Table of Contents
Gambling should always be entertainment — never a financial strategy or escape. Your wellbeing is our priority.
Our Commitment
StakesBook is an affiliate website that reviews and compares online casinos and sportsbooks. We only recommend operators that hold valid gambling licences and provide responsible gambling tools to their players.
We actively discourage gambling beyond one’s means and are committed to raising awareness about problem gambling and available support services.
⚠ Important: Gambling is not a way to make money. Never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose. If gambling is causing problems in your life, please seek help immediately.
Understanding the Risks
All forms of gambling involve financial risk. Understanding these facts helps keep gambling in perspective:
- Every casino game has a built-in house edge — the operator always has a mathematical advantage
- Past results never influence future outcomes (the gambler’s fallacy)
- Chasing losses nearly always leads to greater losses
- Gambling under the influence of alcohol or strong emotions significantly increases risk
- Online gambling’s 24/7 availability makes it harder to self-regulate
Problem Gambling Self-Assessment
Ask yourself the following questions honestly. If you answer YES to one or more, we strongly encourage you to seek professional support:
- Do you gamble with money reserved for rent, bills, or food?
- Do you need to bet larger amounts to feel the same excitement?
- Have you tried and failed to cut back or stop gambling?
- Do you feel anxious or irritable when you try to stop?
- Do you gamble to escape stress, anxiety, or depression?
- Do you return to gamble after losing to “win it back”?
- Have you lied to family or friends about your gambling?
- Has gambling negatively affected your relationships or work?
Responsible Gambling Tools
Licensed casinos are required to offer players tools to control their gambling. Use them proactively — not reactively:
| Tool | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Deposit Limits | Cap how much money you can deposit per day, week, or month. |
| Loss Limits | Stop play automatically once you reach a defined loss threshold. |
| Session Time Limits | Automatic logout after a set duration of play. |
| Reality Checks | Periodic reminders showing your session time and net balance. |
| Cool-Off / Time-Out | Pause your account for 24 hours to 6 weeks. |
| Self-Exclusion | Permanently or long-term block yourself from the platform. |
| GamStop (UK) | Exclude yourself from all UK-licensed gambling sites simultaneously. |
Tips for Staying in Control
- Set a budget before playing and stick to it no matter what
- Treat gambling as entertainment, not as a way to earn money
- Only use money you can afford to lose
- Never gamble when emotional, tired, or under the influence of substances
- Take regular breaks and set session time limits
- Keep gambling balanced alongside other hobbies and social activities
- Never chase losses — accept them as the cost of entertainment
Help & Support Organisations
Free, confidential support is available 24/7. You don’t have to face this alone:
GamCare
UK’s leading gambling support charity.
gamcare.org.uk | 0808 8020 133
BeGambleAware
Free help, advice and treatment referrals.
begambleaware.org
GamStop
Free UK self-exclusion across all licensed operators.
gamstop.co.uk
Gamblers Anonymous
Global peer support for problem gamblers.
gamblersanonymous.org
Gordon Moody
Residential & online treatment programmes.
gordonmoody.org.uk
Gambling Therapy
International online support, multiple languages.
gamblingtherapy.org
Protecting Minors
StakesBook is strictly for adults aged 18+. We recommend parental control tools to prevent minors from accessing gambling content:
- Gamban — device-level gambling blocking
- Net Nanny — comprehensive parental controls
- BetFilter — dedicated gambling site blocker
- Questions? Contact us
