Safer gambling
Gambling is never a way to make money. Tips, warning signs and free, confidential helplines for the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Ireland and NL.
Last updated 5 October 2026
We report on gambling. We never tell you to gamble.
Casino Courant is a news site. We do not offer gambling and we do not encourage anyone to gamble. Gambling is entertainment that costs money. The house always has an edge, and over time most people lose more than they win.
Adults only
Our site is for people aged 18 and over. In many places the minimum age is higher. For example, the casino age is 21 in most US states, and in Macau nobody under 21 may enter a casino. In the Netherlands the minimum age is 18, but players under 24 have lower deposit limits at licensed online casinos. Always check the law where you live.
Tips to keep gambling under control
- Decide in advance how much money and time you will spend, and stop when you reach the limit.
- Only gamble with money you can afford to lose. Never use money meant for rent, bills or food.
- Do not try to win back what you have lost. Chasing losses usually leads to bigger losses.
- Do not gamble to cope with stress, boredom, loneliness or low mood.
- Avoid gambling when you have been drinking.
- Take regular breaks, and use the deposit limits, time-outs and reality checks that licensed operators offer.
- Only use operators licensed in your country. Licensed operators must offer protections that unlicensed sites do not.
Warning signs
Gambling may be becoming a problem if you recognise any of these:
- you spend more money or time gambling than you meant to;
- you need to bet more to feel the same excitement;
- you borrow money, sell things or fall behind on bills because of gambling;
- you hide your gambling or lie about it to people close to you;
- you feel restless, irritable, anxious or guilty about gambling;
- you have tried to cut down or stop and could not;
- gambling causes arguments or affects your work, study or relationships.
Help is free and confidential
If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone, and help is free and confidential. You can also talk to a GP or other health professional.
United Kingdom
- National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare: call 0808 8020 133, free, 24 hours a day. Live chat at gamcare.org.uk.
- GamStop: free self-exclusion from online gambling sites and apps licensed in Great Britain. gamstop.co.uk.
- GambleAware: information, self-assessment and a support finder. gambleaware.org.
United States
- National Problem Gambling Helpline, run by the National Council on Problem Gambling: call or text 1-800-MY-RESET, or chat online, 24/7. ncpgambling.org.
Canada
- ConnexOntario (Ontario): free mental health, addictions and gambling support, 24/7. Call 1-866-531-2600, text CONNEX to 247247 or chat at connexontario.ca. In other provinces, ask your provincial health service for local gambling support.
Australia
- Gambling Help Online: free 24/7 counselling by online chat and email at gamblinghelponline.org.au, or call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858.
- BetStop: the national self-exclusion register for licensed online and phone wagering. betstop.gov.au.
Ireland
- GamblingCare (Gambling Awareness Trust): national helpline 1800 936 725, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. gamblingcare.ie.
- HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline: 1800 459 459, Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm, or [helpline@hse.ie](mailto:helpline@hse.ie).
The Netherlands
- Loket Kansspel: free and anonymous advice. Call 0800 24 000 22 or visit loketkansspel.nl (in Dutch).
- AGOG: free self-help groups for people who want to stop gambling. agog.nl (in Dutch).
- Cruks: the national self-exclusion register of the Kansspelautoriteit. Registration covers all licensed Dutch gambling, online and in land-based casinos and arcades, for at least six months. Register at cruksregister.nl.
Worldwide
- Gamblers Anonymous: in-person, online and phone meetings in many countries. Find a meeting at gamblersanonymous.org.
A note on these details
We checked the phone numbers and websites on this page on 5 October 2026. Services sometimes change their numbers. If something does not work, please tell us at [editor@casinocourant.com](mailto:editor@casinocourant.com). If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, call your local emergency number.