Responsible gambling
Slots like Big Bass Christmas are entertainment that costs money. These are the tools UK casinos must give you, the warning signs to watch for and where to get free, confidential help.
Set your limits before you play
Every UKGC-licensed casino has to offer deposit limits. Set one when you sign up, per day, week or month, and treat it as the amount you can afford to lose. Lowering a limit takes effect straight away; raising it involves a cooling-off wait. Many casinos also offer loss limits, session reminders and a full account history.
Take a break or exclude yourself
A time-out pauses your account for anything from a day to a few weeks. Self-exclusion closes it for six months or longer. To block yourself from every UK-licensed gambling site at once, register with GAMSTOP; it is free and lasts for the period you choose, from six months to five years.
Know what features cost
In some versions of these games, the Ante Bet raises each spin’s cost by 50% for a better chance of free spins, and on Christmas Bash it lowers the max win to 3,334×. Bonus buy is not available in Great Britain, but demos may still show prices such as 100× or 410× your stake per purchase. High-volatility slots can go a long time without a bonus round, so a balance can drain faster than expected.
Warning signs
- spending more time or money than you planned;
- chasing losses, or borrowing money to gamble;
- hiding gambling from family or friends;
- feeling anxious or irritable when you are not playing.
Free, confidential help
- GamCare — National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133, free, 24 hours a day.
- BeGambleAware — advice, self-assessment and local treatment services.
- GAMSTOP — free self-exclusion from UK-licensed online gambling.
Gambling is for people aged 18 and over only. If you think someone under 18 is gambling, contact the casino’s support team.