Gambling should be entertainment, not a way to make money or escape problems. Pommi supports safer play through practical limits and direct access to UK help services. This page explains the signs that matter, the controls we offer, and where to turn when play stops feeling like a choice.
The honest framing
Slots, live dealer games and sports betting are designed to be engaging. That is their job. For most people, most of the time, they stay exactly that – a leisure activity with a budget attached. Responsible gambling means keeping it there.
The line between entertainment and harm is not always obvious while you are crossing it. What starts as an evening's distraction can become a routine that costs more than you planned, then more than you can afford. Recognising that shift early is what this page exists for.
Behaviour that should worry you
These are not dramatic signs. They are ordinary changes in how you play, and they deserve attention before they escalate:
- Chasing losses – depositing again to win back what you just lost, especially when you had planned to stop.
- Playing with money earmarked for bills, rent or groceries.
- Lying to family or friends about how much you spend or how often you play.
- Feeling anxious, irritable or restless when you are not playing.
- Neglecting work, study or relationships because gambling takes priority.
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund play.
If two or more of these apply to you right now, it is worth pausing to ask why.
Questions worth asking yourself
A short self-check, answered honestly, can clarify whether your play is still under control. There is no scoring system here – the discomfort of answering yes is the signal itself.
- Have you ever tried to cut down your gambling and found you could not?
- Do you gamble until all your money is gone?
- Has gambling caused you to miss work, cancel plans or avoid responsibilities?
- Have you borrowed money or sold anything to gamble?
- Do you feel guilty or ashamed after a session?
- Have family or friends expressed concern about your play?
- Do you gamble to escape worry, boredom or loneliness?
- After losing, do you feel you must return as soon as possible to win it back?
One yes does not constitute a diagnosis, but it does suggest a conversation – with yourself, with someone you trust, or with a support service – is overdue.
Our deposit and time controls
We provide limits you can set directly from your account. Each one takes effect immediately when you tighten it; relaxing or removing a limit requires a 48-hour cooling-off period before the change applies.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Caps how much you can deposit within a day, week or month |
| Betting limit | Restricts how much you can wager on games within a day, week or month |
| Loss limit | Sets a ceiling on real money lost from deposits, taking profits into account, over a day, week or month |
| Self-exclusion | Closes your account for a specified period or indefinitely |
If you are an Estonian resident, you can self-exclude across all operators registered in Estonia by submitting a request to the Gambling Restricted Players List (HAMPI). This registry operates independently of individual sites and blocks access at the regulatory level.
Support organisations in the UK
Free, confidential help is available whether you are worried about your own play or someone else's. These services are staffed by people who understand gambling harm and will not judge you for calling.
GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also access live chat, email support and one-to-one counselling through gamcare.org.uk.
BeGambleAware offers online tools, forums and a directory of local support services at begambleaware.org.
GamStop is a free national self-exclusion scheme covering all UK-licensed gambling sites. Register at gamstop.co.uk and choose a period of six months, one year or five years. Once active, participating operators will block your access automatically.
Gordon Moody provides residential treatment programmes and online therapy for people experiencing serious gambling harm. Visit gordonmoody.org.uk for referral information.
Blocking software
If you need a technical barrier rather than relying on willpower alone, two tools are widely used:
- Gamban (gamban.com) blocks access to gambling sites and apps across all your devices. It runs in the background and cannot be easily disabled once installed.
- BetBlocker (betblocker.org) is a free, open-source alternative that works on desktop, mobile and tablet. It is less comprehensive than Gamban but costs nothing and requires no subscription.
Protecting minors and taking a break
This site is restricted to players aged 18 and over (18+). If you share a device with someone under that age, parental-control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio can block access to gambling sites across the household.
Taking a break does not mean admitting defeat. It means recognising that something has shifted and acting before the consequences become irreversible. A self-exclusion period – whether 48 hours, six months or longer – gives you distance from the immediate urge and time to reflect on what play has become.
If you need to talk through your options, our support team is reachable at [email protected]. We can point you towards the right service for your situation, and we will not pressurise you to keep playing.
This site is for players aged 18 and over (18+) only. If gambling ever stops feeling like entertainment, free and confidential support is available at BeGambleAware.org.
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