Responsible Gambling

According to the statutory British gambling regulator, the Gambling Commission, "Safe and responsible gambling comes from an industry that takes care of its customers, customers who are empowered with the knowledge to manage their gambling and a regulator that ensures the consumer is at the heart of everything we do." The information contained here is intended to address the first two of these criteria. As we promote the services of gambling providers on this site, we believe it is important that our customers are made aware of the risks that can be associated with gambling, as well as information about where they can find further advice and support should they require it.

Online gambling should be entertainment and a fun way to spend your time. However, there are times when it becomes more than that and the Fun Stops. Then it is time to take a break or consider quitting altogether.

We at BonusFinder promote responsible gambling. All the casinos, and sports betting sites we partner with have the option to set deposit limits or self exclude for a certain time period or permanently.

UK Gambling Problem Statistics

Understanding the scale of gambling harm in the UK is the first step toward addressing it. The following data comes from official sources including the UK Gambling Commission and NHS England.

Problem gambling affects people from all backgrounds. The UKGC defines a problem gambler as someone whose gambling causes harm to themselves or others including financial difficulty, relationship breakdown, mental health issues, and in severe cases, thoughts of self harm. If you recognise any of the signs below, free help is available today.

Signs of gambling problem

The definition of gambling problem, addiction or disorder varies in different countries and sources. The NHS recognises that being a compulsive gambler can harm your health and relationships, as well as leaving you in serious debt, and they provide treatment and support for people with a gambling addiction.

If you are worried that you have a gambling problem the NHS recommends that you ask yourself the following:

• Do you bet more than you can afford to lose? Gambling with money set aside for bills, rent, or food is one of the clearest early warning signs.
• Do you need to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling? This is tolerance the same mechanism that drives drug and alcohol addiction.
• Have you tried to win back money you have lost (chasing losses)? Chasing losses almost always leads to bigger losses. It is one of the most dangerous patterns in problem gambling.
• Have you borrowed money or sold anything to get money to gamble? Financial consequences at this level indicate a serious problem that typically worsens without intervention.
• Have you wondered whether you have a problem with gambling? The fact that you are asking the question is itself meaningful. Most people without a problem do not ask.
• Has your gambling caused you any health problems, including feelings of stress or anxiety? Problem gambling is strongly associated with depression, anxiety disorders, and poor sleep.
• Have other people criticised your betting or told you that you had a gambling problem? Friends and family often notice changes before the person affected does.
• Has your gambling caused any financial problems for you or your household? This includes unpaid bills, debt, or hiding bank statements from a partner.
• Have you ever felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble? Guilt is a common signal that gambling has crossed from entertainment into something more harmful.

Find out more information on the NHS Website. GamCare also offers free information, support and counselling for problem gamblers in the UK. They run the National Gambling Helpline (0808 802 0133) and offer face to face counselling.

BonusFinder Expert Pick

Get Help Now

GamCare National Gambling Helpline: 0808 802 0133 free, 24/7, confidential
GambleAware live chat: www.gambleaware.org
Gamblers Anonymous UK: 0330 094 0322 peer support meetings nationwide
BIGDEAL (under 18s): 0808 802 0133 free, confidential support for young people

How to gamble more safely

GambleAware is the UK's leading non profit organisation dedicated to educate on and fight against gambling related harms. Their ten point list of tips on how to gamble safely is a useful starting point:

1. Don't think of gambling as a way to make money
2. Only gamble with money you can afford to lose
3. Set a spending limit in advance
4. Set a time limit in advance
5. Never chase your losses
6. Don't gamble when you're depressed or upset
7. Balance gambling with other activities
8. Don't take your bank card with you
9. Take frequent breaks
10. Don't drink or use drugs when gambling

Whilst the list is aimed at all gamblers, it has equal merit for online players. We strongly recommend using deposit limits and session time limits available in your account settings at any licensed UK site. The UK Gambling Commission also has a guide on how to gamble safely with licensed businesses using the tools available to you.

How to Self Exclude in the UK

Self exclusion is one of the most effective tools available to anyone who feels their gambling is out of control. In the UK, you have two main options: a national scheme that covers all licensed online operators at once, or individual site level exclusions.

GamStop the National Online Self Exclusion

GamStop is the UK's national online self exclusion scheme. When you register, you are automatically excluded from every single UKGC licensed online gambling website and app all in one step. You do not need to contact each operator individually.

How to register with GamStop:

1. Go to www.gamstop.co.uk and click Get Self Exclusion.
2. Enter your name, date of birth, email address, postal address, and mobile number.
3. Choose your exclusion period: 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years.
4. Submit the form. Your exclusion takes effect within 24 hours.
5. Once active, it cannot be reversed early this protects you during vulnerable moments.

After your exclusion period ends, you must actively choose to remove the exclusion. It does not lapse automatically.

Retail (Land Based) Self Exclusion

GamStop only covers online gambling. To self exclude from betting shops, bingo halls, or casinos, contact each venue directly or ask staff for their self exclusion scheme. Many high street operators (Ladbrokes, William Hill, Coral, Betfred) operate the Multi Operator Self Exclusion Scheme (MOSES), which covers all their retail locations with a single registration.

Individual Site Self Exclusion

To exclude from one specific site, log into your account and navigate to Account Settings → Responsible Gambling → Self Exclusion. Select your exclusion duration and confirm. You will be locked out immediately, and the site is required by UKGC licence conditions to stop all marketing and return any remaining balance.

UK Deposit Limits and Account Controls

Every UKGC licensed gambling site is legally required to offer a full suite of responsible gambling tools. These are free to use and available in your account settings at any time.

To access any of these tools, log into your account and navigate to Account Settings → Responsible Gambling. If a site does not offer these options, you can report it to the UKGC directly operators are legally obligated to provide them.

RAiG Membership

BonusFinder UK is a proud member of RAiG. The association aims to foster wider initiatives in the UK affiliate marketing sector to promote social responsibility and help create a safer gambling environment for consumers. The body was founded in May 2019 and as a condition of membership, each member will be subject to an annual social responsibility audit which will be conducted by an independent third party. For full details of the social responsibility audit that we have passed you can read more details here.

Recent UK Responsible Gambling Initiatives

The UK gambling industry has seen significant regulatory changes and operator commitments in recent years. Here are the most important developments shaping responsible gambling in Great Britain.

Last updated: 01/04/2026