Responsible Gambling
Gambling should be enjoyable. When it stops being that — when it feels like an obligation, a way to recover losses, or something you hide from people close to you — it has become a problem. This page sets out the tools available to you, the organisations that can help, and how to use the controls offered by Cosmobet and the non-GamStop alternatives listed on this site.
18+ only. If you are concerned about your own gambling or someone else's, contact BeGambleAware or GamCare for free, confidential support.
Recognising When Gambling Becomes Harmful
Problem gambling rarely announces itself. It tends to develop gradually, and the signs can be easy to rationalise away. The list below covers the most common indicators. You do not need to tick every box for gambling to be causing harm.
- Spending more than you planned, regularly and not just occasionally
- Chasing losses — continuing to play to win back money you have already lost
- Borrowing money, selling possessions or using bill money to fund gambling
- Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, boredom or low mood
- Feeling irritable or anxious when you try to cut back or stop
- Lying to family or friends about how much time or money you spend gambling
- Neglecting work, family or social commitments because of gambling
- Spending significant time thinking about or planning your next gambling session
If several of these feel familiar, the tools and contacts further down this page are the right place to start.
Responsible Gambling Tools — What to Use and How
Cosmobet operates under a Curaçao eGaming licence rather than a UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence. That means it is not legally required to provide the full suite of safer gambling tools that UKGC-licensed sites must offer. In practice, some controls are still available; others may be limited or absent. If a tool you need is not available, contact support to ask — or consider one of the regulated alternatives below.
Deposit Limits
A deposit limit caps how much you can add to your account over a set period — daily, weekly or monthly. Setting one before you start playing is one of the most effective ways to keep spending in check. On Curaçao-licensed sites, limits can usually be requested via live chat or account settings, though reductions may not take effect instantly and increases are often immediate rather than subject to a cooling-off period as UKGC rules require.
Session Time-Outs
A time-out suspends your account for a short, defined period — typically 24 hours to several weeks. It is useful when you feel you need a break without committing to a longer exclusion. Ask customer support how to activate one if it is not visible in your account settings.
Self-Exclusion
Self-exclusion closes your account for a minimum period and is intended to be a firm barrier. On UKGC-licensed sites, self-exclusion is linked to GAMSTOP — the national self-exclusion scheme — which extends the block across all participating operators automatically. Cosmobet is not enrolled in GAMSTOP. If you have self-excluded via GAMSTOP and are considering a Curaçao-licensed site, please speak to GamCare or BeGambleAware first. We will not assist anyone in circumventing a self-exclusion decision.
Reality Checks
Some operators allow you to set periodic reminders of how long you have been playing and how much you have spent. If available, these prompt you to pause and decide whether to continue.
Balance and Transaction History
Reviewing your transaction history regularly gives you an accurate picture of what you are spending. Most casino accounts make this available under account settings or payment history.
GAMSTOP — The UK's National Self-Exclusion Register
GAMSTOP is a free service run by the National Online Self Exclusion Scheme. Registering with it places a block on your account across every UKGC-licensed online gambling operator simultaneously. You can choose exclusion periods of six months, one year or five years.
To register, visit gamstop.co.uk. You will need the email address associated with your gambling accounts. The block takes effect within 24 hours.
Cosmobet and other Curaçao-licensed operators covered on this site are not part of GAMSTOP. A GAMSTOP exclusion will not prevent access to them. If you need a complete break from online gambling, using GAMSTOP alongside contacting individual operators directly — and speaking to a support organisation — is the most robust approach.
Where to Get Help
The following organisations offer free, confidential support to anyone affected by problem gambling — whether it is your own or someone else's. No referral is needed.
| Organisation | Contact | What they offer |
|---|---|---|
| BeGambleAware | begambleaware.org | 0808 8020 133 | Advice, self-assessment tools, treatment referrals |
| GamCare | gamcare.org.uk | 0808 8020 133 | National Gambling Helpline, live chat, counselling |
| Gamblers Anonymous | gamblersanonymous.org.uk | Peer support meetings, 12-step programme |
| Gordon Moody | gordonmoody.org.uk | Residential treatment, online therapy |
| NHS Northern Gambling Service | Via NHS referral or self-referral | Clinical treatment, available across England |
The National Gambling Helpline number — 0808 8020 133 — is free to call from any UK phone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Keeping Gambling Safe — Practical Habits
Alongside the formal tools, everyday habits make a meaningful difference:
- Set a budget before you play — decide the maximum you are comfortable losing, not winning, and treat it as the cost of entertainment.
- Never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose — this includes rent, bills or savings.
- Do not chase losses — a bad session does not owe you a good one. The odds do not change because of previous results.
- Take regular breaks — set a timer and step away from the screen, regardless of whether you are winning or losing.
- Avoid gambling when upset, tired or under the influence — decisions made in these states tend to be larger and less considered.
- Keep gambling separate from other areas of life — if it starts affecting relationships or finances, that is a signal to pause.
- Check your history regularly — actual spending is often higher than remembered. Your account's transaction log shows the real figure.
Protecting Children and Young People
Anyone under 18 is not permitted to open a gambling account or place a bet. If you share a device with younger people, take steps to prevent access:
- Log out of all gambling accounts after each session and do not save passwords in a shared browser.
- Use parental control software such as Gamban, Net Nanny or your broadband provider's family filter to block gambling websites at the network level.
- Keep payment cards and account details private.
- Talk openly with young people about how online gambling works, including the role of randomness and the house edge.
About This Site's Editorial Approach
The casinos reviewed and listed on this site — including Cosmobet and the alternatives shown above — are operated under Curaçao or other international licences and are not regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. We disclose this clearly across our pages because it affects what consumer protections apply to you.
Our main casino comparison page covers the licensing position, withdrawal terms and bonus conditions for each option in detail. Our terms and conditions explain the commercial relationships that fund this site, including that we may earn commission from operators we feature. Commission does not determine ranking or editorial position.
If you have a question about anything on this site, you can reach us via the contact page.
Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over only. If gambling is affecting your health, relationships or finances, please contact BeGambleAware or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Help is free and confidential.