Responsible gambling: staying in control and where to get help in the UK
Gambling should be a form of paid entertainment, with money you can afford to lose and time you have set aside for it. For some people it stops being that, sometimes slowly and sometimes quickly. This page explains the principles that help keep gambling under control, the warning signs to watch for, the tools available in the UK and where to find free, confidential support.
Principles that keep gambling in its place
It also covers one point specific to this site. Patrick Spins is not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and is not connected to GAMSTOP, so the protections British players rely on do not apply there.
No strategy changes the fact that casino games are designed to return less than is staked over time. RTP figures describe that long-run average across huge numbers of bets; they do not predict any single session. Staying in control is about limits you set before you play, not about systems for winning.
These habits make the biggest difference:
- decide on a budget before you start and treat it as the cost of the entertainment;
- never gamble with money meant for rent, bills, food or debt repayments;
- set a time limit and stop when it runs out, whether you are up or down;
- do not chase losses by raising stakes or making another deposit;
- avoid gambling when you are stressed, low, or have been drinking;
- do not borrow, or use a credit card, to gamble.
The last point is why credit card gambling is banned on UKGC-licensed sites. Patrick Spins accepts credit cards, which makes it easier to gamble with money you do not have.
Warning signs of problem gambling
Problem gambling rarely announces itself. Looking honestly at your habits every so often is one of the most useful things you can do. If you recognise several of the following, it is worth talking to someone:
- you spend more money or time gambling than you planned;
- you need to bet larger amounts to feel the same excitement;
- you go back to win back what you lost;
- you hide your gambling, or lie about it, to family or friends;
- you borrow money, sell belongings or miss bills because of gambling;
- you feel anxious, irritable or low when you try to cut down;
- gambling affects your sleep, work, studies or relationships.
Family members often notice changes first: unexplained money problems, secrecy around a phone or long absences. Support exists for them too, as listed further down this page.
Tools that help you stay in control
The UK has a strong set of free tools, and most work regardless of which site you use. Combining several of them is more effective than relying on one.
| Tool | What it does | Covers Patrick Spins? |
|---|---|---|
| GAMSTOP | Free self-exclusion from all UKGC-licensed online gambling for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years | No |
| Gamban and similar software | Blocks gambling websites and apps on your devices | Yes, as it blocks sites rather than relying on the operator |
| Bank gambling blocks | Many UK banks let you block gambling transactions on your debit card in the app | Card payments, often yes; crypto deposits, no |
| Casino deposit limits and time-outs | Limits and breaks set inside your casino account | Only by e-mail request to support |
At Patrick Spins, self-exclusion and cooling-off periods are not available as instant controls in the account; they must be requested by e-mail, and deposit and loss limits are not enforced to UKGC standards. Our licence and safety page explains the wider picture.
If you are registered with GAMSTOP
If you have self-excluded through GAMSTOP and find yourself searching for casinos outside it, please stop for a moment. Sites that are not part of the scheme, Patrick Spins included, work around the decision you made to protect yourself. That urge is a common part of problem gambling, not a failure. Call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, run by GamCare, and consider installing blocking software so the sites stop appearing at all.
To put stronger barriers in place, follow these steps:
- Register with GAMSTOP or confirm your existing exclusion is still active.
- Install blocking software such as Gamban on every phone, tablet and computer you use.
- Turn on the gambling block in your banking app, if your bank offers one.
- Ask a family member or friend you trust to help manage money for a while.
- Speak to a support service about the reasons behind the urge to gamble.
Protecting children and young people
Gambling is only for adults. In Great Britain the legal minimum age for online gambling is 18, and licensed operators must verify age and identity before anyone can play. Patrick Spins only asks for identity documents at the first withdrawal, which leaves a gap that age checks on UK sites are designed to close.
Parents and carers can reduce the risk at home with a few simple measures. Use parental control settings on devices and app stores, keep payment cards and saved card details out of reach, and do not leave gambling sites logged in on shared devices. Talking openly with teenagers about how gambling and gambling-style games work is just as important as any filter.
Where to get help in the UK
All of the services below are free and confidential. You do not need to be in crisis to contact them, and many people get in touch simply to talk through their options.
- National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare: 0808 8020 133, available 24 hours a day, plus online chat.
- BeGambleAware: advice, self-assessment tools and links to local treatment services.
- GAMSTOP: free online self-exclusion from UKGC-licensed sites.
- Gamban: software that blocks gambling sites and apps on your devices.
- GamAnon: support groups for family and friends of people affected by gambling.
- NHS gambling clinics: specialist treatment in England, with self-referral available.
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, call 999 or contact Samaritans on 116 123 at any time.
More about how this site works is on our about us page, and you can reach our editorial team through the contact page, though we are not a support service and cannot help with individual accounts.**
