If gambling has stopped feeling like fun — if you are spending more than you can afford, hiding play from people you love, or feeling anxious between sessions — that is a signal worth listening to. Help is free, available now, and works.
Our commitment
Markix only features online casinos that hold an active licence from the UK Gambling Commission and are registered with GamStop. Every operator on our site is required by UK law to provide deposit limits, loss limits, time-outs and self-exclusion. Where we find an operator failing to make these tools easy to use, that lowers their score in our rankings.
We are an independent comparison site, not a substitute for professional support. The organisations listed below are.
Tips for keeping play safe
- Set a budget before you start — and treat it as the cost of an evening's entertainment, not an investment.
- Set a deposit limit on the operator's site. Make it lower than you think you need.
- Never chase losses. Losses are part of how casino games work; trying to win them back rarely ends well.
- Don't gamble to escape stress, low mood or boredom — these are the conditions in which problem play takes root.
- Take regular breaks. Most operators offer reality-check pop-ups at 30, 60 or 90-minute intervals — turn them on.
- Never gamble with money set aside for rent, bills, food or family.
- Don't gamble while drinking or in any state that impairs your judgement.
Warning signs
The earlier these are recognised, the easier they are to address. Any one of these may be a signal; several together is a clear one.
"You haven't done anything wrong by recognising you have a problem with gambling. The opposite — you've done the hardest part."
The tools UK casinos must offer
Under the UK Gambling Commission's Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice, every UKGC-licensed operator must make the following tools available to you, free, before you can place a stake:
- Deposit limitsDaily, weekly or monthly caps on how much you can pay in. You can lower a limit immediately; raising it has a 24-hour cooling-off period.
- Loss limitsA ceiling on net loss within a chosen period. Operators must offer this in addition to deposit limits.
- Session limitsA maximum length of a single play session, after which you are logged out.
- Reality checksOn-screen reminders at chosen intervals (30, 60 or 90 minutes) showing time elapsed and net win or loss.
- Time-outA cooling-off period of 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days or up to 6 weeks during which the operator must lock your account.
- Self-exclusionA binding block on your account for a minimum of 6 months. Cannot be reversed early.
- GamStopA single registration that blocks every UKGC-licensed online operator at once. See below.
GamStop — UK national self-exclusion
One registration. Every UK-licensed online operator. Blocked.
GamStop is the UK's national online self-exclusion scheme. A single sign-up at gamstop.co.uk blocks you from logging in to or registering at any UKGC-licensed online casino, sportsbook, bingo or lottery site for a duration you choose.
The block is automatic. It cannot be lifted before the period ends. There is no fee.
UK organisations that can help
All of the organisations below are based in the UK, free to contact, and treat every conversation in confidence.
BeGambleAware
The UK's leading independent charity working to keep people safe from gambling harms. Free advice, online chat, and signposting to treatment.
begambleaware.orgGamCare
Operates the National Gambling Helpline. Free, confidential support 24/7 by phone, live chat, WhatsApp and online forum.
📞 0808 8020 133 gamcare.org.ukGamStop
The national self-exclusion scheme. One registration blocks every UKGC-licensed online operator for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years.
gamstop.co.ukGamblers Anonymous UK
A fellowship of people who share their experience to help others recover. In-person meetings across the UK, plus online meetings.
gamblersanonymous.org.ukGamAnon
Support for partners, family and friends affected by someone else's gambling. Group meetings and one-to-one support.
gamanon.org.ukNHS National Problem Gambling Clinic
Specialist NHS service for people with severe gambling difficulties. Self-referral available; treatment is free at the point of use.
cnwl.nhs.ukBlocking software
If you want to remove temptation at the device level — beyond GamStop's account-level block — third-party blocking software can prevent gambling websites and apps from loading on your devices:
- Gamban — covers phones, tablets and computers. Free for UK residents through GamCare.
- BetBlocker — free, registered UK charity. Covers all major platforms.
Protecting young people
UK law prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from gambling on UKGC-licensed sites. If you are a parent or carer, the resources above include guidance on having conversations with young people about gambling — including the gambling-adjacent mechanics in some video games. The Action for Children parenting hub is a useful starting point.
If today is hard
If you are in immediate distress, the Samaritans are available free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, on 116 123, or by email at jo@samaritans.org. They will listen — they will not judge, and they will not tell you what to do.
For gambling-specific help right now, the National Gambling Helpline number is at the top of this page: 0808 8020 133.
Contact us
If you'd like to flag a concern about an operator we feature, share feedback on this guide, or suggest an organisation we should add — email info@markix.click. We read every message.