This page exists because Avon Leisure Cruises carries reviews of online casinos, and those reviews sit alongside information about other subjects. Gambling is entertainment. It is never a way to make money, solve financial problems or fill time when you are bored or upset.
Recognising when gambling stops being fun
The shift from occasional play to something harder to control is rarely sudden. A pattern builds over weeks or months, and the person in it is often the last to see it clearly.
Watch for these changes:
- Spending more than you planned, or returning to play after you meant to stop.
- Chasing losses — putting down another stake to win back what has gone.
- Borrowing money to gamble, or using money set aside for bills or savings.
- Thinking about gambling when you are doing other things, or feeling restless when you are not playing.
- Keeping gambling secret from people close to you, or lying about how much you spend or how often you play.
- Missing work, appointments or time with family because you were gambling.
If two or three of those feel familiar, it is worth pausing to think about what has changed and whether the enjoyment is still there.
Asking yourself the right questions
A short self-check can bring clarity. Answer honestly — nobody else sees this.
- Have you ever felt the need to gamble with larger amounts to get the same feeling?
- Have you tried to cut down or stop, and found that you could not?
- Do you gamble to escape worry, guilt or low mood?
- Have you lied to someone close about how much you gamble?
- Has gambling caused problems in a relationship, at work or with money?
- Have you asked someone else to lend you money because gambling left you short?
One yes does not mean you have a problem; three or more means it is time to talk to someone and consider taking a break.
Setting limits and taking breaks
Gambling sites licensed by the Gambling Commission must offer tools that let you control your play. You do not need to wait until something feels wrong to use them.
Deposit limits cap how much money you can put into your account over a day, a week or a month. Set the limit before the first deposit, when your judgement is clearest. Once it is in place, you cannot raise it instantly — there is a cooling-off period first.
Time-outs lock your account for a set period, usually between 24 hours and six weeks. You choose the length. During a time-out you cannot log in, deposit or play. It is reversible: when the period ends, access returns automatically.
Self-exclusion closes your account for a minimum of six months. You cannot reverse it early. The site will not let you open a new account during that time, and it should not send you marketing. Self-exclusion is the strongest control a single site offers.
GamStop is a free national scheme that lets you self-exclude from all gambling sites licensed in Great Britain at once. You choose six months, one year or five years. Register at gamstop.co.uk — it covers every operator the Gambling Commission licenses, and it is immediate.
Where to get help today
Talking to someone who understands gambling harm is often the turning point. The organisations below offer free, confidential support — no judgement, no waiting list for an initial conversation.
GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline: call 0808 8020 133 any time, day or night, free from any phone. The site gamcare.org.uk has live chat and a directory of local services.
BeGambleAware offers information, tools and links to treatment at begambleaware.org.
Gordon Moody provides residential and online treatment for people seriously affected by gambling. Visit gordonmoody.org.uk to learn about the programmes available.
Blocking software can stop gambling sites from loading on your devices. Gamban (gamban.com) is a paid subscription service. BetBlocker (betblocker.org) is free and works across phones, tablets and computers.
Protecting children and young people
Online gambling is for people aged 18 and over. If you share a device with someone younger, consider parental-control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio to block access to gambling sites.
Building safer habits
Small, practical changes make a difference. Treat gambling as one form of entertainment among others, not the default when you have an hour free.
Decide in advance how much you can afford to lose — money that is genuinely spare, after bills and savings — and stop when it is gone. Never gamble with borrowed money or money you need for something else. Set a time limit as well as a spending limit: when the alarm goes, log out.
Do not gamble when you are upset, tired or have been drinking. Each of those states weakens judgement, and decisions made in them often feel wrong the next day. Find something else to do in those moments — a walk, a conversation, anything that gives distance.
If a loss stings, step away. Chasing it leads to a bigger loss more often than it recovers the first one. Tomorrow is soon enough to think about whether you want to play again.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly does a deposit limit take effect when I set one?
A new deposit limit usually applies immediately. If you want to increase a limit you have already set, there is a cooling-off period first — often 24 or 48 hours — to give you time to reconsider.
Can I cancel a time-out once it has started?
No. Once a time-out begins, it runs for the full period you chose. You cannot cancel it early or ask the site to lift it. When the time-out ends, access returns automatically.
What happens to my balance if I self-exclude through GamStop?
GamStop blocks access to your accounts, but it does not close them or forfeit balances. Contact each site directly to withdraw any money left in your account before or after you register with GamStop.
Does blocking software work if I use my phone and my laptop?
Yes, if you install it on both devices. Gamban and BetBlocker are both multi-platform: you can run them on phones, tablets and computers, and one subscription or account covers all your devices.
Will anyone know if I call the National Gambling Helpline?
No. Calls to the helpline are confidential and do not appear on itemised phone bills. The service is free, available 24 hours a day, and you do not have to give your real name.