Gamble Responsibly.
Play with Control.
Gambling should be entertaining โ never stressful, never harmful. This page contains everything you need to stay in control, spot warning signs early and access free help if you need it.
โ Free to use โ always
โ Confidential support
โ No judgement
โ Available 24/7
Take 2 Minutes
Is Your Gambling Under Control?
Answer honestly. This quiz is private โ nothing is sent or stored. Tick any statements that apply to you in the last 3 months.
Your score
0 / 10
Recognise the Signs
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling rarely announces itself. These are the most common early and late warning signs.
Chasing Losses
Returning to gamble after losing with the goal of winning the money back. This is one of the clearest early signs โ the belief that “one more session” will fix things.
Secrecy & Lying
Hiding gambling activity from family or friends, downplaying how much time or money you spend, or feeling the need to sneak gambling sessions.
Financial Stress
Gambling with bill money or savings, borrowing money to gamble, taking loans, selling possessions or asking family for financial help due to gambling losses.
Mood Changes
Feeling anxious, irritable or depressed when not gambling. Using gambling as a way to escape problems, stress, anxiety or difficult emotions rather than as entertainment.
Losing Track of Time
Gambling for much longer than intended. Missing meals, sleep or appointments because of gambling sessions. Thinking about gambling constantly during non-gambling time.
Unable to Stop
Trying to cut back or stop gambling and finding you can’t. Making promises to yourself or others that you don’t keep. Feeling that gambling controls you rather than the other way around.
Take Action Now
Self-Exclusion & Control Tools
These tools are free, immediate and put you back in control. You don’t need to be in crisis to use them.
GamStop โ UK Self-Exclusion
Register once with GamStop and you’ll be blocked from ALL UKGC-licensed online casinos simultaneously. Free, instant, and covers every licensed UK operator by law.
1
Visit gamstop.co.uk2
Register with your name, date of birth and email3
Choose 6 months, 1 year or 5 years4
All UKGC sites must block you within 24 hoursLUGAS โ German Self-Exclusion
The German national gambling exclusion system. One registration blocks you from all GGL-licensed online casinos and also enforces the โฌ1,000 monthly deposit limit.
1
Visit lugas-spielersperre.de2
Register with valid German ID3
All GGL operators must enforce immediatelyCasino Self-Exclusion (All Countries)
Every licensed casino has a self-exclusion option in your account settings. Go to Account โ Responsible Gambling โ Self-Exclusion. You can choose a cooling-off period or permanent closure.
1
Log into your casino account2
Go to Account Settings โ Responsible Gambling3
Choose Self-Exclusion or Account Closure4
Or contact live chat and request immediate closureBlocking Software
Install software that blocks gambling websites at the device or network level. Works on phone, tablet and computer. An effective layer of protection when self-exclusion alone isn’t enough.
1
Gamban โ blocks 40,000+ gambling sites globally (gamban.com)2
Betblocker โ completely free, no subscription required (betblocker.org)3
GamBlock โ iOS, Android, Windows & Mac (gamblock.com)Deposit & Loss Limits
Setting limits before you play is the most effective way to stay in control. All licensed casinos are required to offer these tools. Use them proactively โ not just when things go wrong.
1
Set a daily, weekly or monthly deposit limit2
Set a loss limit so you can’t lose more than your budget3
Set a session time limit with automatic logout4
Enable reality checks โ reminders every 30โ60 minutesTake a Break / Cool-Off
Not ready for full self-exclusion? A cool-off period temporarily suspends your account for 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days or longer. Your account and balance are safe โ you just can’t play.
1
Log into your casino account2
Go to Responsible Gambling settings3
Choose “Take a Break” or “Cool-Off Period”4
Select duration โ applies immediatelyFree 24/7 Support
Gambling Helplines by Country
All helplines listed are free, confidential and staffed by trained counsellors. You don’t have to be in crisis to call.
๐ฌ๐ง
United Kingdom
National Gambling Helpline ยท GamCare
Free, 24/7. Trained counsellors available by phone and live chat. GamCare also offers free online counselling and CBT therapy. Text support available on WhatsApp.
๐บ๐ธ
United States
National Problem Gambling Helpline ยท NCPG
Free, 24/7. Call or text. Connects you to local treatment options across all 50 states. Confidential โ no government reporting. Also available via live chat at ncpgambling.org.
๐ฆ๐บ
Australia
Gambling Help Online ยท National
Free, 24/7. Phone and online chat counselling. State-based services also available including Gambling Help in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. Financial counselling also available.
๐จ๐ฆ
Canada
ConnexOntario ยท Provincial Services
Ontario: ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600. BC: BCLC GameSense 1-888-795-6111. Alberta: Alberta Health Services 1-866-332-2322. Quebec: Gambling: Help and Referral 1-800-461-0140.
๐ฎ๐ณ
India
iCall ยท Vandrevala Foundation
Vandrevala Foundation: 1860-2662-345 (24/7). iCall by TISS: 9152987821. Gambling-specific services are limited in India โ general mental health helplines are the best option for gambling-related distress.
๐ฉ๐ช
Deutschland
BZgA ยท Bundeszentrale fรผr gesundheitliche Aufklรคrung
Kostenlos, 24/7. BZgA Sucht-Hotline fรผr Glรผcksspielprobleme. Anonyme Spieler Deutschland: anonyme-spieler.de. LUGAS-Selbstsperre: lugas-spielersperre.de.
๐ง๐ท
Brasil
CVV โ Centro de Valorizaรงรฃo da Vida
CVV: 188 (gratuito, 24h/7 dias). CAPS (Centro de Atenรงรฃo Psicossocial) โ atendimento presencial. Gambling Therapy: gamblingtherapy.org (em portuguรชs). Apoio confidencial sem julgamento.
