Responsible Gambling

Responsible gambling means keeping play affordable, time-limited and within your control, and knowing what to do when it stops being fun. This page is for adults aged 18 and over in the UK. It explains the protections that exist, what you give up when you use a casino outside the British system, and where to get free help. It was last fact-checked on 29 September 2026.

Casino Not On Gamstop reviews casinos that are not part of GAMSTOP. That is a choice with real trade-offs, and we would rather state them plainly than bury them. If gambling is causing you harm, skip to the support section below first.

If gambling is already causing problems

Stop depositing and get support. These services are free and confidential:

• National Gambling Helpline (GamCare): 0808 8020 133, open 24 hours a day, plus live chat via the GamCare website.
• GAMSTOP: a free service that lets you self-exclude from online gambling companies licensed in Great Britain.
• BeGambleAware: information, tools and treatment routes.
• StepChange or Citizens Advice: free debt guidance if losses have created money worries.

Gambling is entertainment that costs money. It is not income, and it is never a way to solve financial problems. Please verify current contact details on each organisation's own website, as they can change.

What GAMSTOP does, and what it does not

GAMSTOP is the national online self-exclusion scheme for Great Britain. Once you register, every online operator holding a UK Gambling Commission licence must stop marketing to you and block your access. You choose an exclusion period of six months, one year or five years. The exclusion cannot be cancelled early. When the period ends, you must take action to have it lifted, so it does not vanish silently.

Its limits matter. It covers operators licensed in Great Britain, not every site that accepts British visitors. It does not stop you opening an account with an overseas operator. It also does not cover betting shops or casinos you visit in person, which have their own venue self-exclusion schemes.

Why non-GAMSTOP casinos carry extra risk

A casino "not on GAMSTOP" generally holds a licence from another jurisdiction, and operators often cite Curaçao. Accepting British customers is not the same as being authorised to serve them under British rules. Points worth knowing:

• Self-exclusion does not carry over. If you have registered with GAMSTOP, these sites will not know, and nothing will stop you playing there.
• Different standards. UK affordability checks, mandatory limits tools and the UKGC complaints framework do not apply in the same way.
• Weaker recourse. Disputes go to the operator, then possibly the overseas licensor or a dispute service it names, not to the UK regulator.
• Bigger bonuses, stricter terms. Large welcome offers usually come with high wagering, capped cashouts and maximum bet rules.

If you have self-excluded because you needed to, please do not use these sites to get round it. Ask your bank about gambling blocks, and consider gambling blocking software such as Gamban, BetBlocker or Cold Turkey Blocker on your devices.

Tools worth setting before you play

1. Set a deposit limit. Decide on a daily, weekly or monthly figure from spare money only, for example £20 a week, before you register. Check the cashier or account settings for a limits page.
2. Set a loss limit if offered. This caps net losses, not just deposits.
3. Use session reminders. Set a phone alarm if the site has no timer.
4. Find self-exclusion or time-out first. Confirm it exists and how to activate it. Some offshore sites offer only a manual request to support.
5. Keep gambling money separate. Do not use overdrafts, borrowed money or money needed for bills.
6. Never chase losses. Extending play to win money back is the commonest route to harm.

Warning signs to take seriously

• Gambling for longer or with more money than you planned
• Hiding activity from family or friends
• Borrowing to gamble or missing bills
• Feeling irritable when you cannot play
• Reverse-withdrawing winnings to keep playing

If two or more sound familiar, take a break and speak to GamCare.

How bonus terms affect control

Bonuses can push you to play more than you meant to. Before accepting one, check:

• Wagering requirement: the multiple of the bonus, sometimes bonus plus deposit, you must stake before withdrawing. At 35x, a £100 bonus means £3,500 of bets.
• Game contribution: slots usually count in full; table and live games often count little or nothing.
• Maximum bet while wagering and expiry dates.
• Cashout caps on winnings from bonus funds or free spins.

You can decline a bonus. Playing with your own money and no wagering attached is often simpler to manage.

Payments, cards and keeping spending visible

Credit cards are barred for gambling with UKGC-licensed operators in Great Britain, because gambling on borrowed money magnifies harm. Some offshore sites may still accept them, and we cannot confirm that any given site does so for UK customers. Gambling on credit is the riskiest way to play. We do not encourage it, and we suggest using a debit card or another method funded from your own money.

• Check whether accounts are held in GBP. Otherwise your bank may add currency conversion fees.
• Check payment fees, minimum deposits and withdrawal limits before depositing.
• Cryptocurrency values can change quickly, which makes spending harder to track.
• Ask your bank about gambling transaction blocks or spending alerts.

Expect identity verification (KYC) before a first withdrawal, and possibly source-of-funds checks for larger sums. Delays are common when documents are missing, so upload them early. We do not promise any withdrawal time or outcome.

Sports betting and shared wallets

Many casino sites also offer sportsbooks, including esports, pre-match and in-play markets, accumulators, bet builders and cash-out. In-play betting and accumulators move fast and can raise spending. A shared wallet means casino and sports losses come from one balance, so a limit needs to cover both. Decimal odds of 2.00 return £2 for every £1 staked including the stake, and that is not a guarantee of anything.

Checking a casino before you sign up

• Find the licence number and issuing body in the footer, and check it with the licensor. We do not claim any brand is safe.
• Look for the operator's ownership and company details.
• Read the terms on bonuses, withdrawals and closed accounts.
• Find the complaints procedure and customer support contact routes.
• Test that limits and self-exclusion exist before you deposit.

Casinos we list, such as Betmica, Kikibet and Betninja, are ranked from publisher-supplied selections and editorial ratings. The offers advertised (for instance Betmica's 570% up to £5,700 plus 270 free spins) are casino advertising, and we have not verified their full terms here. We have not tested deposits or withdrawals with any of them. Each listed site should be checked for responsible gambling tools, and we have not confirmed what each provides.

How we approach this

We may earn commission if you join through our links, but commission does not buy ranking position. Read more on About Us, and see our Terms and Conditions. For casino comparisons with these points in mind, see our non GamStop casinos guide. Questions or corrections can go through Contact Us.

Common questions

Can I use GAMSTOP and still play at non-GAMSTOP casinos?

Technically you might be able to, but doing so undermines the protection you chose. If you registered because gambling was a problem, do not use these sites.

Are non-GAMSTOP casinos illegal for UK players?

Players are not usually prosecuted for using them, but the operators are generally not licensed by the UKGC, so British consumer protections may not apply. Take independent legal advice if unsure.

Can I end a GAMSTOP exclusion early?

No. It runs for the period you selected. Afterwards you must ask for it to be lifted.

What is the age limit?

You must be 18 or over. Do not let under-18s access your accounts or devices.