Responsible gambling — recognise the signs, get help
Recognise the signs of gambling problems, find help, and use Stake's self-exclusion tools. Resources for every region.
If you're worried about your gambling
Gambling is designed to be entertaining, but for some people it stops being recreation and becomes a problem. The earlier you recognise it, the easier it is to address.
Common signs that gambling is becoming harmful:
- You think about gambling when you're not playing.
- You bet more than you intended, more often than you intended.
- You chase losses — placing bets to recover what you've lost.
- You hide gambling activity from family or friends.
- You borrow money to gamble.
- Gambling affects your work, sleep, relationships, or mood.
- You feel anxious, depressed, or angry when not gambling.
If three or more of these apply, you should pause and seek support. The list is not diagnostic, but it is a reliable warning.
What to do right now
- Stop playing today. Close the tab, log out, walk away from the device.
- Set a deposit limit or self-exclude on Stake.com. Both options are in your account settings under "Responsible Gambling".
- Reach out for support. The resources below are confidential, free, and run by trained professionals.
- Tell someone you trust. Isolation makes the problem worse. Talking to one person breaks the cycle.
Free, confidential support
| Region | Service | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| UK | National Gambling Helpline (GamCare) | 0808 8020 133 · gamcare.org.uk |
| UK / Worldwide | BeGambleAware | begambleaware.org |
| Worldwide | Gambling Therapy | gamblingtherapy.org |
| USA | National Council on Problem Gambling | 1-800-GAMBLER · ncpgambling.org |
| Canada | Responsible Gambling Council | responsiblegambling.org |
| Australia | Gambling Help Online | 1800 858 858 · gamblinghelponline.org.au |
Stake.com self-exclusion tools
On Stake.com, you can:
- Set deposit limits (daily / weekly / monthly).
- Set wager limits.
- Set session time limits.
- Self-exclude for a fixed period (24 hours, 7 days, 30 days, 6 months) or permanently.
Self-exclusion locks your account for the chosen duration. Permanent self-exclusion cannot be reversed. Use these tools without hesitation if you feel you need them.
Family & friends
If someone you care about has a gambling problem, the same resources help. GamCare, Gambling Therapy, and the NCPG all offer support specifically for affected family members. You don't have to handle it alone.