๐
Worldwide
Gambling Therapy ยท Gordon Moody ยท GA International
gamblingtherapy.org
Gambling Therapy offers free online support in 15+ languages, available globally. Gordon Moody provides residential treatment in the UK. Gamblers Anonymous has chapters in 70+ countries.
Stay in Control
How to Set Limits
The most effective way to keep gambling fun is to set your limits before you play โ not after you’ve lost more than you planned. Every licensed casino is legally required to offer these tools.
Think of limits as a budget, just like you’d set for entertainment, dining out or any other leisure activity. Setting a monthly limit of what you can comfortably afford to lose takes less than 2 minutes and protects you automatically.
Important: limits that decrease take effect immediately. Limits that increase have a mandatory 24-hour waiting period at most licensed casinos โ this is a deliberate player protection measure.
๐ฐ Deposit Limit
Caps how much you can deposit in a day, week or month. The most common and effective limit โ if money can’t go in, it can’t be lost.
๐ Loss Limit
Stops play when your net losses reach a set amount. Allows wins but prevents losses exceeding your comfort level.
โฑ๏ธ Session Time Limit
Automatically logs you out after a set period. Prevents extended sessions that often lead to poor decisions.
๐ Reality Check
A pop-up reminder every 30โ60 minutes showing how long you’ve been playing and your net result. Keeps you grounded.
๐ก๏ธ Wager Limit
Limits the maximum bet per round. Especially useful for slots โ prevents one impulse bet wiping out your bankroll instantly.
โ๏ธ How to Set Limits at Any Casino
1
Log into your account
Go to the casino website or app and sign in.
2
Find Responsible Gambling settings
Usually under Account โ Settings โ Responsible Gambling or Player Protection.
3
Choose your limit type
Select Deposit Limit, Loss Limit, Session Limit or Reality Check.
4
Set your amount or time
Enter a realistic budget. Ask yourself: what can I comfortably afford to lose?
5
Confirm โ it applies immediately
Decreasing limits take effect instantly. Increases take 24 hours by law.
6
Can’t find the option?
Contact live chat and ask them to set a limit on your account โ they are legally required to help.
๐ก The Golden Rule
Only gamble with money you can afford to lose entirely. Gambling is entertainment โ not a way to make money. If you find yourself gambling to pay bills or win back losses, stop and seek support.
๐ Quick Budget Calculator
Your monthly gambling budget should never exceed:
Monthly income after billsYour starting point
Minus food & essentialsSubtract
Minus savings goalSubtract
= Max gambling budgetSet this as your limit
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Self-exclusion options vary by country. In the UK, register with GamStop (gamstop.co.uk) to be blocked from all UKGC-licensed casinos simultaneously. In Germany, use LUGAS (lugas-spielersperre.de). In most other countries, self-exclude at each casino individually via Account โ Responsible Gambling settings, or contact their live chat. Blocking software like Gamban or BetBlocker works across all devices globally.
Your balance is protected. Licensed casinos are required to hold your remaining funds and return them to you upon request, even after self-exclusion. Contact the casino’s support team to arrange a withdrawal of any remaining balance. This may take a few days to process but the funds are yours and cannot be forfeited.
Self-exclusion schemes like GamStop only cover licensed operators in that jurisdiction. An unlicensed or offshore casino won’t be bound by GamStop. We strongly advise against using unlicensed casinos even if you are self-excluded โ instead, pair your exclusion with blocking software (Gamban, BetBlocker) which operates at the device level and blocks all gambling sites regardless of licence status.
Calling a helpline is the fastest way to speak to a trained counsellor. In the UK call GamCare on 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7). In the US call 1-800-522-4700. If you prefer text or chat, most helplines offer online chat โ visit gamblingtherapy.org for international online support. You don’t need to be in crisis โ early conversations are the most helpful.
It depends on the scheme. GamStop (UK) offers 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. LUGAS (Germany) is indefinite until you apply to have it removed. Casino-level self-exclusion typically offers 6 months to permanent closure. We recommend choosing the longest option you’re comfortable with โ most people who return too soon after a short exclusion regret it.
Licensed casinos are legally required to offer you self-exclusion and responsible gambling tools without penalising you. They cannot refuse your request for self-exclusion, refuse to return your balance, or contact you with promotional material once you’ve self-excluded. If a casino treats you poorly after requesting help, report them to the relevant regulator (UKGC, GGL, MGA etc.).
Yes. In the UK, NHS treatment is available through the National Problem Gambling Clinic (London) and GamCare referrals. Gordon Moody offers free residential treatment. In the US, state-funded treatment varies โ call 1-800-522-4700 to find local options. Gamblers Anonymous (free peer support) operates in 70+ countries globally. Online CBT therapy is available free through GamCare for UK residents.
It’s difficult to help someone who isn’t ready to acknowledge the problem. Start by educating yourself โ GamCare, GamblingTherapy and Gam-Anon offer resources specifically for families. Avoid covering their debts or giving them money. Encourage them to call a helpline (you can even sit with them while they do). Gam-Anon groups provide peer support for families and friends of problem gamblers.
CasinoCaves Commitment
Our Responsible Gambling Pledge
We believe player safety is more important than any commercial relationship. These are our firm commitments to every visitor on this site.
We never recommend unlicensed casinos that lack player protection tools
Responsible gambling links appear on every single page of this site
We refuse to work with operators who target vulnerable players
We display crisis helplines prominently โ especially on this page
We will not promote a casino that has unfair self-exclusion policies
Our review scores include responsible gambling tools as a weighted factor
We investigate and act on player complaints involving withheld winnings
No advertising or bonus promotion is more important than your safety