Responsible Gambling
Gambling should be entertaining. If betting is causing you harm or affecting your finances, relationships, or mental health, help is available. All resources listed below are free and independent.
Self-Exclusion Schemes
| Country | Scheme | Website |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | GAMSTOP — national online self-exclusion register | gamstop.co.uk |
| Canada (Ontario) | BetGuard — Ontario centralised iGaming self-exclusion (launched 2026) | betguard.ca |
| Australia | BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register | betstop.gov.au |
| Ireland | Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) — self-exclusion register | grai.ie |
| New Zealand | New Zealand has no single national online self-exclusion register equivalent to GAMSTOP or BetStop. Contact individual operators directly or the Gambling Helpline for referral support. | gamblinghelpline.co.nz |
Support Organisations
| Organisation | Country | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| GamCare | United Kingdom | 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7) |
| Gambling Therapy | International | Free online support in 250+ languages |
| Responsible Gambling Council | Canada | 1-866-531-2600 |
| Gambling Help Online | Australia | 1800 858 858 |
| Gambling Helpline NZ | New Zealand | 0800 654 655 |
Setting Limits
All licensed sportsbooks are required to offer tools to help you manage your gambling. These typically include deposit limits, loss limits, session time limits, and cooling-off periods. These tools can usually be found in your account settings or by contacting customer support.
Recognising Problem Gambling
Problem gambling does not require daily betting or large losses to be a serious concern. Common warning signs include: betting with money intended for bills or essentials; chasing losses by increasing stakes; feeling irritable or anxious when not betting; concealing betting activity from family or partners; and experiencing difficulty stopping or reducing gambling despite wanting to.
If any of these apply, self-exclusion tools and free confidential helplines are available in all five markets covered on this site. GAMSTOP (UK), BetStop (Australia), BetGuard (Ontario), and the GRAI self-exclusion scheme (Ireland) are nationally recognised programmes administered independently of sportsbook operators. Registering for self-exclusion through one of these schemes removes access to all participating operators simultaneously.
Voluntary deposit limits — setting a maximum daily, weekly, or monthly deposit in your account settings — are the simplest preventive tool for users who are not yet at a problem gambling stage but want to stay within a set budget. Cooling-off periods and temporary self-exclusions are available at most licensed operators for users who want a break without committing to a full exclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GAMSTOP and how does it work?
GAMSTOP is the UK's national online self-exclusion register, operated independently of any sportsbook. Registering at gamstop.co.uk excludes you from all UKGC-licensed online gambling sites simultaneously for a minimum of 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. You choose the duration at registration — it cannot be shortened once set. UKGC-licensed operators are required to participate; offshore operators not holding a UKGC licence may not be covered.
Does BetStop work the same way as GAMSTOP?
BetStop is Australia's National Self-Exclusion Register, operated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. All NTRC-licensed interactive wagering services are required to participate. Registering at betstop.gov.au excludes you from all participating operators simultaneously. The minimum exclusion period is 3 months. Offshore operators not licensed by Australian authorities may not be connected to BetStop.
What if I want to self-exclude in New Zealand?
New Zealand does not have a single national online self-exclusion register equivalent to GAMSTOP or BetStop. Each operator must be contacted individually to request account closure or self-exclusion. The Gambling Helpline (0800 654 655, gamblinghelpline.co.nz) can provide referral support and guidance on contacting individual operators. This is a known gap in New Zealand's responsible gambling framework.
Can I set deposit limits without fully self-excluding?
Yes. All UKGC-licensed operators are required to allow customers to set daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits. Once set, a deposit limit can be reduced immediately but can only be increased after a cooling-off period (typically 24 hours to 7 days, depending on the operator). This cooling-off design prevents impulsive limit increases when a user is in a gambling episode. Deposit limits are available independently of self-exclusion.
What if I think a sportsbook is ignoring my self-exclusion?
In the UK, contact the UKGC directly via gambleaware.org or the UKGC complaints process. UKGC-licensed operators face regulatory consequences for failing to honour self-exclusion. For Australian operators, the NTRC handles complaints related to BetStop non-compliance. In Ireland, the GRAI is the relevant authority. Always document the breach with screenshots and correspondence before submitting a formal complaint.
How does this site handle responsible gambling?
Our responsible gambling component contributes 10% of the Trust Score for each operator we review. We assess whether operators offer self-exclusion tools, deposit and loss limits, and session time controls, and whether they link prominently to national self-exclusion schemes such as GAMSTOP, BetStop, and BetGuard. Operators with stronger responsible gambling provision score higher on this component — it is a factor in every overall rating on this site.
18+ only. Gambling involves risk. Never bet more than you can afford to lose.