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Support without judgement

Keep gambling in perspective

Gambling should never be treated as a way to make money. If it is affecting your finances, time, relationships or wellbeing, stop and speak to a specialist service.

Before entering a casino

  • Choose a fixed entertainment budget you can comfortably lose.
  • Set a leaving time and arrange your journey home.
  • Do not borrow money or use essential household funds.
  • Avoid gambling when upset, under pressure or impaired.
  • Never chase losses; another bet does not recover the last one.

Warning signs

Pause if you are hiding gambling, spending longer or more than planned, chasing losses, borrowing, missing responsibilities, or feeling anxious when you cannot gamble. Harm can begin before a crisis.

Take a break

Leave the venue, contact someone you trust, block access to money where appropriate and seek confidential support.

Land-based self-exclusion

SENSE is the relevant national scheme for participating land-based casinos. GAMSTOP concerns online gambling and is not a replacement for venue self-exclusion.

A simple safer-stay plan

  • Write down the maximum spend.
  • Carry only the payment method needed.
  • Schedule non-gambling parts of the trip.
  • Check in with a travel companion.
  • Leave when the planned time or spend is reached.

For family and friends

You do not need to manage someone else’s gambling alone. Keep your own finances safe, avoid lending money to cover gambling losses, record concerns, and contact GamCare for guidance about supporting another person.