Responsible gaming at Winrolla
Gambling works as entertainment when it stays under control. At Winrolla, we want every session to feel like a choice, not a compulsion. This page walks through the signs that play is tipping into something harder, the controls we build into every account, and the free UK support waiting when you need it.
Why responsible gambling matters
Money and time spent gambling should never come from what you need for bills, food or commitments. The moment a session feels like a way out of financial pressure rather than a break from it, the balance has shifted. Responsible gambling means recognising that shift early and having the tools ready to act on it.
We set up every account with controls you can adjust yourself. Deposit limits, self-exclusion and account closure all sit in your hands, not ours. The point is to make taking a break as simple as placing a bet.
Behaviour that should worry you
Certain patterns show up before someone admits there is a problem. Recognising them in your own play gives you a head start on fixing it.
- Chasing losses – depositing again to win back what you just lost
- Lying about how much or how often you play
- Borrowing money to gamble, or gambling with money set aside for something else
- Feeling restless or irritable when you try to stop
- Gambling to escape stress, boredom or low mood rather than for fun
- Neglecting work, relationships or responsibilities because of time spent gambling
If two or more of those ring true, it is worth pausing. None of them means you have failed – they mean the habit has outgrown the entertainment, and that is fixable.
Questions worth asking yourself
A short self-check can clarify whether your play is still in balance. Answer honestly – nobody sees this but you.
- Do you gamble with money you cannot afford to lose?
- Have you tried to cut down or stop, and found you could not?
- Do you feel the need to gamble with increasing amounts to get the same thrill?
- Have you lied to family or friends about how much you gamble?
- Has gambling caused arguments or damaged relationships?
- Do you gamble to forget problems or relieve feelings of guilt, anxiety or depression?
- Have you borrowed money or sold possessions to fund gambling?
- After losing, do you feel you must return as soon as possible to win it back?
One or two "yes" answers suggest you are at risk. Three or more, and seeking help now will save you trouble later. The resources at the end of this page cost nothing and stay confidential.
Our control tools
Every account at Winrolla carries controls you can set yourself. We do not ask why you want them – the tools are there, and using them is your call.
Self-exclusion
Email [email protected] to close your account for a fixed period. Once active, self-exclusion cannot be undone early – that is the point. The lock holds until the period you chose runs out, giving you time away from the temptation to log back in.
Account closure
Permanent closure works the same way. Send an email to [email protected] stating you want the account closed. Your balance must be zero or withdrawn first – we void any funds left on an account you close, so clear your balance before asking.
We do not publish deposit limits, time limits or loss limits as account-level settings. If controlling your spend matters, the surest route is setting a limit with your bank or using third-party blocking software – both are covered below.
Practical limits that work
Good intentions fade under pressure. Limits that actually hold are the ones you set before the session starts, not during it.
- Decide the amount before you deposit. Work out what you can afford to lose – genuinely lose, without stress – and deposit only that. Do not top up mid-session.
- Set a timer. Two hours feels short when you are in it, long when you look back. A phone alarm that goes off at a fixed time gives you a natural exit point.
- Never gamble to solve money problems. A win might clear a bill once; a losing streak makes the hole deeper. Debt advice is free through StepChange or Citizens Advice.
- Keep gambling separate from other activities. Playing while working, cooking or watching your children splits your attention and turns gambling into background noise instead of a deliberate choice.
- Take breaks. A day off every week, or a week off every month, keeps the habit from becoming automatic.
Where to get help in the UK
Free, confidential support exists across the UK for anyone whose gambling has stopped feeling like entertainment. You do not need to have hit rock bottom before calling – early help is easier help.
National Gambling Helpline
GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133, open 24 hours a day, every day. The call is free from UK landlines and mobiles, and it does not appear on your phone bill as "gambling helpline" – it shows as a generic 0808 number. Advisers listen, explain your options, and refer you to local services if talking once is not enough. Visit gamcare.org.uk for live chat and email support.
BeGambleAware
BeGambleAware funds treatment services and publishes clear, practical guidance on safer gambling. Their site at begambleaware.org includes a self-assessment tool and a directory of local counselling services. Everything on the site is free to use.
GamStop
GamStop is the UK's free national self-exclusion scheme. Register at gamstop.co.uk and you will be blocked from every UKGC-licensed gambling site for six months, one year or five years – your choice. The block applies across all licensed operators, not just one. GamStop does not stop you playing at unlicensed sites, so pair it with blocking software for fuller coverage.
Gordon Moody
Gordon Moody offers residential treatment for gambling addiction and online support groups. Their services are free to access, funded by donations and grants. Visit gordonmoody.org.uk to learn about their programmes or to request a place.
Blocking software
Two tools block gambling sites at the device level, so the temptation never reaches your screen.
Gamban (gamban.com) is a paid app – around £20 to £50 per year depending on how many devices you cover – that blocks all gambling sites and apps, licensed or not. Once installed, you cannot bypass it without uninstalling, and uninstalling triggers a 24-hour cooling-off period before it lifts. It works on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.
BetBlocker (betblocker.org) does much the same job for free. It blocks gambling sites across all browsers and covers Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux and Amazon Fire tablets. The block lasts for a minimum period you choose – 24 hours up to five years – and cannot be removed early.
Protecting minors
Access to Winrolla is restricted to players aged 18 and over (18+). If you share a device with someone under 18, gambling sites are one risk among many – parental control software such as Net Nanny, Qustodio or the controls built into iOS and Android can block categories of content, set screen-time limits and monitor app use. That approach protects against gambling sites, but also against age-inappropriate social media, video platforms and messaging apps.
We verify age and identity at registration or before the first withdrawal, depending on the account activity. That check catches under-age registrations, but it does not stop a minor using a parent's account if the device is left unlocked. The simplest defence is not saving login details and logging out after every session.
Contact us
Questions about self-exclusion, account closure or any of the controls above can be sent to [email protected]. We respond within 48 hours. For urgent help with problem gambling, the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 answers immediately, any time of day.
This site is for players aged 18 and over (18+). If gambling ever stops feeling like entertainment, free and confidential help is available at BeGambleAware.org.
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