Understanding Your Gaming Habits
Most people enjoy gaming without issues, but it's worth checking in with yourself regularly. Think about whether you're spending more time or money than planned. Are you chasing losses or using gaming to escape from difficulties? Has anyone close to you expressed concern?
Here are some questions worth considering:
- Do you find yourself thinking about gaming when you're meant to be focused on something else?
- Have you borrowed money or skipped paying bills to continue gaming?
- Do you feel restless or irritable when you're not able to play?
- Are you being secretive about how much time or money you're spending?
- Have you tried to cut back but found it difficult to stick to your decision?
If several of these ring true, it might be time to make some changes or reach out for support.
Practical Tools to Stay in Control
Your Betgrouse account includes several features designed to help you manage your activity. These aren't just tick-box options – they're genuinely useful if you want to set boundaries.
Deposit Limits
You can set daily, weekly, or monthly limits on how much you deposit. Once you hit that limit, you won't be able to add more funds until the period resets. This helps prevent impulsive decisions during a session. Any changes you make to increase these limits won't take effect immediately – there's a 24-hour cooling-off period built in.
Time Reminders and Session Alerts
It's easy to lose track of how long you've been playing. You can activate notifications that remind you how much time has passed, helping you stick to whatever schedule you've set for yourself.
Reality Checks
These periodic notifications show you exactly how long you've been playing and how much you've spent during that session. They create a natural moment to decide whether to continue or log off.
Loss Limits
Set a maximum amount you're willing to lose over a specific timeframe. Once you reach that threshold, you won't be able to continue playing until the period resets.
Taking a Break or Stepping Away
Sometimes the best decision is to stop completely for a while – or permanently. We offer multiple options depending on what you need.
Time-Out Periods
If you need a short break, you can suspend your account for 24 hours, 48 hours, one week, or one month. During this time, you won't be able to log in or receive promotional communications. Your account will automatically reopen when the period ends.
Self-Exclusion
This is a more serious step, available for periods between six months and five years. Once you self-exclude, you cannot access your account, and we'll take steps to prevent you from opening new accounts. You won't receive any marketing from us during this time.
Importantly, this only covers Betgrouse. If you're concerned about your overall gaming activity, you should also register with GAMSTOP, the UK's national self-exclusion scheme. Once registered, you'll be blocked from all UK-licensed gaming sites and apps for your chosen period (six months, one year, or five years). Visit www.gamstop.co.uk to register – it's free and covers all operators.
Support Services Available in the UK
You don't have to handle concerns about gaming alone. Several organisations in the UK provide free, confidential support:
| Organisation | Services | Contact |
| BeGambleAware | Free confidential helpline, online chat, and treatment referrals | 0808 8020 133 or visit begambleaware.org |
| GamCare | Counselling, support groups, and a forum for affected individuals | 0808 8020 133 or visit gamcare.org.uk |
| National Gambling Helpline | 24/7 helpline offering advice and referrals to local services | 0808 8020 133 |
| Gamblers Anonymous | Peer support through regular meetings across the UK | Visit gamblersanonymous.org.uk for meetings |
| Gordon Moody Association | Residential treatment programmes and ongoing support | 01384 241292 or gordonmoody.org.uk |
Protecting Younger People
Gaming accounts are strictly for adults aged 18 and over. We use age verification checks, but parents and guardians can also take steps at home. Consider using parental control software to block access to gaming sites on shared devices. Keep payment cards and account details secure, and have open conversations about the risks of underage gaming.
If you suspect a minor has accessed a gaming account, contact our customer support immediately so we can investigate and close any inappropriate accounts.
Looking After Those Around You
Gaming problems affect more than just the person playing. If someone you care about seems to be struggling, approaching the conversation with empathy rather than judgment makes a difference. Focus on specific concerns rather than accusations, and point them toward the support options listed above.
GamCare and BeGambleAware both offer dedicated support for family members and friends affected by someone else's gaming habits.
Our Commitment
We monitor accounts for patterns that might indicate problematic behaviour. If our systems flag potential concerns, we may reach out to check in or suggest setting limits. We take our obligations seriously because gaming should never cause harm.
If you have questions about any of these tools or need help accessing support services, our customer service team is available to assist. You can reach them through the contact options on our site.
Remember: asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Taking action now, even if it feels difficult, is always better than waiting until problems become more serious.