Responsible Gambling
Bonus Boss writes about casino bonuses, but no bonus is worth harm to your health or finances. This page explains how to keep gambling under control and where to get free, confidential help in the UK.
Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over
You must be at least 18 to gamble with a UK-licensed casino. Licensed operators carry out age and identity checks, and they are required to do so. Never let anyone under 18 use your account.
Treat bonuses as entertainment, not income
Casino bonuses almost always carry wagering requirements, which means the bonus funds must be staked a set number of times before any winnings can be withdrawn. Many bonuses also have time limits, maximum bet rules, and caps on what you can win.
Because of these conditions, a bonus is not free money and is not a reliable way to make a profit. Treat gambling as a form of entertainment that costs money, and only ever stake what you can afford to lose.
Set limits before you play
UK-licensed casinos offer tools to help you stay in control. Setting these before you start playing is one of the simplest ways to keep gambling at a level you are comfortable with.
- Deposit limits: cap how much you can pay in each day, week, or month.
- Time limits and reminders: limit how long a session lasts, or get an alert after a set period.
- Loss and wager limits: cap how much you can lose or stake over a period.
- Time out: lock yourself out for a short break, from a day up to several weeks.
- Reality checks: pop-up reminders showing how long you have been playing.
Self-exclusion with GAMSTOP
If you want to stop gambling, GAMSTOP lets you block yourself from all online gambling sites licensed in Great Britain with a single free registration. You can choose a self-exclusion period of six months, one year, or five years.
Every UKGC-licensed online operator is required to take part in GAMSTOP. You can register at gamstop.co.uk.
Signs that gambling may be a problem
Gambling has become a problem when it stops being entertainment and starts to affect the rest of your life. Warning signs include:
- Spending more money or time gambling than you intended.
- Chasing losses by betting more to try to win back what you have lost.
- Gambling with money meant for bills, rent, or essentials.
- Borrowing money or selling things to fund gambling.
- Feeling anxious, irritable, or low when you are not gambling.
- Hiding how much you gamble from family or friends.
- Neglecting work, study, or relationships because of gambling.
If any of these sound familiar, it may help to talk to one of the free services below.
Where to get help
These organisations offer free, confidential support across the UK. You do not need to be in crisis to contact them.
- National Gambling Helpline (GamCare): free, confidential support 24 hours a day on 0808 8020 133, with live chat at gamcare.org.uk.
- GAMSTOP: free self-exclusion from UK-licensed online gambling at gamstop.co.uk.
- BeGambleAware: information, advice, and a self-assessment tool at begambleaware.org.
- GambleAware: funds treatment and support and signposts services across the UK at gambleaware.org.
If you are in immediate distress or crisis, contact the Samaritans free on 116 123, or call 999 in an emergency.
Protecting others
If you are worried about someone else’s gambling, the National Gambling Helpline can also support friends and family. Blocking software such as Gamban can help keep gambling sites off your devices, and your bank may let you block gambling transactions on your card.
Please gamble responsibly. 18+. Remember that bonuses carry wagering requirements and that gambling should stay a form of entertainment, never a way to make money.