Responsible Gambling Resources, Tools and Advice for Safer iGaming

Gambling online should be fun and for most people it is, but it can become addictive and turn into a serious problem so it's important to be aware of responsible gambling resources and how they can help keep you or loved ones safe. On this page, we share information and advice for anyone seeking to learn more on the subject, including links to helpful local organizations should you find your fun turning into an obsession.

What is Responsible Gambling?

Responsible gambling is all about ensuring that your online casino or online sports betting doesn't become harmful and stays as a form of entertainment. There are a number of practices that you can use, and in 2025, responsible gambling is an important policy of any online casino. There are specific measures put in place to prevent harm and decrease the risk of you developing a problem with gambling addiction. These measures help you stay in control by allowing you to set safe limits

If playing at online casinos stops being fun or you're losing control, you should get help immediately, and the advice you need is contained on this page. One thing to always remember is that the house always wins in the long run and the online casino will always have the advantage in every game. You can win real money, but this should never be your focus. It is essential that you remain in control and set limits. Responsible Gambling tools help you to do just this and include the ability to set betting limits, time limits, and self-exclude. It is important that you familiarize yourself with these safeguards so that you can ensure you have a positive and enjoyable experience every time you play.

Our Commitment To Safe Online Gambling

Top10Casinos.com is committed to keeping you safe when you gamble online. This includes providing honest and non-biased reviews and informing you when a casino site doesn't have a license or is unsafe to play at. We also include a responsible gambling section in our reviews so you know what tools will be available, allowing you to make an informed decision.

We also have several game guides that explain the rules, information on casino bonuses, and much more. We believe that the more information our readers possess, the better decisions they will be able to make. We understand that even with safety measures in place, there are people that can develop gambling addiction and as such, we have information on this page about how to gamble responsibly, the tools you can use, and where you can get help.

The Number One Rule to Follow

Never gamble with money you can't afford to lose. The house will always have an advantage and you should always have a budget and only play with money you can afford to lose.

Player Protection - Legal Requirements at Online Casinos

To protect players, online casinos are not only required to be licensed and regulated, they also have to gather information about their players (age and payment verification). Some countries are restricting payment methods while autoplay has been removed in others. There's even talk of limits on slots spins. All of this is in a bid to protect players and adhere to responsible gambling practices. Bonuses and even loyalty programs are being looked at.

Underage Gambling Prevention

Underage gambling is illegal and in order to prevent it, licensed and regulated online casinos are required to do KYC checks. This is to ensure that no one under the legal gamlbing age of every country can play casino games (or free or real money).

However, there are addtional steps that you can take to protect children in your home. It is important to teach children about gambling and how to stay safe should they choose to partake it in when they are of legal age to do so. Teach them about responsible gaming, explain how gambling works, and never leave your casino accounts logged in. Use parental controls or website blocking apps on any child devices.

KYC & Proof of Income

KYC (Know Your Customer) is a requirement at all gambling sites, and this includes providing proof of your identity and address. Some sites may also require you to provide proof of income in accordance with AML requirements.

Ban on the use of Credit Cards for Deposits

The UK, USA, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, NZ, and New Zealand have all banned credit cards for online gambling. The UK was the first to do this in April 2020 and other countries have since followed. You will still be able to use Visa and Mastercard, but these are debit card options only. This hasn't come into effect in Canada, but it could be introduced as a way to promote responsible gambling.

Responsible Gambling Tools Available at Online Casinos in 2025

In 2025, responsible gambling is taken very seriously, and the best online casinos will offer a range of tools that players can use to remain safe and in control. These are listed below along with an explanation of each.

Deposit Limits : It is important to set a budget and deposit limits allow you to control how much you spend. You can set amounts per hour, day, week, and month. Once set, if you reach your limit, you won't be able to deposit any more money into your account.
Session Limits : This is where you can set the amount of time you can play for. It's very easy to lose track of time when playing your favorites slots or table games and the ability to set times that will automatically stop your gameplay and let you know how long you've been playing is great for staying in control. The default is usually 60 minutes but you can have adjust this based on your preferences.
Account History : This lets you keep track of your betting and most online casinos will provide you with a full record of your history including all deposits, withdrawals, and wagers placed. This is usually in your account history. We recommend keeping track of this as it is a great way to spot any red flags and get help before addiction takes hold.
Self Evaluation : This is where you can ask yourself a series of questions to identify if you are displaying any signs of problem gambling. We recommend answering these on a regular basis.
Self Exclusion : The option to self-exclude is available at online online casinos and is a legal requirement. You can close your account for a set period of time during which you will not be able to open a new one or play at the casino. The time varies from 24 hours up to indefinitely. It is a great tool but it won't stop you from playing at another site so we recommend you seek help from professional organizations as well.

