What should I do if I relapse?

Tell someone you trust, lengthen self-exclusion, keep blocking tools enabled, and speak with a trained adviser (e.g., via GamCare). Relapse can be part of recovery; support helps you regain control.

Responsible Gambling

Q: What is responsible gambling?

Responsible gambling means betting as entertainment within clear time and money limits, using safeguards like deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion to prevent harm. If limits slip, stop and seek support.

Q: How do I set effective betting limits?

Choose limits when calm. Apply deposit, loss, stake, and time limits in your betting accounts and enable bank gambling blocks to make impulsive changes harder.

Q: What are the signs of problem gambling?

Chasing losses, secrecy, borrowing or using credit to gamble, missing commitments, and feeling unable to stop. If several apply, pause and contact a helpline such as GamCare.

Q: What is self-exclusion and how do I do it?

Self-exclusion blocks you from gambling accounts for a chosen period. In the UK, use GAMSTOP for online operators and SENSE or MOSES for casinos and betting shops.

Q: How can I block gambling sites and apps?

Install blocking software such as Gamban or BetBlocker, and combine with bank gambling blocks and self-exclusion for layered protection.

Responsible gambling means staying in control: setting limits, recognising risks early, and knowing where to get help.
This guide is written for football and horse racing bettors — with a UK focus — but the principles apply anywhere.
Educational only; not financial advice. If betting affects your life or finances, stop and get support.

Need help now? In the UK you can contact the National Gambling Helpline (GamCare) on 0808 8020 133 (24/7) or live chat via
GamCare.org.uk.
Free multi-operator online self-exclusion: GAMSTOP.
Blocking software: Gamban (paid) or BetBlocker (free).

🧭 What is Responsible Gambling?
💳 Setting Limits that Work
🚩 Warning Signs & Self-Check
⚽🏇 Tips for Football & Racing Bettors
🔒 Tools: Blocks, Time-Outs, Exclusion
🇬🇧 UK-Specific Support
💼 Money & Banking Safety
📝 Build Your Personal Safety Plan
❓ FAQs

🧭 What is Responsible Gambling?

It’s gambling for entertainment with clear boundaries. You control your time and money, never the other way around.

Bet for fun — not to pay bills or escape problems.
Use pre-set deposit/time/loss limits.
Take regular time-outs and breaks.
Track spending and emotions around betting.

Learn the basics If you choose to bet, start with fundamentals in our
Betting Guide & Strategies – Football & Horse Racing.

💳 Setting Limits that Work (and sticking to them)

Limits reduce harm and decision fatigue. Set them before you place a bet and lock them in with operator tools.

Limit	Purpose	Practical Example
Deposit limit	Caps how much you can add to your account	£50 per week
Loss limit	Stops you after a bad run	£30 per week net loss
Stake limit	Prevents oversized bets	Max £5 per selection
Time limit	Controls session length	45 mins per day
Reality checks	On-screen reminders	Pop-up every 20 mins
Time-out	Short breaks to reset	48 hours after losses

Tip Decide limits when calm. If you’re tempted to adjust them, that’s a signal to take a longer break.

🚩 Warning Signs & Self-Check

If you recognise several of these, consider stopping and seeking support:

Chasing losses or increasing stakes to “win it back”.
Hiding betting from family/friends; lying about time or money spent.
Betting when stressed, angry, or after drinking.
Missing work/study or selling possessions to fund bets.
Using credit to gamble or falling behind on bills.
Feeling anxious, guilty, or unable to stop once you start.

If you feel out of control, pause now and speak to a trained adviser via
GamCare (24/7). In crisis or danger, contact local emergency services or
Samaritans.

⚽🏇 Practical Tips for Football & Horse Racing Bettors

Football

Prefer win singles over huge accas — variance on accas can spiral losses.
Avoid in-play chasing; set a pre-match plan and stick to it.
Skip “tilt games” (derbies/six-pointers) if you’re emotionally invested.

Horse Racing

Use modest, level stakes; keep accas/longshots as small-stake fun only.
Don’t “martingale” after near misses — that’s chasing.
Take breaks on busy festival days; long cards + quick turnarounds = fatigue mistakes.

We keep staking simple in our content. See our football hub:
Football Tips & Previews.

🔒 Tools to Stay in Control: Blocks, Time-Outs & Self-Exclusion

Account Tools: deposit/stake/loss/time limits, reality checks, time-out, and self-exclusion with your bookmaker(s).
Device Blocks: install Gamban (paid) or BetBlocker (free) to block gambling sites/apps.
Network & DNS: enable parental/DoH filters to curb access across devices (advanced users).
Email & Ads: unsubscribe from promo emails; reduce nudges to “log back in”.

Pro move Combine an operator self-exclusion with a device block and a bank gambling block for layered protection.

🇬🇧 UK-Specific Support & Self-Exclusion

GAMSTOP — free, nationwide online self-exclusion (all UK-licensed operators): gamstop.co.uk
GamCare — 24/7 advice, live chat, and treatment info: gamcare.org.uk
BeGambleAware — education & signposting: begambleaware.org
TalkBanStop — GamCare + Gamban + GAMSTOP partnership: talkbanstop.com
SENSE — in-person casino self-exclusion (UK): search “SENSE self-exclusion UK”.
MOSES — high-street betting shop self-exclusion: search “Self-exclude UK betting shops”.
NHS — support for gambling addiction: NHS help
Debt help — StepChange, Citizens Advice

Outside the UK? Check your national regulator and local helplines; many countries now offer central self-exclusion and free counselling.

💼 Money & Banking Safety

Bank gambling blocks — many UK banks (Monzo, Starling, Lloyds, etc.) let you block gambling transactions in-app.
No credit cards — don’t use credit to gamble; UK online gambling with credit cards is prohibited.
Separate budget — ring-fence a small entertainment amount; never dip into rent/bills/savings.
Spending tracker — use bank analytics or spreadsheets; review weekly.

📝 Build Your Personal Safety Plan

Write your monthly entertainment budget (max £X).
Set deposit/loss/time limits at every bookmaker before betting.
Enable a bank gambling block and install Gamban/BetBlocker.
Pick two trusted people to update weekly on your spend/time.
Schedule a weekly review (15 mins) — if over limits, take a 7-day time-out.
Save helplines: GamCare, BeGambleAware, TalkBanStop.

Reminder Our content is for entertainment and education. See our
Gamble Responsibly page anytime.

❓ Responsible Gambling FAQs

What is responsible gambling?

Betting as entertainment within strict limits, with tools and safeguards to prevent harm. If limits slip, stop and seek help.

How do I set effective betting limits?

Decide amounts when calm, set them in your betting accounts (deposit/loss/time), and use bank gambling blocks so they’re hard to change impulsively.

What are the signs of problem gambling?

Chasing losses, secrecy, using credit, missing commitments, and feeling unable to stop. If several apply, pause and contact GamCare or your local helpline.

What is self-exclusion and how do I do it?

It’s a formal block that prevents you from using gambling accounts. In the UK, register with GAMSTOP for online operators; use SENSE/MOSES for casinos/shops.

How can I block gambling sites and apps?

Install Gamban or BetBlocker; combine with bank gambling blocks and self-exclusion for layered protection.

What if I relapse?

Tell someone you trust, extend exclusion periods, re-enable blocks, and speak to a counsellor via GamCare. Relapse is common — support helps you get back on track.

Important: 18+ only. If betting is affecting your life, finances, or relationships, pause and get support right away via
GamCare or your local helpline.