Responsible Gambling
Responsible gambling means keeping betting affordable, time-limited and in your control, and knowing which protections you have. That matters more when you look at sites outside the UK system. This page explains the tools that exist, how they work, and what changes when a bookmaker is not part of GAMSTOP. It is for adults aged 18 and over. Gambling is not a way to earn income or fix money problems.
Disclosure: Betting Not On Gamstop may earn commission if you join an operator through links elsewhere on the site. Commission does not decide rankings or what we say about risk. Information here was checked on 1 October 2026 and rules or operator terms can change, so confirm details with the regulator and the operator.
What GAMSTOP does, and what it does not
GAMSTOP is the free national self-exclusion service for online gambling in Great Britain. You register once and licensed online operators must block your access for the period you choose: six months, one year or five years. Exclusion cannot be shortened once it begins. It only covers operators licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), which regulates gambling in Great Britain (Northern Ireland has separate law).
A site "not on GAMSTOP" usually holds an overseas gambling licence instead. It may accept British customers, but accepting them is not the same as being authorised by the UKGC to serve them. If you registered with GAMSTOP because gambling was causing harm, using such a site undermines the protection you chose. We would encourage you not to.
Protections you may lose offshore
Overseas licences differ widely in how strictly they are enforced. Do not assume the following apply:
- GAMSTOP blocking and UKGC-style affordability checks
- Access to UK-approved dispute resolution schemes
- Mandatory deposit limit prompts and reality checks
- UK rules on bonus terms and advertising
Some operators offer their own limits and self-exclusion. Check these exist before depositing, and read how complaints are handled. A complaint to an offshore operator may have no independent route if it is rejected.
Set your limits before you deposit
- Decide a monthly amount from spare income, never rent, bills or borrowed money. For example, £40 a month is a fixed cost of entertainment, not a target to win back.
- Set a deposit limit in your account, daily, weekly or monthly, and check whether increases take effect immediately or after a delay.
- Set loss limits and session time reminders where offered.
- Do not chase losses. If you lose your budget, stop for the period.
- Keep a note of time and money spent. Many banks also let you block gambling transactions.
Bonuses and pressure to keep betting
Large headline offers can encourage bigger deposits than planned. The wagering requirement is the amount you must bet before bonus winnings can be withdrawn. A £100 bonus with 10x wagering means £1,000 of bets, and you may lose money doing it. Look also at minimum odds, expiry dates, maximum bonus bets, cashout caps and any payment methods excluded from the offer. Several offers on the ranked list are shown in euros or dollars, so your GBP deposit may incur currency conversion or card fees. Never deposit more to meet a bonus condition.
Operators you may see listed above include Tenobet, Trixino, Betninja, CoinPoker, smash, BetBluff, Emberbet, Rolletto, 7abet and Spartaza. We have not tested any of their safer gambling tools. Check each for deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion before you join. Our non GamStop casinos guide covers casino-specific terms, and our terms and conditions explain how this site works.
Warning signs
- Betting more than planned, or hiding it from others
- Chasing losses or betting to clear a bonus
- Borrowing, or using credit, to gamble
- Feeling irritable or anxious when not betting
- Betting late at night or during work, or neglecting commitments
Tools to use alongside any bookmaker
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| GAMSTOP | Blocks UKGC-licensed online gambling for 6 months, 1 or 5 years |
| Operator self-exclusion | Closes access with that one operator only |
| Deposit and loss limits | Caps what you can add or lose in a set period |
| Gambling blocking software | Blocks gambling sites and apps on your devices |
| Bank gambling blocks | Stops card payments to gambling merchants |
Blocking software and bank blocks work regardless of where an operator is licensed, so they are especially useful if you are tempted by offshore sites.
Where to get free, confidential help
GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, with live chat, and support is free. BeGambleAware provides information and signposting. If you are worried about someone else, these services also help family and friends. Speak to a free debt adviser if money is tight. If you feel in crisis, contact your GP or emergency services.
If you decide to bet anyway
Check that you are 18 or over, use a GBP account if possible, read withdrawal limits and verification rules, and expect identity and source-of-funds checks before cashing out. Withdrawals are never guaranteed, and no site is completely safe. Want to ask us something? Use the contact page, or read about us to see how we work.