Responsible Gambling

At Best Non-GamStop Casinos UK, we are committed to promoting responsible gambling. While we review and recommend casinos that operate outside the GamStop self-exclusion scheme, we firmly believe that player welfare must always come first. Gambling should be an enjoyable form of entertainment — never a source of financial hardship or emotional distress.

This page provides comprehensive information about responsible gambling, including how to recognise problem gambling, tools available to help you stay in control, and where to find professional support if you or someone you know is struggling.

What Is Responsible Gambling?

Responsible gambling means making informed choices about how you gamble and maintaining control over your gambling behaviour. It involves understanding the risks, setting limits, and recognising when gambling is no longer enjoyable or is causing harm.

Key principles of responsible gambling include:

• Treating gambling as entertainment, not as a way to make money
• Only gambling with money you can afford to lose
• Setting time and money limits before you start playing
• Never chasing losses
• Not gambling when you are upset, stressed, depressed, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Balancing gambling with other activities and hobbies
• Being honest with yourself and others about your gambling habits

Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can develop gradually, and it is not always easy to recognise in yourself or others. If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, it may be a sign that your gambling is becoming problematic:

• Spending more than you can afford: Are you gambling with money that should be used for essential bills, rent, food, or other necessities?
• Chasing losses: Do you continue gambling to try to win back money you have lost?
• Borrowing to gamble: Have you borrowed money, sold possessions, or taken out loans to fund your gambling?
• Neglecting responsibilities: Has gambling caused you to miss work, neglect family obligations, or fall behind on important tasks?
• Lying about gambling: Do you hide the extent of your gambling from friends, family, or partners?
• Feeling unable to stop: Have you tried to cut down or stop gambling but found it difficult or impossible?
• Gambling to escape: Do you gamble to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, or other difficult emotions?
• Losing interest in other activities: Have you lost interest in hobbies, social activities, or things you used to enjoy because of gambling?
• Relationship problems: Has gambling caused arguments, tension, or breakdowns in your relationships?
• Feeling anxious or irritable: Do you feel restless, anxious, or irritable when you are not gambling or when you try to stop?
• Increasing stakes: Do you need to gamble with larger amounts or more frequently to achieve the same level of excitement?
• Preoccupation with gambling: Do you spend a lot of time thinking about gambling, planning your next session, or reliving past wins or losses?

If you recognise any of these signs in yourself or someone you know, please seek help. The support organisations listed below offer free, confidential assistance.

Self-Exclusion Tools

Self-exclusion is one of the most effective tools for managing problem gambling. It allows you to voluntarily ban yourself from gambling sites and venues for a set period. Here are the main self-exclusion options available to UK players:

GamStop

GamStop is the UK's free self-exclusion scheme for online gambling. When you register with GamStop, all UK Gambling Commission-licensed online gambling companies are required to prevent you from gambling with them for your chosen period (6 months, 1 year, or 5 years).

• Website: gamstop.co.uk
• Cost: Free
• Periods available: 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years
• Scope: All UKGC-licensed online gambling operators

Casino Self-Exclusion Tools

Most reputable non-GamStop casinos, including those we recommend, offer their own responsible gambling tools. These typically include:

• Deposit limits: Set daily, weekly, or monthly caps on how much you can deposit
• Loss limits: Set maximum amounts you are willing to lose within a specific period
• Wager limits: Control the maximum amount you can bet per session or per period
• Session time limits: Set reminders or automatic logouts after a specified playing time
• Cool-off periods: Temporarily suspend your account for 24 hours, 48 hours, or longer
• Self-exclusion: Permanently or temporarily close your account at a specific casino
• Reality checks: Receive periodic notifications showing how long you have been playing and your net position

We recommend setting deposit and time limits at every casino you use, regardless of whether you consider yourself at risk of problem gambling. These tools are preventative measures that help all players stay in control.

Software Blocking Tools

If you want to block access to gambling websites on your devices, the following tools can help:

• Gamban: gamban.com — Software that blocks access to thousands of gambling websites and apps across all your devices. Free for UK residents via the NHS and other support schemes.
• BetBlocker: betblocker.org — A free, charitable app that blocks gambling sites across your devices.
• Net Nanny / parental controls: Parental control software can be configured to block gambling websites, which is useful for protecting minors in your household.

Support Organisations

If you or someone you know is affected by problem gambling, the following organisations provide free, confidential support. You do not need to be in crisis to reach out — these services are available to anyone who has questions or concerns about their gambling.

GamCare

GamCare is the leading provider of free information, support, and counselling for anyone affected by gambling problems in the UK.

• Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Live chat: Available at gamcare.org.uk
• Online forum: A supportive community of people affected by gambling
• Counselling: Free one-to-one counselling sessions (face-to-face, telephone, or online)
• Netline: Online chat support for young people

BeGambleAware

BeGambleAware provides information and resources to help people make informed decisions about their gambling.

• Website: begambleaware.org
• Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (operated by GamCare on behalf of BeGambleAware)
• Treatment referral: BeGambleAware funds the National Gambling Treatment Service, which provides free treatment across England, Scotland, and Wales
• Self-assessment tools: Online questionnaires to help you evaluate your gambling behaviour

Gambling Therapy

Gambling Therapy offers free online support and practical advice for anyone affected by problem gambling.

