Responsible Gambling | Lavery Pennell

1. What is responsible gambling?

Responsible gambling means treating play as optional entertainment rather than a source of income, emotional relief or financial recovery. It involves setting limits before you begin, understanding that losses are a normal outcome over time and being willing to stop when gambling stops feeling manageable or enjoyable.

2. Age restriction – 18+ only

In the UK, gambling is for adults only. Online slots, casino games and related products must not be used by anyone under 18, and licensed operators are required to carry out age checks. If you are a parent or guardian concerned about a young person’s behaviour online, consider speaking with them directly, contacting the operator if relevant and using device-level blocking or parental controls where needed.

3. Signs of problem gambling

Gambling harm can affect people gradually or very quickly. Spotting the warning signs early makes it easier to intervene before the financial or emotional impact becomes more serious. Common signs include:

• Spending more money or time on gambling than you can afford or intended.
• Chasing losses – trying to win back money you have lost by gambling more.
• Lying to family, friends, or employers about how much you gamble or how much you have lost.
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or getting into debt to gamble.
• Feeling stressed, anxious, or irritable when you try to cut down or stop.
• Gambling to escape problems or to improve your mood.
• Neglecting work, studies, or relationships because of gambling.

If any of these points feel familiar, take them seriously. The tools below can help create space straight away, and professional support is available without judgment and usually without charge.

4. Tools to stay in control

Licensed operators are expected to offer account controls that can help reduce harm. These tools are most effective when set early and reviewed regularly rather than only after a difficult session.

• Deposit limits: set a maximum amount you can deposit per day, week, or month. Once set, increases usually take effect after a cooling-off period; decreases are often immediate.
• Loss limits: some sites let you set a limit on how much you can lose in a given period.
• Session time limits and reminders: limit how long you can play in one session, or get reminders at intervals so you can decide whether to continue.
• Reality checks: periodic pop-ups showing how long you have been playing and how much you have won or lost in that session.
• Self-exclusion from a single site: you can ask an operator to exclude you from their site (or app) for a period (e.g. 6 months, 1 year, or longer). During that time you cannot use your account to gamble.
• Cooling-off period: a short break (e.g. 24 hours or 48 hours) during which you cannot access your account.

These settings are usually available in the account area, cashier or a section labelled “Responsible Gambling” or “Stay in Control”. If you plan to gamble at all, setting a deposit cap and a time reminder before you begin is often one of the simplest ways to stay grounded.

5. GamStop – self-exclusion from all UK licensed sites

GamStop is a free national self-exclusion service for people who want a stronger barrier between themselves and UKGC-licensed gambling brands. Once registered, you choose an exclusion period and should be unable to open or use accounts with participating operators during that time. You can register at www.gamstop.co.uk. It is still important to avoid looking for workarounds through offshore or non-participating sites.

6. Where to get help and support

If you are worried about your own gambling or the gambling of someone close to you, support is available. The organisations below provide practical advice, helplines, counselling or peer-led support:

• BeGambleAware: information and support for anyone affected by gambling. Website: www.begambleaware.org. Free helpline (England, Scotland, Wales): 0808 8020 133 (available 24/7).
• GambleAware: funds prevention and treatment services and provides information. Website: www.gambleaware.org.
• GamCare: free support, advice, and counselling. Website: www.gamcare.org.uk. Helpline: 0808 8020 133.
• Gamblers Anonymous UK: peer support through meetings and fellowship. Website: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk.
• National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (24/7, free from UK landlines and mobiles).

If the situation feels urgent, contact the National Gambling Helpline, your GP or emergency services as appropriate. Gambling-related distress can affect sleep, finances, relationships and mental health quickly, so asking for help early is a positive step rather than an overreaction.

7. Our commitment

Lavery Pennell is an information and comparison website, not a gambling operator. Our aim is to reduce harm by keeping safer gambling information visible and by avoiding messaging that presents gambling as a solution or necessity.

• Linking only to operators that are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (or otherwise clearly stated) and that are required to offer responsible gambling tools.
• Including responsible gambling information and links to support organisations on our site (including this page and in our footer).
• Not targeting under-18s or vulnerable people, and not encouraging excessive or problematic gambling.
• Being clear that gambling carries a risk of loss and that it is not a way to solve financial or personal problems.

We cannot control how any individual uses gambling products, but we can make support information easier to find and encourage readers to set boundaries before problems escalate. If you choose to gamble, please use the controls and support options listed here.

8. Further information

The UK Gambling Commission provides consumer information and regulates gambling in Great Britain: www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk. If you are dealing with a complaint about a licensed operator, the casino’s own complaints process and its ADR provider may also be relevant.