Responsible Gambling Resources & Support

Our Commitment to Responsible Gambling

BounceRadio.net is committed to promoting responsible gambling. While our primary content focuses on reviewing non-GamStop casinos, we recognise the significant responsibility that comes with publishing gambling-related content. We will never promote gambling as a way to make money, and we will always provide prominent links to support organisations alongside our casino recommendations.

Every page on our site includes a responsible gambling banner with helpline numbers and links to support organisations. We believe that informed players are safer players, and providing comprehensive responsible gambling resources is a core part of our mission.

What Is GamStop?

GamStop is the UK's free national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling. When you register with GamStop, you are blocked from all UK-licensed gambling websites for your chosen period:

• 6 months — minimum exclusion period
• 1 year — medium-term exclusion
• 5 years — long-term exclusion

Once registered, you cannot reverse your decision during the chosen period. After your exclusion expires, you must actively contact GamStop to request removal, which includes a 24-hour cooling-off period.

How to register: Visit gamstop.co.uk and provide your name, date of birth, email address, and postcode. Registration takes approximately five minutes and takes effect within 24 hours.

Contact GamStop: Freephone 0800 138 6518 or email [email protected]

Support Organisations

BeGambleAware

BeGambleAware.org is the UK's leading provider of information and support for anyone affected by gambling. They fund treatment, prevention, and research services and offer free, confidential support through multiple channels:

• Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (24/7, free, confidential)
• Live chat: Available on their website
• Treatment finder: Online tool to find local treatment services
• Self-assessment tool: Confidential questionnaire to evaluate your gambling behaviour

GamCare

GamCare provides information, advice, and support for anyone affected by gambling. They operate the National Gambling Helpline and provide face-to-face and online counselling through a network of partner organisations across the UK.

• Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (24/7)
• Live chat: Available daily from 8am to midnight
• Forum: Peer support forum for people affected by gambling
• Counselling: Free counselling services available across the UK
• BigDeal: Dedicated support for young people affected by gambling

NHS Gambling Clinics

The NHS operates the National Gambling Treatment Service, which provides free, specialist treatment for people with gambling problems. The service includes:

• National Problem Gambling Clinic (London): The UK's first NHS gambling clinic, offering outpatient treatment including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), group therapy, and psychiatric assessment
• Northern Gambling Service (Leeds and Manchester): Providing the same specialist treatment for patients in the north of England
• Referral: You can be referred by your GP or self-refer directly by contacting the clinics

NHS gambling treatment is completely free at the point of use and confidential.

Gambling Therapy

Gambling Therapy is a global service offering free practical advice and emotional support to anyone affected by gambling. They provide:

• Online support groups: Scheduled group sessions with trained facilitators
• One-to-one support: Live chat with advisors
• Self-help resources: Guided programmes you can work through at your own pace
• Multilingual support: Available in multiple languages

Gamblers Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous (GA) runs a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to recover from gambling addiction. Meetings are free, anonymous, and held in locations across the UK as well as online.

• Helpline: 0330 094 0322
• Meetings: Find your nearest meeting at gamblersanonymous.org.uk
• GamAnon: Support for family and friends of problem gamblers

Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can develop gradually and may not be immediately obvious. Be honest with yourself about whether any of the following apply to your gambling behaviour:

• Spending more time or money on gambling than you intended
• Chasing losses by continuing to gamble to recover money you have lost
• Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
• Neglecting work, relationships, or personal responsibilities due to gambling
• Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when trying to cut down or stop
• Lying to family, friends, or others about the extent of your gambling
• Using gambling as a way to escape problems or cope with negative emotions
• Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the same excitement
• Repeated unsuccessful attempts to control, cut back, or stop gambling
• Risking or losing significant relationships, employment, or educational opportunities because of gambling

If three or more of these statements apply to you, we encourage you to contact one of the support organisations listed above. Recognising the problem is the most important first step towards recovery.

Self-Assessment Questions

Answer the following questions honestly. They are based on the diagnostic criteria used by healthcare professionals to identify gambling disorders:

1. Do you need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired level of excitement?
2. Are you restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling?
3. Have you made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling?
4. Are you often preoccupied with gambling (e.g., reliving past experiences, planning the next session, thinking about ways to get money to gamble)?
5. Do you often gamble when feeling distressed (e.g., anxious, depressed, guilty, helpless)?
6. After losing money gambling, do you often return another day to try to win it back?
7. Do you lie to conceal the extent of your involvement with gambling?
8. Have you jeopardised or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational/career opportunity because of gambling?
9. Do you rely on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling?

If you answered "yes" to four or more of these questions, this may indicate a gambling disorder. Please contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 for a confidential assessment and support.

Setting Limits and Staying in Control

Even if you do not have a gambling problem, practising responsible gambling habits will help keep it that way. Here are our recommendations:

Set a Budget

Before every gambling session, decide how much you are willing to lose. This is your entertainment budget, just as you would set a budget for a night out or a hobby. Never exceed this amount, regardless of how the session is going.

Set Time Limits

Set a timer on your phone for your gambling session. When it goes off, stop playing and assess your position. Extended sessions lead to fatigue-based decisions and increased losses.

Never Chase Losses

The urge to win back lost money is one of the most dangerous patterns in gambling. If you have reached your budget limit, stop. The odds do not change based on your previous results, and chasing losses almost always results in larger losses.

Use Separate Accounts

Keep your gambling funds in a separate bank account or e-wallet from your everyday finances. This creates a clear boundary and makes it easier to track how much you are spending.

Take Regular Breaks

Step away from gambling regularly. If you find yourself gambling every day, this may be a sign that it is becoming problematic. Aim for at least two to three gambling-free days per week.

Never Gamble When Impaired

Do not gamble under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or when you are feeling emotionally distressed. Impaired judgement leads to poor decisions and larger losses.

Tools for Self-Exclusion at Non-GamStop Casinos

While non-GamStop casinos are not part of the UK's GamStop scheme, many reputable offshore operators offer their own responsible gambling tools:

• Deposit limits: Set daily, weekly, or monthly limits on how much you can deposit
• Loss limits: Cap the amount you can lose within a given period
• Session time limits: Set maximum session durations after which you are automatically logged out
• Reality checks: Pop-up notifications showing your session duration and net position
• Self-exclusion: Request the casino to close your account and block access for a chosen period
• Cooling-off periods: Temporary account suspension (typically 24 hours to 30 days)

We encourage all players to activate deposit limits and reality checks at every casino they join, regardless of whether they consider themselves at risk.

Blocking Software

If you want to block access to gambling websites on your devices, the following tools can help:

• Gamban: Blocks access to thousands of gambling websites and apps across all your devices. Available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. gamban.com
• BetBlocker: Free, charity-run blocking software that restricts access to gambling sites. betblocker.org
• Net Nanny / Qustodio: Parental control software that can be configured to block gambling content

Helping Someone Else

If you are concerned about someone else's gambling, the following resources provide support for family members, friends, and loved ones:

• GamAnon: Support groups for anyone affected by another person's gambling. gamanon.org.uk
• GamCare: Their helpline and counselling services are also available for affected others. Call 0808 8020 133.
• Citizens Advice: Can help with the financial consequences of problem gambling, including debt management and legal advice.