Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over. It is a paid form of entertainment, not a way to make money or solve financial problems. Over time, the house edge means most players lose more than they win.
If you are worried about your gambling, or someone else’s, you can talk to someone right now: the National Gambling Helpline is free on 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day.
Signs that gambling may be causing harm
Gambling harm often builds gradually. Any of the following can be a sign that it is time to take a break or get support:
- spending more money or time on gambling than you intended;
- chasing losses — gambling again to win back what you have lost;
- borrowing money, using savings meant for bills or selling belongings to gamble;
- feeling anxious, irritable or low when you are not gambling, or when you try to cut down;
- hiding or lying about your gambling to family, friends or your partner;
- gambling to escape problems, stress or boredom;
- neglecting work, study, sleep or relationships because of gambling;
- needing to stake more to feel the same excitement.
One or two of these does not mean you have a gambling problem, but it is worth acting on early.
Check your gambling: the self-test
The short questionnaire below is based on the nine questions of the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), a screening tool widely used by researchers and treatment services. Answer each question thinking about the last 12 months. Your answers stay in your browser — nothing is sent to us or to Spinboss.
Self-test · 9 questions · about 2 minutes
Thinking about the last 12 months, how often has each of these applied to you? Your answers stay on this device — nothing is sent anywhere.
How the score works
Each answer is scored: never = 0, sometimes = 1, most of the time = 2, almost always = 3. The nine scores are added together.
| Total score | Result | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Non-problem gambling | No signs of harm from your answers |
| 1–2 | Low risk | Some low-level risk; worth keeping an eye on your habits |
| 3–7 | Moderate risk | Gambling may be causing you some harm; consider limits and talk to someone |
| 8 or more | Problem gambling | Gambling is likely causing harm; please contact a support service |
This is a screening aid, not a diagnosis. Whatever your score, if you are worried, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or speak to your GP.
Safer gambling tools at Spinboss
Spinboss provides these tools in your account settings. Set them before you play, not mid-session.
| Tool | What it does | Key details |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limits | Caps how much you can deposit | Daily, weekly or monthly. Decreases apply instantly; increases only after a 24-hour cooling-off period |
| Loss limits | Caps how much you can lose over a period | Set the amount you are prepared to lose |
| Reality checks | Session-time reminders while you play | Shows how long you have been playing |
| Time-out | A short break from your account | From 24 hours up to 6 weeks |
| Self-exclusion | Closes your account for a long period | From 6 months up to 5 years |
| Account history | Shows your deposits, withdrawals and net position | Use it to see what you have really spent |
A self-exclusion cannot be reversed before the period ends. For help, see our support guide or our account blocked guide.
GAMSTOP: block every UK gambling site at once
GAMSTOP is a free UK self-exclusion scheme. Registering takes a few minutes and lets you exclude yourself from all online gambling sites and apps licensed in Great Britain for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. Spinboss, like every UK-licensed operator, checks GAMSTOP when you register.
Once the exclusion is active it cannot be cancelled early. When the minimum period ends, the exclusion stays in place until you contact GAMSTOP to remove it.
UK protections that apply to every player
UK Gambling Commission rules give you protections on top of the tools you set yourself:
- Age and identity checks must be completed before you can deposit or play.
- Online slot stake limits: a maximum of £5 per spin, reduced to £2 per spin for players aged 18–24. Younger adults are statistically at higher risk of harm, which is why their limit is lower.
- No credit cards: credit cards are banned for UK gambling, so you cannot gamble with borrowed money on a card. Debit cards and e-wallets only.
- No autoplay and a minimum spin speed of 2.5 seconds on slots.
- Withdrawals cannot be reversed back into play once requested.
Affordability checks
Spinboss, like all UK operators, may carry out affordability or financial-risk checks when your spending reaches certain levels. You may be asked for documents such as payslips or bank statements. They are designed to spot people spending more than they can afford. Our verification guide explains what may be requested.
Blocking software and bank gambling blocks
Extra barriers can help when willpower alone is not enough:
- Gambling blocks on your bank account or card. Many UK banks and card providers let you switch on a gambling block in their app, which declines payments to gambling merchants. Some add a cooling-off period of up to 48 hours before you can switch the block off again. Check your bank’s app or ask your bank directly.
- Blocking software. Tools such as Gamban, BetBlocker (free) and GamBlock block access to gambling websites and apps on your phone, tablet and computer. Used together with GAMSTOP and the Spinboss limits, these tools make impulsive gambling much harder.
Where to get help
All of the following services are free and confidential. You do not need to be in crisis to contact them.
| Organisation | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| National Gambling Helpline (run by GamCare) | Confidential advice and support, 24/7 | Call 0808 8020 133 (free) |
| GamCare | Live chat, counselling and support for gamblers and those affected | gamcare.org.uk |
| BeGambleAware | Information, self-assessment and routes into free treatment | begambleaware.org |
| GAMSTOP | Free self-exclusion from UK online gambling | gamstop.co.uk |
| Gordon Moody | Residential and online treatment for gambling harm | gordonmoody.org.uk |
| GamAnon | Support groups for family and friends | gamanon.org.uk |
| NHS National Problem Gambling Clinic | Specialist NHS treatment for gambling disorder | Ask your GP or the helpline about referral |
If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.
Advice for family and friends
Gambling harm affects the people around the gambler too — partners, children, parents and friends. If you are worried about someone:
- Choose a calm moment to talk. Avoid raising it straight after a loss or during an argument.
- Describe what you have noticed and how it affects you, rather than labelling them.
- Avoid paying off their debts or lending money for gambling; it can keep the cycle going.
- Protect your own finances. Consider separating joint accounts and speaking to your bank.
- Get support for yourself. GamCare and the National Gambling Helpline help affected others, and GamAnon runs groups for families. You can seek help even if the person gambling is not ready to.
A final word from our team
No bonus, promotion or VIP perk is worth more than your wellbeing. If gambling has stopped being fun, stop, take a break and talk to someone. Our guides to promotions and wagering requirements explain the terms, but this page matters more than any of them.