Responsible gambling
Gambling is entertainment, not a way to earn money. It is for adults aged 18 and over (21 in some US states). If it stops being fun, take a break and get free help. This page lists the tools and helplines we know are real.
Last reviewed . Phone numbers and links were checked against each service’s own site.
Warning signs
Problems build slowly. These are the signs we see most often:
- Gambling for longer or with more money than you planned.
- Chasing losses, or betting bigger to win back what you lost.
- Borrowing money, or using money meant for rent and bills.
- Hiding how much you play, or lying about it.
- Feeling restless, irritable or low when you try to cut down.
- Gambling to escape stress, or thinking about it most of the day.
One or two of these is a reason to pause. If several apply, speak to someone today.
Tools that help
Every licensed casino has to offer these. Look for them under account settings or responsible gambling, and set them up before your first deposit.
- Deposit limits
- Cap what you can pay in per day, week or month. Set it before you play and treat it as a ceiling.
- Loss limits
- Stop play once you have lost a set amount in a period.
- Time limits and reality checks
- A reminder every 30 or 60 minutes shows how long you have actually been playing.
- Cool-off break
- Lock your account for a short period, usually 24 hours to 6 weeks, with no way to reverse it early.
- Self-exclusion
- Close access for months or years. At a casino it covers that operator only. A national scheme covers every licensed operator in that market.
Casino tools versus national schemes
Casino-level tools only work on that casino. If you open an account somewhere else, you start again. National self-exclusion schemes (GAMSTOP, OASIS, CRUKS, BetStop) block you at all licensed operators in the market in one step. Neither reaches unlicensed sites, which is one more reason to stick to licensed casinos.
Get free, confidential help
Helplines by country. Self-exclusion schemes are listed where a national one exists. Where we show “None verified”, ask the helpline or the casino about options.
In an emergency call your local emergency number. In the US, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Canada has provincial services as well as ConnexOntario, so check your province’s own gambling helpline. In the US, many states run their own helpline and self-exclusion programs.
Blocking software
Blocking apps stop gambling sites and apps from loading on your devices, including unlicensed ones that national schemes cannot reach.
- Gamban. Paid blocking software for phones, tablets and computers, with a 7-day free trial.
- BetBlocker. Free, run by a Scottish charity. Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS.
How we approach this on BrilliantCasinos
- This site is for people aged 18 and over only.
- We put a responsible gambling line under every casino link.
- We flag bad terms, slow withdrawals and weak licences, and we list bad casinos honestly.
- We earn a commission from some links. It never affects a TrustScore.
Read how we score casinos on How we rate and how we work in our editorial guidelines. BrilliantCasinos.com publishes information, not gambling advice. Check that online gambling is legal where you live before you play.
Responsible gambling questions
Short answers. The helpline table above has the detail.
Is gambling a way to make money?
No. Casino games are built so the house wins over time. Treat what you spend as the price of entertainment, like a cinema ticket, and only play with money you can afford to lose.
How do I know if I have a gambling problem?
Common signs are chasing losses, gambling with money meant for bills, hiding it from people close to you, and feeling restless or irritable when you try to stop. If any of that sounds familiar, talk to a free helpline from the list on this page. A short self-assessment on your national helpline site is a good first step.
What is the difference between casino limits and national self-exclusion?
Casino tools (deposit, loss and time limits, a cool-off break or self-exclusion) only apply to that one operator. A national scheme, such as GAMSTOP in the UK, OASIS in Germany, CRUKS in the Netherlands or BetStop in Australia, blocks you at every licensed operator in that market at once. It does not cover unlicensed sites.
Can I get help if I do not live in the countries listed?
Yes. Ask your local health service or search for your national problem gambling helpline. Gambling is legal in only some places, so check the rules where you live before you play. Most licensed casinos also link to help from their responsible gambling page.
Does BrilliantCasinos take money from casinos you rate?
We earn a commission from some links. It never changes a TrustScore. Our scoring method and editorial guidelines explain how we rate casinos, and we list weak and bad casinos honestly.