Responsible Gaming: Help, Limits and Self-Exclusion

Responsible gaming starts with one idea: gambling is entertainment you pay for. The house edge means that over time the casino wins, and no bonus, system or “hot” slot changes that. If you are betting money you need, chasing losses or hiding how much you play, stop and talk to someone. The services below are free and confidential.

Free helplines by country

Gamblers Anonymous runs free peer-support meetings in many countries, in person and online.

Self-exclusion: what it covers and what it does not

• UK: GAMSTOP blocks you from online gambling with operators licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years.
• Australia: BetStop is the national register for licensed online and phone wagering. It does not reach offshore casino sites, which are not allowed to offer their games to Australians in the first place.
• Czech Republic: the Ministry of Finance keeps the register of excluded persons (Rejstřík vyloučených osob, RVO). You can ask to be added through a licensed operator or directly with the Ministry; a voluntary exclusion runs for at least one year.
• US: self-exclusion lists are run state by state and apply to state-licensed operators.

The catch: many casinos reviewed on international affiliate sites, including ours, are licensed offshore, for example in Curaçao or Anjouan. They are not connected to GAMSTOP, BetStop, the Czech RVO or US state lists. If you have excluded yourself at home, an offshore casino will not stop you, so use the blocking tools below as well.

Signs it is time to take a break

• You spend more than you planned, or borrow to play.
• You chase losses with bigger bets.
• You feel restless or irritable when you cannot play.
• You hide your gambling from people close to you.
• Gambling pushes out work, sleep, family or friends.

Tools that work

1. Deposit limits. Set them in your casino account before you play, not after a bad session. Our scorecard marks casinos down when these tools are missing.
2. Time-outs and self-exclusion inside the casino account, for a day, a week or longer.
3. Blocking software. Gamban (paid) and BetBlocker (free) block gambling sites across your devices, including offshore ones.
4. Bank blocks. Many banks let you block gambling transactions on your card from the app.
5. A budget written down. Decide the amount and the end time before you start, and treat the money as spent.

If someone you know is struggling

The helplines above also support family members and friends. Talk when things are calm, avoid lending money to cover gambling debts, and look after your own finances first.

Age limits

You must be 18 or older to gamble online, and older where local law says so (21 in several US states). Casinos ask for ID before the first withdrawal; do not try to get around it.

More about how we handle these topics: editorial policy and about Casino Bros.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I get free help with gambling in the UK?

Call the National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare, on 0808 8020 133. It is free and open 24/7, and there is a live chat at gamcare.org.uk.

Does GAMSTOP block offshore casinos?

No. GAMSTOP covers operators licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Offshore casinos are not part of it, so add blocking software such as Gamban or BetBlocker if you want them blocked too.

Is there a gambling helpline in the Czech Republic?

Yes. Národní linka pro odvykání on 800 350 000 is free and offers counselling for gambling as well as tobacco, alcohol and drugs.

What is the US problem gambling helpline?

Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), the National Problem Gambling Helpline, operated by the National Council on Problem Gambling.