Other Useful Tools & Websites

The first step to getting help is to admit that you need it. You need to be honest with yourself. You need to be willing to accept help. You need to take back the control. It is never something to be afraid or embarrassed about. Below are some steps you can take right now.

Set deposit limits and session limits on all your online casino accounts.
Take a break. Self-exclude if you believe this is the best option for you.
Use a blocking app like GamBlock if you don't think you can do it yourself.
Keep track of every day you don't gamble so you can see your progress.

How to Block Payments to Betting Sites

If you've set deposit limits but keep removing them or changing them, you can contact your bank and ask them to block any payments to gambling websites. You can block your debit card, block all online payments, and more. Speaking directly with your bank will give you the options you need.

Website Blocking Tools

There are blocking tools that you can use, and these can help manage a gambling problem. You can install these tools on your desktop, laptop, and mobile devices to help with your responsible gambling efforts. These tools will prevent you from opening new accounts as well as accessing existing accounts. The best tools to use are listed below, but be sure to check in your country of residence if there is a specific blocking tool that you can use.

Betblocker : BetBlocker is a UK-based app that is free worldwide and can be used to block access to all gambling websites. It only takes a couple of minutes to install and can be used anonymously. It prevents access to over 85,400 websites.
Gamban : This tool has international coverage even though it is UK-based. It automatically blocks any new gambling websites. This tool is not free and you can choose between monthly and annual subscriptions. One thing of note is that Gamban cannot block gambling ads, adult content, or sports statistics. It can be used on all operating systems.
GamBlock : This tool blocks both websites and apps on mobile devices and cannot be bypassed by using a VPN or Tor. It also can't be disabled by using factory reset on your devices. It blocks all gambling websites in Canada, but it can be expensive. As a permanent option, it is great though.

How to Stop Seeing Gambling Ads

For many people with a gambling problem, ads are a nightmare, but there are ways that you can opt out of seeing these. Many social media apps will let you adjust advertiser settings and if you want to stop seeing gambling ads on Google all you need to do is go to the Data and Privacy section of your Google Account and turn off personalised ads in the ad centre.

Self-Evaluation for Problem Gambling - Are You in Control?

Problem gambling is classed as a repetitive gambling behavior that continues despite having harmful or negative consequences. There are a lot of people that play at online casinos whether for fun or professionally and have no difficulties at all. But there are people who develop a problem and they find it hard to stop. They bet more than they should, and they begin to play just for the "big win" that never comes. If this happens, you need to know what to do to prevent developing a gambling addiction. This is why safer gambling is so important and the questions in the next section will help you assess your own habits and spot any harmful patterns.

Questions to help with Self-Evaluation

There are certain questions you can ask yourself in order to assess your gambling habits and see if they are getting out of control. We've list the most common self-evaluation questions below.

How often do you gamble?
Do you spend long periods of time alone gambling?
Have you increased the amount your spend in order to get the excitement you're looking for?
Do you stay away from work or other activities in order to gamble?
Are you suffering from irritability or mood swings as a result of gambling?
Are you gambling to escape other issues in your life?
Are you hiding your gambling or losses from people?
Have you tried reducing the amount of time you spend at online casinos and failed?
Have you tried reducing the amount of money you spend and failed?
Do you go back online and gambling to try and win back your losses?
Have you borrowed money because of your gambling?
Have you ever considered doing something dishonest to finance your gambling?
Do you have gambling debts?
Are you breaking promises or backing out of commitments to gamble instead?
Do you gamble when you haven't planned to?

If you find yourself answering Yes to any of these questions, we advise that you take the necessary steps to regain control. You can use the rest of the advice on this page or seek professional help from any of the organizations we've listed.

Local Organizations for Problem Gambling & Addiction

Many countries have dedicated companies that offer free support in native languages to anyone seeking help or advice for themselves or someone they know that is experiencing challenges related to problem gambling - both online and offline. We have gathered links to the most prominent organizations in the United States, Canada and the UK however, there are many more international organizations that could be better suited to individuals in Asia, South America and other international regions.

Getting Help in the USA

In the United States, the legal age for gambling in most states is 21 but there are a few that have 18 as the legal age so be sure to check. There are a number of helpful organizations including:

There are some state self-exclusion programs which can be found on your state's government website.

Getting Help in Canada

The legal age for online casinos in Canada will either be 18 or 19 depending on your province. If you are looking for help with problem gambling there are a number of helpful organizations linked below.

