Responsible Gambling: Warning Signs, Tools and Help

18+ only. Last checked: 3 October 2026

Gambling is paid entertainment, not a way to earn money. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so the longer you play, the more likely you are to end up behind. Only stake money you can afford to lose, the way you would pay for a night out, and never money meant for rent, bills or debts. You must be 18 or older, and above the legal gambling age where you live.

When a casino closes

GanaWin has closed (see why GanaWin login no longer works). Any limits or self-exclusion you set there ended with the casino. They do not follow you to another site. The farewell page on ganawin.com now advertises free spins at a different casino. Free-spin offers like that exist to start new play, and a closure is a natural moment to stop instead. If you take a break, nothing is lost. If you do move to another casino, set its limits before your first deposit.

Warning signs

• You spend more money or time than you planned, or keep raising your stakes to get the same excitement.
• You chase losses by betting again to win back what you have lost.
• You borrow money, sell things or skip bills to gamble.
• You hide your gambling from family or friends, or lie about how much you spend.
• You feel restless, irritable or low when you try to cut down.
• Gambling crowds out sleep, work, study or time with people close to you.
• You gamble to escape stress, boredom or other problems.

If any of these sound familiar, take a break now and talk to someone.

Tools that help

• Deposit limits. Licensed casinos usually let you set daily, weekly or monthly deposit limits in your account. Set them before you play, not after a loss.
• Time-out and self-exclusion. A time-out blocks your account for a short period. Self-exclusion closes it for months or longer. Ask the casino how long each option lasts and whether it covers its sister sites.
• Gambling blocks at your bank. Some banks and card issuers let you block gambling payments in their app. Ask yours whether it offers this.
• Blocking software. BetBlocker is free software from a registered Scottish charity. It blocks gambling websites and apps on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS, and you can schedule blocks in advance (betblocker.org). Gamban is a paid blocker for all major platforms. One licence covers all your devices, and there is a 7-day free trial (gamban.com).

A blocker works best alongside self-exclusion, because one casino's self-exclusion does not stop you signing up somewhere else.

Where to get help

• GamCare: National Gambling Helpline (UK). Call 0808 8020 133. The line is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Advisers also answer on live chat and WhatsApp. gamcare.org.uk
• Gamblers Anonymous (England, Wales and Ulster). These are free mutual-support meetings, and you do not need an appointment. You can find a meeting on the website or call 0330 094 0322. gamblersanonymous.org.uk

Help in the other countries this site covers: Germany, Check dein Spiel 0800 1 37 27 00 (check-dein-spiel.de); Finland, Peluuri 0800 100 101 (peluuri.fi); France, Joueurs Info Service 09 74 75 13 13 (joueurs-info-service.fr); Poland, Telefon Zaufania Uzależnień Behawioralnych 801 889 880 (uzaleznieniabehawioralne.pl).

Latin America

GanaWin's remaining pages are written in Argentine Spanish. In Argentina, the national Línea 141 run by SEDRONAR (part of the national Ministry of Health) offers support on problem gambling (ludopatía), problematic substance use and digital content. It is open to the person affected and to their family and friends, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Source: argentina.gob.ar, published 27 August 2026, read 3 October 2026.

In other countries, look for the national gambling or addiction helpline. Your doctor can also refer you to support.