Responsible gambling

Last updated: 15/06/2026

Gambling should always be entertainment, not a source of income or a way to solve financial problems. WinPlace is committed to supporting safer gambling for all UK players, in line with UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) standards and the licence conditions that govern every operator serving the British market.

This page explains the player protection tools available to you, the free support services you can contact at any time and the warning signs that gambling may be becoming a problem. The information is written for adults aged 18 or over. If you are under 18, you must not register an account or place any bet.

Player protection tools

Every UK account at WinPlace includes a full set of safer gambling controls. You can set or change these tools at any time from the responsible gambling section in your account. Decreases take effect immediately; increases follow a 24 hour cooling-off period as required by UKGC rules.

• Deposit limits: cap the amount you can deposit per day, per week or per month. The limit applies across all payment methods.
• Loss limits: cap the total net loss across your account over a chosen period.
• Session limits: set a maximum length of time per login. When the timer expires you are logged out automatically.
• Reality checks: receive an on-screen reminder every 30, 60 or 90 minutes showing how long you have played and your net result.
• Time-out: pause your account for 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days or 6 weeks. During this period you cannot log in or deposit.
• Self-exclusion: block your account for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. Self-exclusions cannot be reversed within the chosen period.

These tools are free, take seconds to set and have no impact on any pending withdrawals. Many UK players use a combination, for example a weekly deposit limit plus a 60 minute reality check, to keep gambling firmly in the entertainment category.

GamStop

UK players can register with GamStop, the national self-exclusion scheme funded by the gambling industry and approved by the UK Gambling Commission. Registration is free and takes about five minutes.

Once registered, you will be blocked from logging in or opening an account with every UKGC-licensed online gambling operator for the period you choose: 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. The block applies to casino, bingo, poker and sportsbook sites alike. You cannot lift a GamStop exclusion before the period ends.

GamStop is the right step if you feel you can no longer make balanced decisions about gambling on your own. Pair it with the free support services below for the best chance of regaining control.

Free, confidential support

• BeGambleAware: free, independent advice, information and treatment referrals across England, Scotland and Wales.
• National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133. Free, confidential, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Operated by GamCare.
• GamCare: free support, counselling, live chat, online forum and structured treatment programmes.
• Gambling Therapy: free online support for anyone affected by problem gambling, available worldwide.
• Gordon Moody: residential treatment and online recovery programmes for severe gambling harm.

Warning signs

Gambling may have become a problem if you spend more than you can afford, chase losses, gamble with money meant for bills, borrow money to gamble, hide your gambling from family or friends, feel anxious or low when not gambling, or argue with loved ones about money.

These signs do not appear overnight. They build up gradually and are easy to miss. If any of them feel familiar, take a break today and speak to one of the support services listed above. A short phone call costs nothing and could change everything.

Protecting under 18s

UK law sets a minimum gambling age of 18. WinPlace verifies every new account against electoral and credit data, and follows up with documentary checks where needed. If you share a device with someone under 18, please log out after every session and consider installing filtering software such as Gamban, Net Nanny or Qustodio.

If you suspect a minor has accessed your account, contact customer support immediately so the account can be secured and any wagers reviewed.

Affordability and financial checks

UKGC-licensed operators carry out affordability checks designed to spot players whose gambling spend looks out of step with their wider financial picture. These checks may involve a soft credit lookup, a request for a recent bank statement or payslip, or a short questionnaire. Soft credit checks do not affect your credit score and are not visible to other lenders.

Affordability checks are not optional. They are a licence condition set by the UK Gambling Commission and apply to every operator serving British players. The aim is to prevent harm before it starts, by setting realistic deposit caps for higher-spending accounts.

Banking blocks and blocking software

Every major UK bank, including Monzo, Starling, Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest and Santander, offers a gambling block inside the mobile app. The block prevents card payments to any gambling merchant and applies a 24 to 48 hour cooling-off period before it can be lifted. Combined with GamStop, it forms a strong second layer of protection.

Free blocking software such as Gamban and BetBlocker covers thousands of gambling sites and apps across every browser on a phone, tablet or computer. Once installed, it cannot easily be removed in a moment of stress, which is exactly the design intent.

Talking to family and friends

Gambling harm thrives on secrecy. Telling a partner, family member or close friend what is happening can feel daunting, but it is often the single most useful step a player can take. GamCare runs dedicated support for affected others, so a partner or relative can also get free advice on how to help without making the situation worse.

If you are not ready to talk to someone you know, the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 is open 24 hours a day. A short conversation with a trained adviser is free, confidential and does not commit you to anything.

Need help right now?

If you are worried about your gambling, take a break today. Visit our help page for full contact details, set a limit from your account, or close your account using our close account guide. You can also self-exclude from every UKGC-licensed operator at once via GamStop.

Building a safer routine

Many UK players find that a simple routine keeps gambling firmly in the entertainment category. Decide before each session how much you are willing to spend and how long you are willing to play. Treat that budget the same way you would treat tickets to a concert or a meal out: once it is gone, the evening is over, win or lose.

Avoid mixing gambling with alcohol or with periods of emotional stress. Both make it harder to stick to your limits. Pair each session with a clear, non-gambling activity afterwards (a walk, a podcast, a chat with someone you trust) so the experience has a definite end point rather than blending into the rest of the evening.

Our commitment

WinPlace will never promote bonuses to players who have triggered safer-gambling alerts, requested a cooling-off, self-excluded or shown signs of harm in their play. We follow the UK Gambling Commission's social responsibility code in full and review our marketing, bonus terms and on-site messaging against it every quarter.