Responsible Gambling

We want gambling with us to remain safe, controlled and enjoyable. Before you start, decide what you can afford to spend and treat that amount as the cost of entertainment. Gambling should not be used as a source of income, a way to repay debts or a solution to financial or personal difficulties.

Only gamble with money you can afford to lose. Your gambling budget should take account of household costs, existing financial commitments and other responsibilities. Do not use money needed for rent, bills, food, travel or essential care. Never increase your budget to chase losses or try to recover money you have already lost.

• Gambling with us is for people aged 18 and over only.
• Take regular breaks and avoid gambling when you are tired, upset, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or trying to win back losses.
• Never borrow money, use another person’s payment method or sell possessions to fund gambling.
• Keep gambling separate from everyday spending and check that your activity remains within the budget you set.
• Talk to someone you trust if gambling is becoming difficult to control.
• Do not gamble to escape stress, sadness, loneliness, anger or other difficult feelings.

We may ask for information to verify your age, identity and payment activity. These checks help us protect your account, prevent underage gambling and support the safe operation of our services. Provide accurate information and keep your account details private.

Your account includes controls that can help you manage deposits, losses, playing time and reminders. The available options, settings and conditions are shown in your account. Use these tools before gambling or whenever you feel your habits are changing.

How to switch on a control

1. Sign in to your account and open the safer gambling, responsible gambling or account controls area.
2. Choose the control you want to use, such as a deposit limit, loss limit, session limit, time-out, self-exclusion or reality check.
3. Select the amount, period or reminder setting that suits your budget and intended play.
4. Read the information shown about when the setting starts, how it affects your account and whether it can be changed.
5. Confirm the setting and make sure the confirmation is visible in your account. If you are unsure whether it is active, contact us before continuing to gamble.

Deposit limits

A deposit limit sets the maximum amount you can add to your account over the period selected in the account controls. It can help you keep gambling within a planned budget and prevent an impulsive increase in spending. Set a limit based on what you can genuinely afford, rather than on what you hope to win.

Loss and session limits

A loss limit can help restrict the amount you lose during the period shown in your account. A session limit can help you manage how long you spend gambling. These controls are different: one focuses on money and the other focuses on time. Consider using both if you want a broader plan for your play.

Time-outs

A time-out temporarily prevents you from gambling for the period you select. Use one if you need space, notice that you are playing for longer than intended or want to step away before making another deposit. A time-out is not a substitute for professional support, but it can provide a useful pause while you decide what to do next.

Self-exclusion

Self-exclusion is a stronger step for anyone who wants to stop gambling with us for a chosen period or until further notice. Follow the instructions in your account carefully and do not try to open another account or use another person’s account. If you want to stop gambling more broadly, ask about the national self-exclusion support available to you.

Reality checks

Reality checks provide reminders about how long you have been playing and may prompt you to pause. Use them to create regular points at which you step away, consider your spending and decide whether to continue. A reminder is most useful when you respond to it honestly rather than dismissing it automatically.

Problem gambling can develop gradually, and you may not notice the change immediately. Consider your behaviour honestly. One or more of the following signs may mean that gambling is causing harm or becoming difficult to control:

• You spend more time or money gambling than you planned.
• You increase your stakes or deposits to try to win back money you have lost.
• You feel restless, irritable or anxious when you cannot gamble.
• You think about gambling often or find it difficult to concentrate on other things.
• You hide gambling, deposits, losses or account activity from people close to you.
• You borrow money, miss payments or use essential funds to gamble.
• You cancel plans, miss work or neglect family and other responsibilities because of gambling.
• You continue gambling after it has caused arguments, financial difficulty or emotional distress.
• You gamble to escape sadness, stress, loneliness, anger or other difficult feelings.
• You have tried to stop, reduce your play or set a budget but have not been able to keep it.

If any of these points apply to you, stop gambling and use the controls in your account. Speak openly with someone you trust and contact a specialist support organisation. You do not need to wait for a serious financial loss before asking for help.

Specialist organisations can provide confidential information, practical guidance and support for people affected by gambling, including family members and friends. You can contact them whether you gamble online, in person or both.

• GambleAware provides information and support to help people understand gambling harms and take steps towards safer gambling.
• GamCare offers confidential advice, guidance and support to people affected by gambling, as well as to those close to them.
• GamStop is a national self-exclusion service that can help you block access to participating online gambling accounts for a selected period.
• The National Gambling Helpline provides confidential support and information for people who are worried about their own gambling or someone else’s gambling.

You may also wish to speak with your GP, a qualified counsellor, a debt adviser or a trusted person. Telling someone what is happening can make it easier to stop, protect your finances and make a plan for the next step.

If you need help using one of our account controls, contact us through the live chat on the site or email support@goldriverstar-casino.co.uk. We can explain the options available in your account, but we cannot provide medical, financial or counselling advice.

Our services are for people aged 18 and over. We use age and identity verification measures to help prevent underage access. You must not allow another person to use your account, and you should keep your password, payment details and device access secure.

• Do not save your account password where a child or young person can see it.
• Use a separate account profile or password on shared devices where possible.
• Keep payment cards, banking applications and other payment methods out of reach.
• Log out after using your account, especially on a shared computer, tablet or mobile device.
• Do not leave a gambling session open or allow children to watch or take part.
• Consider parental control software and device restrictions that can block gambling content or limit access to websites and applications.
• Check the age settings, privacy settings and purchase controls on devices used by children.

Parental control software can help reduce access, but it is not a complete substitute for supervision. Use strong passwords, keep software up to date and speak with children about online safety and why gambling is not suitable for anyone under 18.

If you think a child or young person has accessed your account or used a payment method without permission, contact us through live chat or at support@goldriverstar-casino.co.uk as soon as possible. We may need to restrict the account and ask for information to protect it.