Responsible Gaming

Gambling Should Be Entertainment

At aclepostoffice.co.uk, we believe gambling should only ever be a form of entertainment—not a way to earn money, solve financial problems, or recover debts. Gambling outcomes are uncertain, and losses are always possible.

Only gamble with money you can comfortably afford to lose. Never use money needed for rent, bills, food, or other essentials, and never borrow money to gamble. Set a spending and time budget before you start, and stop when you reach it.

Important for GB players: A Curaçao licence is not a UK Gambling Commission licence. Offshore casinos may not offer GamStop participation, UK-approved dispute resolution, or the same consumer protections as operators licensed in Great Britain. Websites described as “non-GamStop” must never be used to bypass a self-exclusion.

Age Verification

You must be 18 or over to use gambling services promoted on this website. Operators should verify a customer’s age and identity before allowing them to gamble.

Do not provide false information to evade age checks, and do not allow anyone under 18 to gamble through your account. Adults should keep gambling accounts, payment details, and devices secure and consider parental controls where children have access.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Consider the following checklist honestly. These signs do not provide a diagnosis, but any of them can be a reason to stop gambling and seek confidential advice:

• Chasing losses: gambling more to try to win back money you have lost.
• Hiding gambling: lying to family or friends, concealing statements, or being secretive about time or money spent gambling.
• Spending beyond your means: using essential funds, borrowing, using credit, or falling into debt because of gambling.
• Losing control: repeatedly gambling for longer or with more money than intended.
• Difficulty cutting down: making unsuccessful attempts to reduce, pause, or stop gambling.
• Preoccupation: constantly thinking about gambling, planning the next session, or feeling restless when not gambling.
• Increasing risk: needing larger stakes or more frequent gambling to feel the same excitement.
• Gambling to escape: using gambling to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, or other difficult feelings.
• Neglecting responsibilities: gambling affecting work, education, sleep, health, or family commitments.
• Relationship or emotional harm: experiencing arguments, guilt, shame, irritability, anxiety, or distress connected to gambling.

Self-Help Tools

Use safer-gambling tools before gambling becomes difficult to control. Availability varies between operators, and offshore websites may not provide the same protections:

• Deposit limits: set a maximum amount you can deposit over a day, week, or month.
• Loss limits: set a firm limit on how much you are prepared to lose, and never increase it after losing.
• Session limits and reality checks: use reminders showing how long you have been playing and how much you have spent, and take regular breaks.
• Time-outs: take a short break from an account when gambling stops feeling enjoyable or controlled.
• Self-exclusion: block access to gambling for a longer period. For GB-licensed online operators, you can register with GamStop. GamStop does not cover every website, including unlicensed offshore operators.
• Additional blocks: consider gambling-blocking software and ask your bank whether it offers a gambling transaction block.

If you have self-excluded, keep that protection in place. Do not look for alternative casinos or ways around the restriction; contact a support service instead.

Support Organisations for Great Britain

• GamCare — free, confidential information, advice, and support for anyone affected by gambling harm, including friends and family. The National Gambling Helpline can be reached on 0808 8020 133; live chat and other support options are available through the website.
• GamStop — a free service that helps you self-exclude from online gambling companies licensed in Great Britain. Registration can provide an important barrier while you seek further support.
• NHS gambling addiction support — information about gambling addiction, its effects, and routes to treatment and help.
• Gordon Moody — specialist support and treatment for people severely affected by gambling harm, as well as help for affected others.

If Gambling Is Causing You Harm, Seek Help

If gambling is causing debt, distress, relationship problems, or a loss of control, stop gambling and contact GamCare or another support service today. You do not need to wait until the situation becomes a crisis, and support is also available for affected family members and friends. Asking for help is a positive step, not a failure.

If you feel at risk of harming yourself, you can contact Samaritans free on 116 123. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.