We want your time at Jokery to stay enjoyable. This page explains the control tools we offer, the warning signs worth watching for, and where to get free, confidential help in the UK if gambling ever stops feeling like entertainment.
Why responsible gambling matters
Gambling is designed as entertainment, not a way to make money or solve financial problems. Most players enjoy it without trouble, but for some it can become a burden. Recognising the boundary early — and knowing what to do when you cross it — makes all the difference.
We provide tools to help you set limits and take breaks. Using them is not an admission of a problem; it is a sensible way to keep play in proportion to the rest of your life.
Signs gambling is getting out of hand
These behaviours are concrete warning signs, not abstract concerns:
- Spending more money or time than you planned, repeatedly.
- Chasing losses — depositing again to try to win back what you lost.
- Borrowing money, selling possessions, or missing bill payments to fund gambling.
- Lying to family or friends about how much you spend or how often you play.
- Neglecting work, studies, or relationships because gambling takes priority.
- Feeling anxious, irritable or restless when you are not playing.
If two or more of these apply to you, it is worth pausing and seeking support.
Questions worth asking yourself
A short self-check can clarify whether your play is still under control. Answer honestly:
- Have you ever felt the need to bet more money to get the same level of excitement?
- Have you tried to cut down or stop gambling, and found you could not?
- Do you gamble to escape worry, guilt, anxiety or depression?
- Have you lied to people important to you about how much you gamble?
- Has gambling caused problems in your relationships, your job, or your financial situation?
- Have you relied on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling?
This is not a diagnosis. If you answered yes to one or more, consider talking to someone — a friend, a GP, or one of the specialist organisations below.
Jokery's control tools
We offer two mechanisms to help you manage your play. Both are available through your account settings or by contacting our support team.
Self-exclusion
Self-exclusion prevents you from using your account for an indefinite period. Once activated, your account is closed and any remaining balance is refunded to you. This is the strongest tool we offer and is designed for players who need a complete break. It cannot be reversed on request — you must wait out the period you set, which protects you from impulsive decisions.
24-hour cool-down period
The 24-hour cool-down is a temporary break from gambling that does not close your account. It gives you breathing space without the finality of self-exclusion. You can extend a cool-down period, and the extension takes effect immediately. If you want to shorten it, you must wait 24 hours from the request — unless the existing period is due to end within that timeframe, in which case it simply runs its course.
Practical limits that work
Beyond the formal tools, these habits help keep gambling recreational:
- Set a budget before you play — an amount you can afford to lose — and stop when you reach it, whether you are ahead or behind.
- Set a time limit — treat a session like any other leisure activity, with a clear end point.
- Never gamble to recover losses. Chasing is the behaviour most likely to escalate spending beyond what you intended.
- Keep gambling separate from other parts of your life. Do not gamble at work, when you are upset, or when you need to be doing something else.
- Take regular breaks. A day or a week away helps you see whether gambling is still optional.
Where to get help in the UK
Free, confidential support is available 24/7. You do not need to be in crisis to call — these services are there for anyone who wants to talk.
GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, free and open around the clock. Trained advisers offer practical support, not judgment. Visit gamcare.org.uk for live chat and email options.
BeGambleAware provides information, tools and access to treatment at begambleaware.org. The site includes a self-assessment tool and connects you to local services.
GamStop is a free national self-exclusion scheme. Register at gamstop.co.uk and you will be blocked from all UK-licensed gambling sites for a period you choose — six months, one year, or five years. It covers sports betting, casino, bingo, poker and lottery sites.
Gordon Moody offers residential treatment and online support for people severely affected by gambling. Their programmes run from one to twelve months, and they also provide aftercare. See gordonmoody.org.uk for referral details.
Blocking software
If you want to prevent access to gambling sites across all your devices, two free tools are widely used:
- Gamban (gamban.com) — blocks tens of thousands of gambling sites and apps. Once installed it cannot be removed during the period you set. Available for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.
- BetBlocker (betblocker.org) — open-source and free, works across multiple platforms. You can configure it to block all gambling sites or only certain types.
Protecting minors
Access to our site is restricted to persons aged 18 and over (18+). If you share a device with someone under 18, consider installing parental-control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio to prevent underage access to gambling sites.
For help or questions about the tools above, contact our support team at [email protected].
This site is for players aged 18 and over (18+) only. If gambling ever stops feeling like entertainment, free and confidential help is available at BeGambleAware.org.