Responsible Gambling
Last Updated: January 2026
At FootballTips.com, we believe gambling online should always be just that – fun. For most people, placing a bet or playing online is an enjoyable way to spend their leisure time. However, for a small minority, gambling can become a problem if it’s not kept under control.
While the vast majority of players will never experience issues, responsible gambling is important for everyone, not just those at risk. Staying in control helps ensure gambling remains a positive and enjoyable experience.
Across all of our websites, we are committed to promoting safe and responsible gambling by only advertising and recommending UK-licensed operators that provide clear player protection tools, alongside practical advice for anyone who may need extra support.
Keeping Gambling Fun and Under Control
All UK-licensed gambling sites we recommend offer tools designed to help you manage your play responsibly, including:
Player Control Tools Available
- Reality Checks – Regular prompts and time-out reminders that help you monitor how long you’ve been playing.
- Deposit Limits – Set limits on how much you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly. These can usually be reduced immediately, with increases taking effect after a cooling-off period.
- Gambling History – Full access to your betting and transaction history, including deposits, withdrawals, and wagers, so you can keep track of your activity.
- Take a Break – Temporarily pause your account for anything from 24 hours up to 6 weeks.
- Self-Exclusion – Stop gambling entirely for a fixed period ranging from six months to five years.
- Autoplay Controls – For games with autoplay features, you can set stake and loss limits in advance and choose to pause play after wins or jackpots.
Using these tools early is one of the simplest ways to stay in control.
How Do I Know If Gambling Is Becoming a Problem?
If gambling stops feeling fun, it may be time to take a step back. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you gamble alone for long periods, neglecting work or other responsibilities?
- Have you needed to increase your stakes to get the same excitement?
- Do you feel irritable, agitated, or low when you’re not gambling?
- Do you gamble to escape stress or personal problems?
- Have you claimed to be winning when you were actually losing?
- Have you tried and failed to cut down on gambling?
- Have you ever been tempted to be dishonest to fund gambling?
- Do you gamble to try to win back previous losses?
- Have you hidden gambling from people close to you?
- Have you borrowed money or gone into debt because of gambling?
- Have you sold possessions to fund gambling?
- Have you broken promises to family or friends in order to gamble?
If you answered “yes” to any of these, it may be time to regain control.
You can also take the confidential “Worried About Your Gambling?” quiz on the GambleAware website and use their Gambling Calculator to better understand your habits.
What Should I Do If I Think I Have a Problem?
The first step is honesty, recognising there may be an issue and accepting that you can do something about it. For some people, simply acknowledging these behaviours is enough to make positive changes. For others, seeking advice or support is the best option.
There is nothing to be embarrassed about when asking for help.
Practical Steps to Stay in Control
- Ask someone you trust to help manage your finances for an agreed period.
- Set strict deposit, spending, or time limits using operator tools.
- Reward yourself for gambling-free periods with something positive.
- If needed, self-exclude from gambling websites entirely.
- Consider blocking gambling sites using software such as Gamblock.
- Track progress by marking gambling-free days on a calendar.
If gambling is no longer manageable, taking a full break from all forms of gambling is strongly recommended.
Free, Confidential Support Services
If you need professional advice, counselling, or someone to talk to, the following organisations can help:
GamCare
Website: www.gamcare.org.uk
Phone: 0808 8020 133
Gamblers Anonymous
Website: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
GambleAware
Website: www.gambleaware.co.uk
Phone: 0808 8020 133
National Problem Gambling Clinic
Website: www.cnwl.nhs.uk
Phone: 0800 0234 650
Player Protection
Protection of Minors
Underage gambling is illegal and can cause serious long-term harm. With online access available through mobiles, tablets, and shared devices, parental supervision is essential.
Tips for Parents and Guardians:
- Never leave your account logged in and unattended
- Password-protect your account at all times
- Do not allow anyone under 18 to gamble
- Keep payment cards out of reach of children
- Do not save passwords on shared devices
- Use filtering and parental control software
- Limit the amount of time children spend online
If you share devices with minors, consider registering with Net Nanny, a leading internet filtering service, to restrict access to gambling content.
Important Gambling Guidelines
Always remember:
- Gambling should be a personal choice, never a necessity
- Set limits before you start playing
- Never gamble if:
You are under the legal age
Gambling interferes with daily responsibilities
You are recovering from a dependency
You are under the influence of alcohol or substances
You are chasing previous losses
Your goal is to clear debt through gambling