Gambling should stay a form of entertainment, not a way to make money or solve a financial problem. Most people who gamble do so without any issue, but for some it can become difficult to control. This page covers practical tools you can use to stay in control, signs that gambling may have become a problem, and where to find support.
Tools to help you stay in control
Most licensed casinos and betting sites offer built in tools that let you set boundaries before you start playing rather than relying on willpower once you are already in the middle of a session.
Deposit and loss limits
You can set a maximum amount you are willing to deposit or lose over a day, week, or month. Once that limit is reached, the account will not allow further deposits until the period resets. Setting this before you play, rather than after a losing session, is what makes it actually effective.
Session time reminders
Many platforms let you set a reminder that pops up after a set amount of time, showing how long you have been playing and how much you have spent. This is useful because time can pass quickly during a session without you noticing.
Self-exclusion
Self-exclusion lets you lock yourself out of an account for a fixed period, ranging from a day to several years, or in some cases permanently. Most licensed operators are required to offer this, and it should be simple to activate through account settings or by contacting support directly.
Signs gambling may have become a problem
It is worth paying attention if you notice yourself gambling to escape stress or other problems, chasing losses with bigger bets to try to win money back, borrowing money or selling things to fund gambling, or lying to people close to you about how much time or money you are spending. Any one of these on its own is worth a closer look, and more than one appearing together is a stronger signal that it may be time to reach out for support.
Where to get help
If gambling has started to feel out of your control, for yourself or someone close to you, these organisations offer free and confidential support:
- BeGambleAware (UK): begambleaware.org
- GamCare (UK): gamcare.org.uk
- National Council on Problem Gambling (US): ncpgambling.org, helpline 1-800-522-4700
- Gambling Therapy (international): gamblingtherapy.org
Reaching out to one of these organisations directly is usually faster and more useful than contacting us through this site, since they are set up specifically to help with this.
Our commitment
All content on Gambling13 is intended for readers who are 18 years of age or older, or the legal gambling age in their jurisdiction, whichever is higher. We link to licensed operators that provide responsible gambling tools, and our guides highlight these tools rather than treating them as an afterthought. If you have feedback on how we cover responsible gambling, email us at info@gambling13.com.