In terms of self-exclusion, there are programs run by individual provinces and we've listed those below.

Alberta : The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) has a self-exclusion program so you can exclude from all Alberta casinos and racing entertainment centres. This includes PlayAlberta.ca. They also have a 24-hour helpline.
British Columbia : BC has Game Break which is operated by GameSense and can block access to all gambling sites for six months up to 3 years. They also have a 24/7 helpline that is toll free.
Manitoba : You have to create an account at PlayNow.com and complete the self-exclusion to join the Game Break program.
Ontario : The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has My PlayBreak as well as a support centre for those looking for help.
New Brunswick : Self-exclusion is done through the Responsible Gambling Information Centre (RGIC) which is funded by the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation (NBLGC).
Nova Scotia : Offers a voluntary self-exclusion program accessed through the Responsible Gambling Resource Centre in Halifax or Sydney. Lottery players can self exclude through the Atlantic Lottery. You can also use the Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel, and Tobacco Division of Service Nova Scotia.
Prince Edward Island : Self-exclusion is through PlayWise at Red Shores.
Quebec : Loto-Quebec has a self-exclusion program that you can opt into. You can also get more help from Gambling: Help and Referral (GHR).
Saskatchewan : The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) has a self-exclusion program. You have to request it at any of their locations or at the SIGA's office in Saskatoon by appointment.
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon : There are no self-exclusion programs but you can use toll free gambling helplines.

Getting Help in the UK

Legal gambling is allowed from age 18 and there are a number of problem gambling organizations that people can use. These include:

For self-exclusion, players in the UK can use GamStop which will prevent you from accessing any websites or apps that are run by companies licensed within the UK for a period that you set.

Check Your Local Resources

While many of the resources above are international, if they don't apply to you, we urge you to search for an organization in your country and in your native language. There are problem gambling organizations and helpful resources for everyone.

Responsible Gambling Tips from Top10Casinos.com

For safer online gambling and to play responsibly, here's a checklist that our team developed to help our visitors:

Only Play at Licensed Casinos: Choose reputable authorities such as the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), UK Gambling Commission, Kahnawake Gaming Commission, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
Set Limits: Set both betting and deposit limits so you can control and manage your spending.
Never Chase Losses: Never try to win back what you lose by gambling more.
Take Breaks: Step away from your screen at regular intervals so that you can keep a clear head and prevent any impulsive decisions.
Avoid Drugs and Alcohol: Never gamble under the influence of alcohol or drugs as this will impair your judgement and can lead to poor decision making.
Use Self-Exclusion: If you ever feel gambling is becoming a problem use self-exclusion tools to help you regain control.
Play Low Cost Games: Choose games with low betting limits. This is a great way to reduce risk and prolong your entertainment.
Get Help: If you are struggling, get help.

How To Help Others with Gambling Addiction

What should you do if you think someone you know has a gambling addiction? If you suspect that someone you know or love has a problem with gambling there is support available for you too and below we list some things that you can do.

Create a safe space for you and your loved one to have an open conversation about your concerns over their gambling. Avoid any type of confrontation and try to be as understanding as possible. Offer your support and help.
Encourage them to get professional help from a responsible gambling program, hotline, or counsellor.
Protect your own well-being and set clear boundaries that will help both of your mange the situation.
Educate yourself on gambling addiction and the help that is available. The more you understand the better.
Help your loved one find self-exclusion programs and blocking tools while you work on the problem.

FAQ About Responsible Gambling

Why is responsible gambling important?
Responsible gambling is vital in the age of digital gambling. It helps to protect against financial loss, and it can also help prevent gambling addiction, stress, and depression. It helps you to understand the dangers of gambling as well as introduce safe gambling practices.
Is online gambling safe?
Yes, if you play at a fully licensed and regulated online casino such as the ones we feature. We also recommend that you set betting limits and practice responsible online gambling. If you're not having fun, stop.
How old do you have to be to gamble online?
The legal age in many countries is 18 but there are some where it is 19 or 21, so it's always best to check your local laws first before you even consider creating an account with any online casino.
What is responsible gambling policy?
A responsible gambling policy is a set of guidelines and practices that have been designed to help reduce any potential problems that may be associated with gambling.
How can I keep track of my spending?
The best way to do this is to make use of deposit limits. You can also check your history in your online casino account which will show you your deposits, withdrawals, and bet history.
How can I stop my children being exposed to online casinos and betting sites?
You can use blocking tools such as BetBlocker and turn off gambling ads on social media sites and Google. You should also teach your children about safe gambling so they know about it and the dangers.