing and why it can be hard to stop. The BigDeal charity has excellent resources for both young people and parents.
If you're not sure how to bring it up
- →Start by saying what you have seen, rather than blaming them. You could ask, "I have noticed you are using that betting app quite a bit lately; how are you feeling about it?"
- →Try not to give ultimatums right away. These often make people feel defensive and can stop them from talking to you.
- →Suggest a simple next step. For example, mention that GamCare has a 24/7 chat service where they can talk to someone privately.
- →Remember to take care of yourself too. Many helplines have specific support just for the family members of people who gamble.
Support organizations we point to
These are the independent charities and support services we recommend on this page.
Online gambling is only for adults. The legal age depends on where you live; it is usually 18 or 21. It is your responsibility to make sure you are old enough to play in your region. Gambling sites check your age and identity when you sign up, and we encourage you to follow these rules.