Keep it a day at the races, not a habit
The Grand National, Cheltenham Festival, and Royal Ascot are cultural events as much as betting occasions — for most people, a few well-considered each-way bets are part of enjoying the spectacle. The UKGC's own research consistently shows that the majority of UK punters bet within their means and within their enjoyment threshold. This page is for the minority for whom that balance has shifted, or for those who want to set firm limits before it does.
GamStop — single registration, every UKGC operator
GamStop is the national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling in Great Britain. Registering once excludes you from every UKGC-licensed operator simultaneously — all five operators reviewed on GloucesterWin, and hundreds of others, are covered. You choose a minimum exclusion period of 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. During that period you cannot open an account or log in to an existing account at any participating operator.
GamStop is free to use. Registration takes about five minutes. The exclusion is enforced by operators under their UKGC licence conditions.
GamCare — the National Gambling Helpline
GamCare operates the National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133. The line is free, confidential, and staffed 24 hours a day by advisers trained in gambling-specific support. You do not need to be in crisis to call — many callers use the line to talk through a concern before it becomes acute. GamCare also provides an online chat service and a structured support programme called GameChange.
BeGambleAware — information, tools, and referrals
BeGambleAware is a charity funded by the gambling industry to provide independent information about problem gambling. Its website has diagnostic tools to help you assess your own gambling, a directory of treatment providers, and referral pathways to the NHS gambling clinic network. It is a good first stop if you are uncertain whether your gambling is becoming a problem.
Deposit limits, time limits, and reality checks
Every UKGC-licensed operator is required by the Gambling Commission to offer spend-management tools — you do not need to be struggling to use them. The tools available vary slightly between operators but typically include:
- Deposit limits — a daily, weekly, or monthly cap on how much you can deposit. Once set, reductions take effect immediately; increases require a 24-hour cooling-off period.
- Loss limits — a cap on net losses over a defined period.
- Time limits — a maximum session length, after which you are automatically logged out.
- Reality checks — a periodic reminder of how long you have been logged in and how much you have spent or won in that session.
- Self-exclusion — operator-level exclusion for a fixed period. This covers only that one operator; for multi-operator exclusion, use GamStop.
- Take a break — a short cooling-off period (24 hours to 6 weeks) without full self-exclusion.
To access these tools, log in to your account and navigate to the responsible gambling or safer betting section, or contact the operator's customer support team directly.
NHS gambling clinics
The NHS operates gambling-specific clinics across England. Referrals are available through your GP or through the National Problem Gambling Clinic in London (part of the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust). Treatment is free and confidential. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have equivalent services through their respective health services.
Gordon Moody — residential support
Gordon Moody Association provides specialist residential treatment for severe gambling addiction — programme lengths of up to 14 weeks. Referrals can be self-directed or made through GamCare. The charity operates in England and has a women-specific residential programme.
Signs to watch for in your betting
The following patterns are associated with gambling harm. They do not mean you have a problem — but if several apply, a conversation with GamCare is worth having:
- Chasing losses — placing additional bets to try to recover what you have lost in the same session
- Betting with money you cannot afford to lose — bills, rent, food, savings
- Hiding your betting from family or friends
- Thinking about gambling frequently when not betting
- Feeling irritable or anxious when you cannot bet
- Increasing your stakes to maintain the same level of excitement
- Failed attempts to cut down or stop
Free helpline: 0808 8020 133 — GamCare, free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Last revised: 20 May 2026.