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Hub of Luck

Safer gambling

Gambling is a paid form of entertainment. Over time, the house always keeps an edge. If it has stopped being fun, or is costing more than you planned, this page is for you. There are no adverts or gambling links here.

Talk to someone now

Free and confidential. You do not need to have self-excluded or be in crisis to call.

  • United Kingdom

    National Gambling Helpline

    0808 8020 133

    England and Scotland, free, 24/7

  • United Kingdom

    National Gambling Helpline

    0808 2819 265

    Wales

  • Ontario

    ConnexOntario

    1-866-531-2600

    Free, confidential, 24/7. Text CONNEX to 247247

  • Alberta

    Alberta Health Services Addiction Helpline

    1-866-332-2322

    Free, confidential, 24/7

  • Rest of Canada

    British Columbia

    1-888-795-6111

    Provincial gambling help line

  • Rest of Canada

    Saskatchewan

    1-800-306-6789

    Provincial gambling help line

  • Rest of Canada

    Manitoba

    1-800-463-1554

    Provincial gambling help line

  • Rest of Canada

    Quebec: Jeu: aide et référence

    1-800-461-0140

    Provincial gambling help line

  • Rest of Canada

    New Brunswick

    1-800-461-1234

    Provincial gambling help line

  • Rest of Canada

    Prince Edward Island

    1-855-255-4255

    Provincial gambling help line

  • Rest of Canada

    Newfoundland and Labrador

    1-888-899-4357

    Provincial gambling help line

  • United States

    National Problem Gambling Helpline

    1-800-MY-RESET

    Call or text 1-800-697-3738, or chat online. Run by the National Council on Problem Gambling

Is gambling still fun? A two-minute self-check

Thinking about the last 12 months. Your answers stay on this device and are not saved.

  1. 1. Have you bet more than you could really afford to lose?
  2. 2. Have you needed to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling of excitement?
  3. 3. When you gambled, did you go back another day to try to win back the money you lost?
  4. 4. Have you borrowed money or sold anything to get money to gamble?
  5. 5. Have you felt that you might have a problem with gambling?
  6. 6. Has gambling caused you any health problems, including stress or anxiety?
  7. 7. Have people criticised your betting or told you that you had a gambling problem, whether or not you thought it was true?
  8. 8. Has your gambling caused any financial problems for you or your household?
  9. 9. Have you felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble?

Answer all nine questions to see your result.

Set limits before you play

Every licensed site has these tools in its account settings, usually under a heading like Safer Gambling or Responsible Gaming.

  • Deposit limit: the most you can add in a day, week or month. Decreases apply straight away; increases have a waiting period.
  • Loss limit: stops play once you have lost a set amount.
  • Time limit and reality checks: reminders of how long you have been playing.
  • Time-out: a short break, from 24 hours to several weeks.

Self-exclusion

Self-exclusion blocks you from gambling for a set period. National and regional schemes cover every licensed site in one step.

Blocking tools

Blocking software stops gambling sites loading on your devices, including sites that are not licensed where you live and would not honour self-exclusion. Many banks also let you block gambling payments from their app.

If you are worried about someone else

The helplines above support family and friends too. You can call to talk through what you have noticed and how to raise it.

Myths and facts

Am I due a win after a losing streak?

No. Each spin, hand or draw is independent. Past results do not change the odds of the next one.

Can a betting system beat the house edge?

No. Systems like doubling your stake after a loss change how you lose, not whether the house keeps its edge over time.

Is it OK to win back what I have lost?

Chasing losses is one of the clearest warning signs. If you feel the urge to win money back, it is a good moment to stop and take a break.