Responsible Gambling at Fish and Spins

Gambling should be entertainment, something you choose because it's enjoyable, not something that pulls at you when you'd rather be doing something else. If you've opened this page because you're questioning whether your play is still under control, you're already asking the right question. What follows is practical: the signs that matter, the tools Fish and Spins provides, and the UK organisations that offer free, confidential support when you need it.

Why responsible gambling matters

Play stops being fun the moment it starts costing you more than money. It affects sleep, relationships, work and the way you feel about yourself. The line between entertainment and compulsion is easy to cross without noticing, and by the time you do notice, the harm is often already done.

Responsible gambling is about keeping that line visible. It means setting boundaries before you need them, recognising when something has shifted, and knowing where to turn when the enjoyment has gone. This is not about never gambling; it's about gambling in a way that doesn't take over.

Signs gambling is getting out of hand

These behaviours are worth paying attention to, not as a diagnosis but as signals that something may have changed:

• Spending more time or money on gambling than you originally planned, repeatedly.
• Chasing losses – playing again immediately after losing, trying to win back what you've lost.
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or using credit to fund gambling.
• Gambling when you're upset, anxious or trying to escape other problems.
• Lying to family or friends about how much you're playing or how much you've spent.
• Neglecting responsibilities at work, home or in relationships because of gambling.
• Feeling restless, irritable or anxious when you try to cut down or stop.

If two or more of these apply to you, it's worth talking to someone.

Questions worth asking yourself

A short self-check, answered honestly:

• Have you ever felt you should cut down on your gambling?
• Have people criticised your gambling or expressed concern about it?
• Have you ever felt guilty about the way you gamble or the amount you've spent?
• Have you ever gambled first thing in the morning, or to get rid of nervousness or worry?
• Do you gamble to get money to pay debts or solve financial problems?
• Does gambling ever make it hard to sleep, concentrate or enjoy other activities?
• After losing, do you feel you must return as soon as possible to win back your losses?
• Have arguments, frustrations or disappointments ever made you want to gamble?

These are adapted from recognised screening tools used by support organisations. A "yes" to several of them suggests it's time to seek help.

Our control tools

We offer self-exclusion as a way to take a complete break from play. You can request this by contacting our support team via Live Chat, which is open around the clock. Once self-exclusion is active, you will not be able to access your account for the period you've chosen. This is a binding commitment – you cannot reverse it until the exclusion period ends.

Deposit limits cannot be applied to cryptocurrency deposits due to the nature of the payment system. If you wish to set a deposit cap as part of responsible gambling controls, you must use an alternative fiat payment method such as a card. This allows you to define a maximum amount you can deposit over a day, week or month.

These tools work only if you use them before you feel you've lost control. Setting a limit when you're calm is easier than trying to enforce one when the urge to play is strong.

Practical limits that work

Limits are more useful when they're specific and when they reflect your actual life, not an ideal version of it:

• Set a budget before you start – an amount you can afford to lose, not an amount you hope to win. Stick to it.
• Set a time limit as well as a spending limit. It's easy to lose track of how long you've been playing.
• Never gamble with money you need for rent, bills, food or debt repayments.
• Avoid gambling when you're tired, drunk, upset or trying to fix a bad day.
• Take regular breaks. Walk away after a set period, win or lose, and do something else.
• Don't chase losses. Accept that losing is part of gambling, and walking away is always an option.

Where to get help in the UK

If gambling is causing harm, free and confidential support is available. These organisations are run by people who understand what problem gambling looks like, and they will not judge you for reaching out.

GamCare provides support, information and treatment for anyone affected by problem gambling. You can call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Their website is gamcare.org.uk.

BeGambleAware offers guidance, self-assessment tools and links to treatment services. Visit begambleaware.org for free confidential support and practical advice.

GamStop is a free national self-exclusion scheme. Registering with GamStop blocks you from all UK-licensed gambling sites for a minimum of six months. It's a stronger step than self-exclusion from a single site, and it covers all operators participating in the scheme. Register at gamstop.co.uk.

Gordon Moody provides residential treatment and online support for people whose gambling has become unmanageable. Their services include a residential programme and ongoing aftercare. Visit gordonmoody.org.uk or call them for more information.

Blocking software

If you want to restrict access to gambling sites on your devices, blocking software can help. Gamban is a paid service that blocks gambling websites and apps across all your devices – phones, tablets and computers. It works in the background and cannot be easily removed once installed. Visit gamban.com for more details.

BetBlocker is a free alternative, also available across multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It blocks access to thousands of gambling sites and can be configured to suit your needs. Download it from betblocker.org.

Protecting minors

This site is for players aged 18 and over (18+). If you share a device with someone under 18, parental control software can prevent access to gambling sites. Tools such as Net Nanny, Qustodio and Norton Family allow you to block categories of websites, set time limits and monitor activity. These are not substitutes for supervision, but they add a layer of protection when devices are shared.

If you have concerns about a young person's gambling, GamCare and BeGambleAware both provide advice for families.

Contact us

For questions about this page or our responsible gambling policies, email our team at [email protected]. We aim to respond within 48 hours.

Access to this site is restricted to persons aged 18 and over (18+). If gambling ever stops feeling like entertainment, free and confidential help is available at BeGambleAware.org.