Responsible Gaming

Gambling Should Be Entertainment — Not a Way to Make Money

When you gamble, you are paying for entertainment — the same way you might pay for a cinema ticket or a night out. The outcome is always determined by chance, and over time the odds favour the operator. Gambling should never be viewed as a source of income, an investment, or a solution to financial problems.

Before you play, we encourage you to adopt these simple principles:

• Only gamble with money you can afford to lose — never with money set aside for rent, bills, or essentials.
• Set a budget and a time limit before you start, and stick to both.
• Never try to win back money you have lost ("chasing losses").
• Never gamble when you are upset, stressed, depressed, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Balance gambling with other hobbies and activities.
• Treat any winnings as a bonus, not an expectation.

Age Verification — 18+

In the United Kingdom, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to gamble. All licensed betting sites featured on designslily.com are required by the UK Gambling Commission to verify the age and identity of their customers before allowing them to deposit or play.

If you share a device with children or young people, please take precautions:

• Never leave your gambling accounts logged in on shared devices.
• Keep your payment card details secure and do not save them in browsers used by minors.
• Consider using parental control software such as Net Nanny, Gamban, or the built-in family settings on your device to block gambling content.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or income. It often develops gradually. Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you or someone you care about:

• Chasing losses — gambling more to try to win back money you have lost.
• Hiding your gambling — lying to family or friends about how much time or money you spend.
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or going into debt to fund gambling.
• Gambling with money intended for bills, food, rent, or other essentials.
• Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when you try to cut down or stop.
• Gambling to escape stress, boredom, loneliness, or difficult emotions.
• Neglecting work, studies, relationships, or personal responsibilities because of gambling.
• Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to get the same excitement.
• Unsuccessful attempts to cut back, control, or stop gambling.
• Thinking constantly about gambling or planning the next bet.

If you recognise two or more of these signs in yourself, we strongly encourage you to use the self-help tools below or contact one of the support organisations listed further down this page. Seeking help early makes a real difference.

Self-Help Tools Available at Licensed Betting Sites

Every UK-licensed gambling operator is required to offer responsible gambling tools. We recommend setting them up before you start playing:

• Deposit limits — cap the amount of money you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly. Once set, increases typically take effect only after a cooling-off period.
• Loss limits — restrict the total amount you can lose within a chosen period.
• Wagering and session limits — control how much you can stake or how long you can play in a single session.
• Reality checks — on-screen reminders showing how long you have been playing and how much you have spent or won.
• Time-outs — take a short break from gambling (typically 24 hours to 6 weeks) without closing your account.
• Self-exclusion — block yourself from a specific operator for a minimum of 6 months. For broader protection, register with GamStop (see below) to self-exclude from all UK-licensed online gambling sites at once.
• Blocking software — tools such as Gamban and BetBlocker can block access to gambling sites and apps across all your devices, including those based offshore.

You can usually find these tools in the "Responsible Gambling" or "Safer Gambling" section of your account settings. If you cannot locate them, contact the operator's customer support.

Support Organisations

Free, confidential, and non-judgemental help is available. If you are in the UK, these are the key organisations:

United Kingdom

• GamCare — operates the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133, free, 24/7), live chat, forums, and free counselling across Great Britain. Visit www.gamcare.org.uk.
• GamStop — the free national self-exclusion scheme. One registration blocks you from all UK-licensed online gambling websites and apps. Register at www.gamstop.co.uk.
• Gamblers Anonymous UK — free peer-support meetings nationwide. Visit www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk.
• NHS Northern Gambling Service — NHS treatment clinics for gambling addiction. Visit the NHS website and search for "help with gambling addiction".

International Support

• Australia: Gambling Help Online — free 24/7 counselling and chat at www.gamblinghelponline.org.au.
• Canada: Responsible Gambling Council — information, research, and help resources at www.responsiblegambling.org.
• United States: National Council on Problem Gambling — call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER, or visit www.ncpgambling.org.
• Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) — free helpline 0800 1 37 27 00 and online counselling via "Check dein Spiel".

If you are located elsewhere, search online for your national problem gambling helpline, or contact Gamblers Anonymous International for local support groups.

Concerned About Someone Else?

Problem gambling affects families and friends too. GamCare and GamAnon (www.gamanon.org.uk) offer dedicated support for partners, relatives, and friends of people experiencing gambling harm. You are not alone, and support is available for you as well.

If You Think You Have a Problem — Act Today

Recognising that gambling may be causing you harm takes courage, and it is the most important first step. Help is free, confidential, and available right now:

• Call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 — free, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
• Register with GamStop at www.gamstop.co.uk to block yourself from all UK-licensed gambling sites.
• Talk to your GP — gambling addiction is a recognised health condition, and treatment is available through the NHS.

Remember: gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to earn money. If it stops being fun, stop — and reach out. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

18+ | BeGambleAware | Gamble responsibly.