Gambling can be an enjoyable leisure activity, but it carries real risks. Understanding those risks and knowing how to manage your play are the foundations of keeping gambling safe and in control.
Recognising Problem Gambling
Problem gambling is not always obvious. It can develop gradually, and the signs are not always financial. Common warning signs include:
- Spending more time or money gambling than you intended
- Chasing losses by placing further bets to recover money already lost
- Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when not gambling
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
- Neglecting work, study, relationships, or personal wellbeing
- Lying to family or friends about how much you gamble
- Using gambling to escape stress, depression, or other difficulties
Recognising these patterns in yourself or someone close to you is an important first step.
Practical Steps to Stay in Control
Regardless of where or how you gamble, there are practical habits that help keep play within safe limits:
- Set a budget before you play and treat any losses as the cost of entertainment, not a debt to be recovered.
- Treat winnings as a bonus, not as expected income or a reason to increase your stakes.
- Take regular breaks during sessions to maintain a clear perspective on how long and how much you have played.
- Never gamble under the influence of alcohol or substances that affect your judgement.
- Balance gambling with other activities so it does not become your primary source of entertainment or social interaction.
- Keep track of time and spending by using a clock or timer and reviewing your activity regularly.
Seeking Help and Support
If gambling is causing harm, confidential help is available. The following organisations provide free support, counselling, and information to people affected by gambling problems, including family members and friends:
- GamCare — provides a helpline, online chat, and face-to-face counselling in Great Britain. Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (available 24 hours a day).
- Gamblers Anonymous — a peer-support fellowship with meetings available in many countries. Visit www.gamblersanonymous.org to find a local group.
- BeGambleAware — offers information, self-assessment tools, and referrals to treatment services in Great Britain. Visit www.begambleaware.org.
- Gordon Moody — provides residential treatment programmes and online therapy for people with serious gambling disorders in Great Britain.
If you are outside Great Britain, search for a national gambling helpline in your country. Many jurisdictions have publicly funded services staffed by trained counsellors.
Gambling and Young People
Gambling products are intended for adults only. If you share a device with younger family members, consider steps to prevent access to gambling websites, such as using parental control software. Openly discussing the risks of gambling with young people helps build awareness before they encounter it independently.
Self-Exclusion Schemes
Self-exclusion allows a person to request that gambling operators block their access for a defined period. Registering at www.gamstop.co.uk applies your exclusion across participating sites simultaneously.