OddsBoom covers betting markets because plenty of people enjoy a bet on the football, the Cheltenham Festival or the next general election. For most of them it stays a bit of fun. For some it stops being fun, and when that happens the most useful thing we can do is point you towards help quickly and without judgement.

This page explains the tools available to keep gambling under control, the signs that it might be becoming a problem, and where to go for free, confidential support.

Our commitment

OddsBoom is operated by SJ Marketing Ltd and is intended only for adults aged 18 and over. We do not write content aimed at under-18s, and we will never suggest that betting is a way to make money or solve financial problems.

We only work with bookmakers licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Where we are paid to promote an offer, it is clearly marked as an advert with #AD, and the significant terms are shown alongside it so you can see the conditions before you sign up.

Betting should always be something you can afford to lose. If you would not be comfortable losing the money you are about to stake, that is a good reason not to place the bet.

Signs gambling may be becoming a problem

Gambling harm does not always look dramatic. It often builds gradually, and many people only recognise it looking back. It may be worth pausing if you find yourself doing any of the following:

• Spending more money or time on gambling than you planned to
• Chasing losses by betting again to win back money you have lost
• Borrowing money, using credit or selling things to fund gambling
• Feeling anxious, irritable or low when you are not gambling
• Hiding how much you bet from family, friends or a partner
• Gambling getting in the way of work, sleep, relationships or bills

None of these means you have failed at anything. They are simply signals that it may be time to use some of the tools below, or to talk to someone.

Tools that help you stay in control

Deposit limits. Every bookmaker licensed in Great Britain has to let you set daily, weekly or monthly deposit limits in your account settings. Lowering a limit takes effect straight away, while raising one involves a waiting period, which gives you time to reconsider.

Time-outs and reality checks. You can take a short break from an account, from a day up to several weeks, and set reminders that tell you how long you have been playing.

Self-exclusion with a single bookmaker. If one account is the problem, you can ask that operator to close it for a minimum of six months, during which it cannot be reopened.

GAMSTOP. This free national scheme lets you exclude yourself from every online gambling site licensed in Great Britain in one step, for six months, one year or five years. Sign up at gamstop.co.uk.

Blocking software. Tools such as Gamban and the free BetBlocker stop gambling websites and apps loading on your devices, including sites not covered by GAMSTOP.

Bank gambling blocks. Most UK banks and card providers let you block gambling transactions from within their app. Some add a delay before a block can be switched off, which can be a real help on a difficult day.

Where to get free support

• National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133, free and open 24 hours a day, run by GamCare, which also offers live chat, counselling and support for friends and family.
• NHS gambling support: specialist NHS gambling clinics in England accept self-referrals. NHS advice on gambling explains the options, and your GP can also refer you.
• Gordon Moody: residential and online treatment programmes, with advice and live chat through Gambling Therapy. More at gordonmoody.org.uk.
• Gamblers Anonymous: free peer support meetings across the UK, in person and online, at gamblersanonymous.org.uk.
• Samaritans: 116 123, free and open around the clock for anyone struggling to cope, at samaritans.org.

If you are worried about someone else

Gambling harm affects the people around a gambler as much as the gambler themselves. If someone close to you is struggling, you can get support in your own right, whether or not they are ready to seek help.

GamCare and the National Gambling Helpline offer advice for family and friends on 0808 8020 133, and GamAnon runs support groups specifically for people affected by a loved one’s gambling.

Contact us

If you have a concern about any content on OddsBoom, including an advert you believe should not have been shown to you, please email info@oddsboom.co.uk and we will look at it promptly.

Please note that we are not a counselling service. If you need support with your own gambling or someone else’s, the organisations listed above are the right place to start, and all of them are free.

18+. Please gamble responsibly.