If you need to speak to someone right now: In the UK, call the National Gambling Helpline free on 0808 8020 133 (24/7). In the US, call the NCPG helpline on 1-800-522-4700. Both are free and confidential.

Responsible Gambling Tools at Licensed Casinos

Every casino licensed by a major regulator (such as the MGA or UKGC) must offer responsible gambling tools. These tools are free to use and take effect immediately when you set them. Here is what each one does. Every casino in our litecoin casino rankings holds a valid gambling licence with confirmed RG tools.

  • Deposit Limit
    Caps how much you can deposit over a set period - daily, weekly, or monthly. Once set, the casino cannot accept deposits above this amount. Lowering the limit takes effect immediately. Raising it requires a waiting period (usually 24-72 hours) to prevent impulsive changes.
  • Session Time Limit
    Sets a maximum duration for a single gambling session. When the time is up, you are logged out automatically. Some casinos also show a running clock during gameplay so you can track your session in real time.
  • Loss Limit
    Stops you from losing more than a set amount in a given period. If your net losses hit the limit, you cannot play further until the period resets. This is different from a deposit limit - it tracks actual losses rather than deposits.
  • Take a Break
    A short-term voluntary break from the casino - typically 24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days. During this time you cannot log in or deposit. It is designed for when you feel your gambling is getting stressful, not just when you want to stop for good.
  • Self-Exclusion
    A longer-term exclusion - usually minimum 6 months, up to 5 years or permanently. Once applied, the casino is required to close your account and prevent re-registration. Some jurisdictions run national self-exclusion registers that cover all licensed operators at once (e.g. GAMSTOP in the UK, GamStop covers all UKGC licensees simultaneously).
  • Reality Check
    A pop-up at regular intervals (every 30 or 60 minutes) that shows how long you have been playing and how much you have wagered or won/lost in the session. It interrupts autopilot play and forces a moment of awareness.
  • Wagering Limit
    Caps the total amount you can bet per day, week, or month - regardless of whether you win or lose. Less common than deposit or loss limits, but offered by some casinos for more granular control.

Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling does not always look obvious. These are some signs that gambling may be causing harm - to you or someone you know.

  • Gambling more than you planned - and struggling to stop when you said you would
  • Spending time thinking about gambling when you are not doing it
  • Hiding gambling activity from friends or family
  • Gambling to win back money you have lost (chasing losses)
  • Borrowing money, selling items, or missing bills to fund gambling
  • Feeling anxious, irritable, or low when you are not gambling
  • Neglecting work, relationships, or hobbies because of gambling
One or more of these signs does not mean you have a problem. But they are worth paying attention to. The organisations below all offer free, confidential assessments - you do not have to have a crisis to reach out.

Free Support Organisations

All organisations listed here are non-profit or government-funded. They offer free help with no obligation to engage in any treatment programme.

BeGambleAware
Free information, advice, and referral to treatment. UK-based but accessible globally. Runs the National Gambling Helpline.
begambleaware.org →
GamCare
UK-based helpline, live chat, and counselling. Operates the National Gambling Helpline with BeGambleAware. Also offers a forum for peer support.
gamcare.org.uk →
Gambling Therapy
Online support in 13 languages. Operated by Gordon Moody. Offers forums, one-to-one therapy, and a self-help toolkit. Available worldwide.
gamblingtherapy.org →
NCPG (US)
National Council on Problem Gambling. US national helpline (1-800-522-4700), state resources, and treatment finder. Available 24/7.
ncpgambling.org →
Gamblers Anonymous
Peer-support meetings based on the 12-step model. Groups available worldwide, both in-person and online. Free to attend.
gamblersanonymous.org →
Gamban
Software that blocks access to gambling sites across all your devices. Covers 50,000+ sites. Works alongside self-exclusion schemes as an extra layer.
gamban.com →

How to Use Self-Exclusion Effectively

Self-exclusion works best when used as part of a plan - not just in a moment of panic. Here is how to make it as effective as possible.

First, use the casino's built-in self-exclusion if available. Then register with any national scheme covering your country (GAMSTOP in the UK, ROFUS in Denmark, SPEL på KOL in Sweden). Then install Gamban on all your devices to block access even to sites not covered by the national scheme.

Tell someone you trust. Having another person who knows about the exclusion adds an important layer of accountability. It also means you have support if you experience urges to circumvent it.