Responsible gambling
Setting gambling limits
Limits work best when they are set before gambling starts, are affordable to lose, and are backed up by practical controls rather than willpower alone.
Set a money limit first
Only use money that is genuinely available after essential costs such as housing, food, bills, transport and debt repayments. Do not treat gambling as a way to solve money problems. A spending limit is not a target; stopping below it is also a success.
Set a time limit
Decide in advance when the activity will end and use an alarm. Avoid gambling when tired, upset, intoxicated, isolated or under financial pressure—these conditions can make decisions harder.
Build in friction
- Do not save payment details on devices.
- Use account limits where they are available.
- Turn off gambling marketing communications.
- Talk to a bank about transaction controls.
- Ask a trusted person to help with a budget.
When limits are not enough
If you repeatedly exceed a limit, chase losses or feel unable to stop, consider self-exclusion and confidential support. These are protective tools, not a failure.