Gambling Help & Support

Chia Film writes about casino games because many adults enjoy them, but enjoying a game and being harmed by it can sit closer together than people expect. This page gathers the practical side of keeping gambling in its place: who it is for, what the early warning signs look like, which limits help, and where to turn if things have gone further than you wanted.

Strictly for adults

Gambling is for people aged 18 or over, or older where local law sets a higher age. If you share a computer or phone with younger people, consider using the parental-control or content-filter settings on your device and keeping gambling apps and saved logins out of their reach.

Remember what the games are

Every casino game carries a house edge. Over time, the operator is built to keep part of what is staked. That is the price of the entertainment, and no system, strategy or streak removes it. Our explainers on RTP in slots and baccarat's house edge show where that price comes from.

Warning signs worth taking seriously

• Spending more money or time than you planned, more often than not.
• Playing to win back money you have lost.
• Borrowing, using credit or selling things to fund gambling.
• Hiding how much you play from people close to you.
• Feeling restless, irritable or low when you try to cut down.
• Gambling to escape worry, boredom or a bad mood.
• Missing work, study, sleep or time with family because of play.

One sign on its own does not mean someone has a problem, but several together are a reason to pause and take stock.

Limits that make a difference

1. Set a budget before you start and treat it as spent. Our guide to bankroll management shows one simple way to do this.
2. Use account tools. Licensed operators commonly offer deposit limits, loss limits, session reminders and time-outs. Set them when you are calm, not mid-session.
3. Set a time limit and use an alarm rather than relying on willpower.
4. Hold your play money apart from the account that pays rent, food and bills.
5. Avoid playing when tired, upset or after drinking.
6. Take regular breaks, including whole days or weeks without play.

Self-exclusion and blocking

If cutting down is not working, self-exclusion lets you block yourself from gambling with an operator for a set period. Many countries also run national schemes that cover several operators at once. Gambling-blocking software for phones and computers can add a further layer, and banks in some countries let customers block gambling payments on their cards.

Where to look for help

Free, confidential support is available in many countries. Good places to start include:

• your national or regional gambling helpline, which you can usually find through your gambling regulator's website;
• your family doctor or local health service, who can point you towards treatment;
• peer-support groups for people affected by gambling, and separate groups for family members;
• free debt-advice services, if money worries have built up.

The safer-gambling or responsible-gambling page of any licensed operator should also list support contacts for your area. If you ever feel unsafe or in crisis, contact your local emergency services straight away.

When it is a friend or relative who is struggling

Talk calmly, without blame, at a moment when neither of you is under pressure. Avoid lending money to cover losses. Support services help family and friends too, so you do not have to work it out alone.