☎ National Gambling Helpline · Free · 24/7 · Confidential
0808 8020 133
Operated by GamCare. Calls do not appear on itemised bills.
If gambling has stopped feeling like fun — that is a signal worth listening to. Help is free, available now, and works.
Where Pickzy stands
Pickzy features only online casinos that hold an active UKGC licence and are registered with GamStop. Every card in our set represents an operator required by UK law to provide deposit limits, loss limits, time-outs and self-exclusion. Where we find an operator failing to make these tools easy to use, that drops their PWR rating on Energy 005 (Player care) and they lose a rarity tier.
We are an independent collectible-card-style guide, not a substitute for professional support. The organisations listed below are.
Habits that help
- Set a budget before you start — and treat it as the cost of an evening's entertainment, not an investment.
- Set a deposit limit on the operator's site. Make it lower than you think you need.
- Never chase losses. Losses are part of how casino games work; trying to win them back rarely ends well.
- Don't gamble to escape stress, low mood or boredom — these are the conditions in which problem play takes root.
- Take regular breaks. Most operators offer reality-check pop-ups at 30, 60 or 90-minute intervals — turn them on.
- Never gamble with money set aside for rent, bills, food or family.
- Don't gamble while drinking or in any state that impairs your judgement.
Warning signs
Any one of these may be a signal; several together is a clear one.
- Spending more than planned, or more than you can afford to lose.
- Borrowing money — from family, friends, credit cards — to gamble.
- Lying about how much you play or how much you've lost.
- Trying to win back losses by gambling more ("chasing").
- Feeling anxious, restless or irritable when not gambling.
- Gambling interfering with work, study, sleep or relationships.
- Hiding gambling activity from a partner or family member.
- Feeling guilt, shame or low mood after a session.
Tools every UK casino must offer you
Under the UKGC's Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice, every UKGC-licensed operator must make the following tools available — free, and before you can place a stake:
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| Deposit limits | Daily, weekly or monthly caps on how much you can pay in. Lowering is immediate; raising has a 24-hour cooling-off. |
| Loss limits | A ceiling on net loss within a chosen period. Required in addition to deposit limits. |
| Session limits | A maximum length for a single play session, after which you are logged out. |
| Reality checks | On-screen reminders at 30, 60 or 90-minute intervals showing time elapsed and net win/loss. |
| Time-out | A cooling-off period of 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days or up to 6 weeks during which the operator must lock your account. |
| Self-exclusion | A binding block on your account for a minimum of 6 months. Cannot be reversed early. |
| GamStop | A single registration that blocks every UKGC-licensed online operator at once. See below. |
GamStop — UK national self-exclusion
GamStop is the UK's national online self-exclusion scheme. A single registration at gamstop.co.uk blocks you from logging into or registering at any UKGC-licensed online casino, sportsbook, bingo or lottery site for a chosen duration. The block is automatic, free, and cannot be lifted before the period ends.
- 6 months — minimum duration
- 1 year — most common
- 5 years — for those who want a longer commitment
UK organisations that can help
All of the organisations below are UK-based, free to contact, and treat every conversation in confidence.
BeGambleAware
The UK's leading independent charity working to keep people safe from gambling harms. Free advice, online chat, signposting to treatment. begambleaware.org
GamCare
Operates the National Gambling Helpline. Free, confidential support 24/7 by phone, live chat, WhatsApp and online forum. Phone: 0808 8020 133. gamcare.org.uk
GamStop
The national self-exclusion scheme described above. gamstop.co.uk
Gamblers Anonymous UK
A fellowship of people who share their experience to help others recover. In-person meetings across the UK, plus online meetings. gamblersanonymous.org.uk
GamAnon
Support for partners, family and friends affected by someone else's gambling. Group meetings and one-to-one support. gamanon.org.uk
NHS National Problem Gambling Clinic
Specialist NHS service for people with severe gambling difficulties. Self-referral available; treatment is free at the point of use. cnwl.nhs.uk
Blocking software
If you want to remove temptation at the device level — beyond GamStop's account-level block — third-party blocking software can prevent gambling websites and apps from loading on your devices:
- Gamban — covers phones, tablets and computers. Free for UK residents through GamCare.
- BetBlocker — free, registered UK charity. Covers all major platforms.
Protecting young people
UK law prohibits anyone under 18 from gambling on UKGC-licensed sites. If you are a parent or carer, the resources above include guidance on having conversations with young people about gambling — including the gambling-adjacent mechanics in some video games. The Action for Children parenting hub is a good starting point.
If today is hard
If you are in immediate distress, the Samaritans are available free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, on 116 123, or by email at jo@samaritans.org. They will listen — they will not judge, and they will not tell you what to do.
For gambling-specific help right now, the National Gambling Helpline number is at the top of this page: 0808 8020 133.
Contact us
If you'd like to flag a concern about an operator we feature, share feedback on this guide, or suggest an organisation we should add — email info@pickzy.click. We read every message.