Responsible Gambling Resources
Gambling should be entertainment, not a way to make money or solve financial problems. This page collects free, confidential support services by country, self-exclusion schemes, and blocking tools — you're welcome to share or link to it.
Get help now
United States
- National Problem Gambling Helpline (NCPG)
Call 1-800-522-4700, text 800GAM, or chat online. Free, confidential, 24/7.
United Kingdom
- National Gambling Helpline (GamCare)
Call 0808 8020 133 free, or use live chat / WhatsApp. 24/7.
- GambleAware — National Gambling Support Network
Free treatment and support services across England, Scotland and Wales.
- GAMSTOP
Free national self-exclusion from all UKGC-licensed online gambling sites.
South Africa
- National Responsible Gambling Programme (SARGF)
Free, confidential counselling: toll-free 0800 006 008, or WhatsApp/SMS 076 675 0710.
- National Gambling Board
Regulator's information on legal gambling, licensed operators and self-exclusion in South Africa.
Canada
- ConnexOntario
Ontario's free mental health, addiction and problem gambling line: 1-866-531-2600, 24/7.
Australia
- Gambling Help Online / National Gambling Helpline
Call 1800 858 858 or use online counselling and live chat. 24/7.
- BetStop
National self-exclusion register for licensed online and phone wagering.
Worldwide
- Gamblers Anonymous
Peer support meetings in person and online across many countries.
- Gambling Therapy (Gordon Moody)
Free multilingual online support for anyone affected by gambling, anywhere.
Warning signs
If several of these sound familiar, it may be time to talk to someone:
- Spending more money or time gambling than you intended, repeatedly.
- Needing to bet larger amounts to get the same excitement.
- Chasing losses — gambling again to win back what you lost.
- Borrowing money, selling possessions or missing bills to gamble.
- Hiding gambling from family or feeling irritable when trying to cut back.
- Gambling to escape stress, low mood or other problems.
Practical limits before you play
- Set a deposit and time limit before you start, and stick to it.
- Never chase losses by increasing your bets to win back money.
- Avoid playing when upset, stressed, or under the influence of alcohol.
- Take regular breaks and treat gambling as one form of entertainment among others.
- Use the deposit limits, reality checks, cool-off and self-exclusion tools licensed casinos must offer.
- Understand the maths: our RTP & house edge calculator shows the expected cost of a session before you play.
Blocking tools
- Gamban
Device-level blocking of gambling sites and apps.
- BetBlocker
Free, charity-run gambling site blocker for phones and computers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are gambling helplines free and confidential?+
Yes. Every national helpline listed on this page is free to contact and confidential. You don't need to give your name, and you don't need to be in crisis to call — they also help friends and family members.
What is self-exclusion?+
Self-exclusion is a formal request to be blocked from gambling for a fixed period. National schemes such as GAMSTOP (UK) and BetStop (Australia) apply across every licensed operator at once, instead of one site at a time.
Does a high RTP mean I will win?+
No. RTP is a long-run theoretical average across millions of spins. Over any single session the result is random, and every casino game carries a built-in house edge, so the expected result of gambling is always a loss.
How do I set a gambling budget?+
Decide on an amount you can afford to lose entirely — money not needed for bills, savings or debt — before you start, set a matching deposit limit in your casino account, and stop when it's gone. Never top up to chase losses.
Every casino we list must be licensed in an applicable jurisdiction and support basic player-protection tools. Only gamble if you are of legal age in your jurisdiction (18+ or 21+ depending on location).