Responsible Gambling at FishSpins
Gambling should be entertainment, not an obligation. FishSpins provides tools to help you stay in control, and this page connects you with free, confidential support across the UK when you need it. Everything here is designed to keep your play enjoyable and within limits that work for you.
Why responsible gambling matters
Betting and gaming are meant to add excitement, not stress. When play starts affecting your finances, relationships, or daily routine, it has stopped being entertainment. Recognising that shift early gives you more options to adjust before problems compound.
The tools and resources on this page exist for exactly that reason. You do not need to wait for a crisis to use them. Setting a deposit limit or taking a break are practical steps, not admissions of failure.
Signs gambling is getting out of hand
Watch for these behaviours in yourself. Any one of them is worth pausing over:
- Chasing losses by depositing more than you planned
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund play
- Lying to family or friends about how much you gamble
- Neglecting work, study or responsibilities to keep playing
- Feeling restless or irritable when you try to stop
- Using gambling as an escape from stress or low mood
None of these behaviours resolve on their own. If two or more apply to you, consider reaching out for support using the resources further down this page.
Questions worth asking yourself
This short self-check is not a diagnosis. It is a prompt to think honestly about how gambling fits into your life right now. Answer yes or no to each one:
- Have you ever tried to cut back on gambling but found you could not?
- Do you gamble to win back money you have already lost?
- Has gambling caused arguments with family or friends?
- Have you missed work or other commitments because of gambling?
- Do you feel guilty or anxious after a session?
- Have you borrowed money or used credit to gamble?
- Do you think about gambling when you are doing other things?
- Has gambling made financial problems worse?
More than two yes answers suggest gambling is affecting your wellbeing. The organisations listed below offer free, confidential advice without judgement.
FishSpins control tools
We provide self-exclusion and deposit limits to help you manage your account. Both are straightforward to request and enforceable once active.
Self-exclusion
You can exclude yourself from playing by contacting our support team via Live Chat, which is open around the clock. Once you request self-exclusion, your account is closed for the period you specify. You will not be able to log in, deposit or place bets during that time. Self-exclusion durations range from six months to permanent closure, depending on what you ask for.
This is a binding step. We will not reopen your account early, and any attempt to create a new account while excluded violates our terms.
Deposit limits
Deposit limits let you cap how much you can fund your account over a day, week or month. To set one, contact our support team and specify the amount and timeframe. Limits apply to fiat payment methods only – we cannot enforce them on cryptocurrency deposits due to the nature of that payment system.
Once a limit is active, any deposit that would breach it is automatically declined. You can tighten a limit at any time; requests to increase a limit are delayed by 24 hours to give you a cooling-off period.
Practical limits that work
Control starts with decisions you make before you play, not during a session. These five habits reduce the risk of overspending:
- Decide your budget before you log in, and treat it as money already spent.
- Set a time limit and stick to it – use a timer if that helps.
- Never chase losses by depositing more than you planned.
- Take regular breaks during long sessions, even when you are winning.
- Keep gambling separate from alcohol or substances that cloud judgement.
These are not rules imposed by anyone else. They are boundaries you set for yourself, and they work best when you decide them in advance rather than in the moment.
Where to get help in the UK
Free, confidential support is available across the UK from organisations that specialise in gambling harm. You do not need to be in crisis to contact them, and speaking to someone does not commit you to anything.
GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, which is free to call and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Trained advisers provide immediate support, and the service also offers online chat and email counselling. Visit gamcare.org.uk for more information.
BeGambleAware provides advice, information and treatment referrals for anyone affected by gambling harm. Their website hosts a live chat service and a directory of local support groups. Access it at begambleaware.org.
GamStop is a free national self-exclusion scheme that blocks your access to all UK-licensed gambling sites for a period you choose – six months, one year, or five years. Registration takes a few minutes and is effective across every operator participating in the scheme. Sign up at gamstop.co.uk.
Gordon Moody offers residential treatment programmes and online therapy for people severely affected by gambling. Their services are free and confidential. Learn more at gordonmoody.org.uk.
Blocking software
Software can block gambling sites on your devices before you are tempted to visit them. Two widely used options are Gamban (gamban.com), which works across computers, tablets and phones, and BetBlocker (betblocker.org), which is free and covers multiple platforms. Both prevent access to gambling sites for a set period once installed.
Protecting minors
FishSpins is for players aged 18 and over (18+) only. If you share a device with someone under that age, parental-control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio can restrict access to gambling sites. These tools let you block categories of content rather than individual URLs, which is more effective for households with children or teenagers.
Never allow a minor to use your account or to be present while you play. Normalising gambling at a young age increases the risk of harm later.
If you need advice about your gambling, or if something on this page concerns you, reach the FishSpins support team at [email protected]. For free, confidential help in the UK, contact GamCare on 0808 8020 133 or visit BeGambleAware.org.
Access to this site is restricted to persons aged 18 and over (18+). We want your play to stay enjoyable – for free, confidential support, visit BeGambleAware.org.
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