• Website: gamblingtherapy.org
• Live chat: Confidential one-to-one chat with trained advisers
• Peer support: Online groups moderated by professionals
• Self-help resources: Tools and guides to help you understand and manage gambling behaviour
• Multi-language support: Available in multiple languages for international players

Gamblers Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope to solve their common problem of compulsive gambling.

• Website: gamblersanonymous.org.uk
• Meetings: Free meetings held throughout the UK (in-person and online)
• Support line: 0330 094 0322

Citizens Advice

If gambling has led to financial difficulties, Citizens Advice provides free, impartial guidance on debt management and financial support.

• Website: citizensadvice.org.uk
• Helpline: 0800 144 8848 (England) / 0800 702 2020 (Wales)

Tips for Gambling Responsibly

Whether you are an experienced gambler or new to online casinos, these practical tips will help you maintain a healthy relationship with gambling:

Set a Budget and Stick to It

Before you start playing, decide how much money you are willing to spend and treat it as the cost of entertainment. Once you have spent your budget, stop playing. Never deposit more money to chase losses. Use the deposit limit tools available at your casino to enforce this automatically.

Set a Time Limit

It is easy to lose track of time when gambling online. Set an alarm or use the session time limit features offered by most casinos. When your time is up, log out — regardless of whether you are winning or losing.

Never Chase Losses

Chasing losses is one of the most common and dangerous gambling behaviours. Accept that losses are part of gambling, and resist the urge to keep playing in an attempt to recover what you have lost. The odds do not change, and chasing losses typically leads to larger losses.

Do Not Gamble Under the Influence

Alcohol and drugs impair judgement and lower inhibitions, making it much harder to make rational decisions about your gambling. Never gamble when you are intoxicated or under the influence of any substance.

Do Not Gamble When Emotional

Avoid gambling when you are feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, lonely, or upset. Using gambling as an emotional coping mechanism is a warning sign of problem gambling. If you are going through a difficult time, speak to a friend, family member, or professional counsellor instead.

Take Regular Breaks

Step away from the screen regularly. Take breaks to stretch, hydrate, and reflect on your session. Continuous, uninterrupted gambling can lead to poor decision-making and excessive spending.

Understand the Games You Play

Learn the rules, odds, and house edge of any game before you play it. Understanding that the house always has a mathematical advantage helps set realistic expectations. No strategy can guarantee winnings in the long run.

Keep Gambling Separate from Finances

Do not use credit cards, overdrafts, loans, or money borrowed from others to gamble. Keep your gambling funds completely separate from your household budget, savings, and essential expenses.

Balance Gambling with Other Activities

Ensure gambling does not become your sole form of entertainment or social interaction. Maintain a healthy balance with other hobbies, activities, and relationships.

Be Honest with Yourself and Others

If you find yourself hiding your gambling from friends or family, or lying about how much time or money you spend, this is a significant warning sign. Openness and honesty are essential for maintaining a healthy relationship with gambling.

Age Verification

Protecting minors from gambling is a responsibility shared by operators, regulators, parents, and guardians. Here is what you can do:

• Supervise device use: Monitor what children and young people access on shared computers, tablets, and smartphones
• Use parental controls: Enable parental control features on devices and web browsers to block gambling websites
• Install blocking software: Tools like Net Nanny, BetBlocker, and built-in device restrictions can prevent access to gambling content
• Educate young people: Talk to children and teenagers about the risks of gambling and why it is restricted to adults
• Secure your accounts: Never leave gambling accounts logged in on shared devices, and use strong, unique passwords
• Do not let minors watch you gamble: Avoid normalising gambling behaviour by not playing in front of children

Responsible Gambling at Non-GamStop Casinos

We recognise that reviewing and recommending non-GamStop casinos carries a particular responsibility. These casinos exist outside the UK Gambling Commission's regulatory framework, which means some of the protections available at UKGC-licensed sites may not apply. However, this does not mean responsible gambling should be any less of a priority.

What We Expect from Casinos We Recommend

Every casino on our recommended lists must demonstrate a commitment to responsible gambling. Specifically, we require that our recommended casinos offer:

• Deposit limit tools (daily, weekly, and monthly)
• Session time limits or reality check reminders
• Self-exclusion options (temporary and permanent)
• Cool-off periods
• Clear information about responsible gambling on their website
• Links to support organisations
• Age verification procedures

Casinos that do not meet these minimum responsible gambling standards are not featured on our site, regardless of how attractive their bonuses or games may be.

Our Commitment

As a team of gambling industry professionals, we are acutely aware of the potential harms associated with gambling. We are committed to:

• Promoting responsible gambling in all of our content
• Providing clear, accessible information about support services
• Never encouraging excessive gambling or irresponsible behaviour
• Clearly disclosing our affiliate relationships
• Only recommending casinos with adequate responsible gambling tools
• Regularly reviewing and updating our responsible gambling resources

Quick Reference: Help Resources

Remember: gambling should be fun. If it stops being fun, stop gambling.

If you have any questions about our responsible gambling commitment or need assistance finding support, please do not hesitate to contact us.