Safer Gambling at Non UK Casinos

Know what you are giving up

When you play at a non UK casino you lose the protections that come with a UK licence: GamStop, mandatory deposit limit prompts, affordability checks and an approved UK complaints service. Some offshore operators offer good tools voluntarily; others offer very little. If you have self-excluded through GamStop, please do not use offshore casinos to get around that decision.

Set limits on day one

Most reputable non UK casino sites include these tools in the account settings, even if you have to look for them:

• Deposit limits — daily, weekly or monthly caps on how much you can pay in.
• Loss limits — a ceiling on net losses over a set period.
• Session reminders — pop-ups showing how long you have been playing.
• Time-outs — a cooling-off break from 24 hours to several weeks.
• Self-exclusion — closes your account for six months or more.

If you cannot find a tool, ask live chat to apply it for you and keep a copy of the conversation.

Block gambling across every site

Operator self-exclusion only covers one casino. These tools cover many more:

• Bank gambling blocks. Monzo, Starling, Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest and many other UK banks let you block gambling payments in their app.
• Blocking software. Gamban and BetBlocker block access to thousands of gambling sites, including non UK online casinos, on your phone and computer.
• GamStop. Still worthwhile for UK licensed sites, even though it does not cover offshore operators.

Warning signs

Consider taking a break if you chase losses, borrow to gamble, hide your gambling from people close to you, feel anxious when you are not playing or spend more time or money than you planned.

Free UK support

These services are free, confidential and available to you wherever you play, including at non UK casinos.