Responsible gambling at Spinko

• Spinko
• Spinko Responsible gaming

Gambling works best when it stays entertainment — a choice you make because you enjoy it, not something you feel obliged to do. We built Spinko around that principle, and this page explains how we support it: what tools we offer, what warning signs are worth watching for, and where to get help when you need it.

Why this matters

Most people gamble without problems. A smaller group finds it harder to stop, and for them the friction shows up first in small, ordinary ways — chasing a loss, playing longer than planned, borrowing to cover a session. Those moments are worth noticing, because they signal when entertainment has crossed into something else.

The goal is not to eliminate risk — gambling always carries some — but to recognise when your relationship with it has changed, and to act before that change becomes expensive or damaging.

Signs gambling is getting out of hand

These behaviours are concrete markers, not judgements. If several of them describe you, it is worth taking a break and reassessing:

• Spending more than you intended, repeatedly
• Borrowing money to gamble, or gambling with money meant for bills or rent
• Chasing losses — increasing bets to win back what you have already lost
• Lying to family or friends about how much time or money you are spending
• Feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut back
• Using gambling to escape stress, boredom or negative feelings
• Neglecting work, relationships or responsibilities because of gambling
• Thinking about gambling constantly, even when you are not playing

Questions worth asking yourself

A short self-check. Answer honestly — nobody sees this but you:

• Do you gamble until your last pound is gone?
• Have you missed work, college or family commitments because of gambling?
• Do you feel guilty or ashamed after a session?
• Have you borrowed money or sold possessions to fund gambling?
• Do you gamble to escape problems or relieve anxiety?
• Have arguments about money at home increased since you started gambling?
• Do you return the next day to win back losses?
• Have you tried to stop or cut back, and failed?

One or two "yes" answers do not diagnose a problem, but they are worth reflecting on. Several "yes" answers suggest it is time to set stricter limits or reach out for support.

Our control tools

We offer self-exclusion as a way to step back when gambling stops feeling enjoyable. You can request a temporary or permanent break by emailing us, and we will activate it within 24 hours.

During a self-exclusion period, your account is locked — you cannot log in, deposit, withdraw or access any balance. A temporary exclusion lasts as long as you specify; a permanent one closes the account for good, and any remaining funds are forfeited.

Self-exclusion is not a punishment. It is a practical tool for anyone who recognises they need distance from gambling, whether for a few weeks or indefinitely. If you are unsure which option suits you, start with a shorter exclusion and extend it if needed.

Practical limits that work

Setting rules before you play removes decision-making in the moment, when judgement is harder. These limits are concrete and measurable:

• Deposit a fixed amount once a week, and stop when it is gone. No top-ups mid-session.
• Set a time limit — one hour, two hours — and walk away when the alarm goes off, win or lose.
• Never gamble on credit. Use only money you have already earned and can afford to lose.
• Keep gambling separate from other activities. Do not play while working, during meals, or when spending time with family.
• Track what you spend in a notebook or app. Seeing the total over a month makes patterns visible that daily sessions hide.
• Take regular breaks — a day off each week, or a week off each month. Distance helps you assess whether you are playing because you enjoy it or because you feel compelled to.

Where to get help in the UK

Free, confidential support is available whether you are worried about your own gambling or someone else's. These organisations exist specifically to help:

GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline, reachable at 0808 8020 133 (free, 24 hours a day, every day). The line is staffed by trained advisers who understand gambling problems and can talk you through immediate steps. Visit gamcare.org.uk for online chat and email support.

BeGambleAware offers practical guides, self-assessment tools and treatment referrals. Their site, begambleaware.org, explains what different kinds of help look like and how to access them, whether you want counselling, peer support or residential treatment.

GamStop is a free national self-exclusion scheme that blocks access to all UK-licensed gambling sites at once. Register at gamstop.co.uk and choose an exclusion period — six months, one year or five years. The block applies across every licensed operator, not just us.

Gordon Moody provides residential and online treatment for people with serious gambling problems. Their programmes run for several weeks and include therapy, group support and practical help rebuilding routines. Find out more at gordonmoody.org.uk.

Blocking software

If you want a technical barrier rather than relying on willpower alone, these tools block gambling sites on your devices:

Gamban (gamban.com) runs on phones, tablets and computers, blocking tens of thousands of gambling sites and apps worldwide. It costs a subscription fee, and once installed it cannot be easily removed until the term you set expires.

BetBlocker (betblocker.org) is free and works on multiple platforms. You choose which categories to block — casino, sports betting, bingo — and set a time period. It blocks known gambling domains and updates its list regularly.

Protecting minors

This site is for players aged 18 and over (18+). If you share a device with someone under 18, parental-control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio can block gambling sites entirely on that device, preventing accidental or deliberate access by a child.

Young people are particularly vulnerable to gambling-related harm, and normalising it early increases that risk. Keep your account secure, log out after every session, and do not leave gambling apps or sites open on shared devices.

Contact us

If you need to activate self-exclusion or have questions about our responsible-gambling tools, email [email protected]. We respond within 48 hours, and exclusion requests are processed within 24 hours of receipt.

For immediate crisis support, call the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133 — the line is free, confidential and available around the clock.

This site is for players aged 18 and over (18+). If gambling ever stops feeling like a choice you enjoy making, free and confidential support is available at BeGambleAware.org.