Responsible Gaming

Gambling should always be treated as a form of entertainment — never as a way to earn money, recover from financial difficulty, or solve personal problems. The house always has an edge, and over time the odds are not in your favour. Only ever gamble with money you can comfortably afford to lose, and never borrow money to bet. At dbaf.co.uk, we care about our readers' wellbeing as much as we care about American football, so please take a moment to read this page and keep it in mind whenever you choose to play.

Age Verification

In the United Kingdom, you must be 18 years or older to gamble. All licensed operators are legally required to verify your age and identity before allowing you to deposit or play. Underage gambling is illegal, and accounts found to belong to minors will be closed with any winnings forfeited. If you share your devices with children, consider using parental control software (such as Net Nanny or the built-in controls on your device) and never leave gambling accounts logged in.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or income. Be honest with yourself and check whether any of the following apply to you:

• Chasing losses — betting more to try to win back money you've lost
• Hiding your gambling from family, friends, or colleagues
• Gambling with money meant for bills, rent, or essentials
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or going into debt to gamble
• Thinking about gambling constantly, even when doing something else
• Needing to bet larger amounts to get the same excitement
• Feeling restless, anxious, or irritable when trying to cut down
• Lying about how much time or money you spend gambling
• Gambling to escape stress, loneliness, or other problems
• Neglecting work, studies, or relationships because of gambling

If you recognise one or more of these signs in yourself or someone you care about, it may be time to seek support. Recognising the problem is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Self-Help Tools

All UK-licensed gambling operators are required to offer tools that help you stay in control. We strongly encourage you to use them before you start playing, not after problems arise:

• Deposit limits – set a maximum amount you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Loss limits – cap the amount you can lose over a set period.
• Reality checks – on-screen reminders of how long you've been playing and how much you've spent.
• Time-outs – take a short break from gambling, from 24 hours up to several weeks.
• Self-exclusion – block yourself from gambling sites for a longer period. In Great Britain you can register with GamStop to self-exclude from all UK-licensed online operators at once, free of charge.
• Blocking software – tools such as Gamban or BetBlocker can block access to gambling sites and apps across your devices.

Support Organizations

Help is free, confidential, and available whenever you need it. For our readers in the United Kingdom, these are the primary services:

• GamCare – free information, advice, and support, including the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133, available 24/7). www.gamcare.org.uk
• GamStop – free national self-exclusion scheme for all UK-licensed online gambling. www.gamstop.co.uk
• Gamblers Anonymous UK – peer support meetings across the country. www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk

If you are reading from outside the UK, support is also available in your region:

• Australia: Gambling Help Online – www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
• Canada: Responsible Gambling Council – www.responsiblegambling.org
• USA: National Council on Problem Gambling (call or text 1-800-GAMBLER) – www.ncpgambling.org
• Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) – www.check-dein-spiel.de

Take Action Today

If gambling is no longer fun, if it's causing you stress, debt, or conflict with the people you love — please don't wait. Reach out to GamCare on 0808 8020 133, register with GamStop, or talk to your GP. Asking for help is the bravest and smartest play you can make. You are not alone, and recovery is always possible.

Remember: gambling is a game, not a livelihood. When the fun stops, stop.

Last updated: 2026 · dbaf.co.uk