The essentials
- Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
- Set a budget and a time limit in advance, and stop when you reach them.
- Never try to “chase your losses”.
- Do not gamble to escape stress, boredom or a problem.
- Bonuses do not change the casino’s edge: they come with wagering requirements.
Warning signs
Talk to someone or contact a helpline if you:
- gamble for longer or with more money than you planned;
- borrow money or sell belongings in order to gamble;
- hide your gambling from the people close to you;
- find that gambling takes over your thoughts;
- feel irritable when you try to stop.
Control tools
Most casinos let you set deposit, loss and session-length limits, as well as take a break or self-exclude. Software can also block access to gambling sites on all your devices. In some countries, a national self-exclusion register applies to licensed operators.
Helplines
United Kingdom
National Gambling Helpline (GamCare)
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Italy
Telefono Verde Nazionale per le problematiche legate al gioco d’azzardo (ISS)
Weekdays, from 10:00 to 16:00
Contact details checked on the official websites on 16 Oct 2026.
Minors
Gambling is prohibited for anyone under 18. If a minor uses your computer or phone, turn on parental controls and never leave a gambling account logged in.
For friends and family
The helplines above also support the people around gamblers. You do not need the consent of the person concerned to ask for advice.