Responsible gambling and player safety
Gambling is entertainment, not a way to earn money or solve financial problems. Dolly provides information about safer playing controls, common warning signs and UK support services for anyone whose gambling is no longer under control.
Why responsible gambling matters
Most gambling begins as occasional entertainment, but spending and losses can become difficult to judge when play happens frequently. A useful starting point is to decide what you can afford to lose before choosing a game or placing a bet.
Budget limits should cover both deposits and any money spent beyond the usual balance. Keeping a record of deposits, withdrawals and session length makes it easier to notice a change in behaviour before chasing losses or borrowing to continue.
Signs that gambling may need attention
- You are hiding deposits or betting time from family and friends.
- You use money intended for food, bills, transport or savings.
- You increase stakes after a loss in an attempt to recover the money.
- You feel unable to stop after your planned session or budget has ended.
- You borrow, sell possessions or cancel plans to fund play.
- You feel anxious, restless or preoccupied when you are not gambling.
- You try to win back money that has already been lost.
One sign does not define a problem, but several together deserve attention. If play is affecting your finances, relationships, work or wellbeing, taking a break is a practical step rather than a failure.
Questions worth asking yourself
A short self-check can help you judge your current position without pretending to diagnose yourself.
- Can I stop playing when the limit I set is reached?
- Have I borrowed money or used essential funds to gamble?
- Am I playing longer than I intended?
- Do I feel calmer only after another game?
- Have I hidden losses or spending from people close to me?
- Would I still choose this amount of spending today?
- Is gambling affecting my work, sleep or relationships?
The control tools available through Dolly
Dolly provides account controls that can help structure play before a session begins. Their value comes from setting them early, while your judgement is not affected by a loss.
- Deposit limits restrict how much can be added to your balance over a chosen period.
- Loss limits cap the amount lost during a defined session or period.
- Wager limits limit the total amount wagered.
- Session and time limits set boundaries for how long you remain in play.
- Time-outs provide a temporary pause from the account.
- Self-exclusion takes a longer break from gambling.
Choose a limit that protects money needed elsewhere. A smaller boundary is easier to maintain than one designed to handle your largest possible loss.
Practical limits that make a difference
- Set a deposit ceiling before logging in.
- Use session reminders or a fixed end time.
- Keep a separate bank or payment balance for gambling.
- Do not top up immediately after a losing session.
- Use a time-out whenever play continues beyond your plan.
- Ask someone you trust to hold your account limits in place if needed.
Self-exclusion is the strongest option when ordinary limits repeatedly fail. A longer break can create distance from triggers and give you time to assess the wider impact.
Support for gambling problems in the UK
Free, confidential support is available from several organisations. The National Gambling Helpline is open 24/7 on 0808 8020 133. BeGambleAware provides information, tools and support for gambling harm.
GamCare offers support for people affected by gambling, while Gordon Moody provides residential and online treatment. GamStop lets adults self-exclude from licensed gambling sites across participating operators.
Blocking software
Gamban and BetBlocker can block gambling sites and apps across supported devices. BetBlocker is free and works across multiple platforms. Blocking software is useful during a self-imposed break or when ordinary account controls are not enough.
Protecting minors
Dolly is for players aged 18 and over. A shared device can make age controls harder to enforce, so parental-control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio can restrict gambling sites and payment services on devices used by younger household members.
Contact [email protected] if you need help understanding our safety information or the support options listed here. Gambling should be entertainment, not a chore.
Access to this site is restricted to persons aged 18 and over (18+). If gambling is affecting your life, free and confidential support is available at BeGambleAware.org.
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