Responsible Gaming

At thelittleartcollection.co.uk, we believe that gambling should always remain a form of entertainment — never a way to earn money or solve financial difficulties. The vast majority of people who visit betting sites do so for enjoyment and treat any losses as the cost of that entertainment. However, we recognise that for a small minority, gambling can become problematic. This page is designed to help you understand the risks, recognise the signs, and know where to turn for support.

Age Verification — 18+ Only

In Great Britain, the legal minimum age for all forms of gambling — including online betting sites, casinos, bingo, and lottery products — is 18 years old. It is a criminal offence for anyone under this age to gamble, and all UK-licensed operators are legally required to verify your age and identity before you can deposit or withdraw funds.

If you are under 18, please leave this site immediately. If you are a parent or guardian and are concerned that a young person in your care may be accessing gambling websites, consider installing parental control software or using website blocking tools to restrict access.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can develop gradually, and it can be hard to recognise in yourself. If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, it may be time to take a step back and seek help:

• Do you ever chase your losses — returning to bet more after losing, in the hope of winning your money back?
• Do you hide your gambling from family, friends, or colleagues, or lie about how much time or money you spend?
• Do you feel restless, irritable, or anxious when you try to cut down or stop gambling?
• Do you gamble with money that should be used for essential living costs such as rent, bills, or food?
• Do you borrow money, sell possessions, or take out loans to fund your gambling?
• Has your gambling caused problems in your relationships, work, or studies?
• Do you gamble to escape from stress, anxiety, depression, or other emotional difficulties?
• Do you spend more time thinking about gambling — planning your next bet or reliving past wins — than you would like?
• Do you gamble for longer than you intended, or spend more than you planned?
• Have you tried to stop or cut back in the past, but found yourself returning to gambling anyway?

If any of these signs resonate with you, please remember: you are not alone, and help is available. No one chooses to develop a gambling problem, and there is no shame in seeking support.

Self-Help Tools

All UK-licensed betting sites are required to offer a range of safer gambling tools to help you stay in control. These are free to use and can be activated at any time from within your account settings:

• Deposit Limits: Set a maximum amount you can deposit per day, week, or month. Once a limit is set, it cannot be increased immediately — there is usually a cooling-off period before any increase takes effect.
• Loss Limits: Cap the total amount you can lose over a specified period, helping you avoid chasing losses beyond what you can afford.
• Reality Checks: Receive periodic pop-up reminders while you are playing, showing you how long you have been gambling, how much you have spent, and giving you the option to stop or continue.
• Time-Outs / Cool-Off Periods: Temporarily block yourself from your account for a short period — from 24 hours up to several weeks — giving you space to reassess your gambling.
• Self-Exclusion: Exclude yourself from a specific operator for a set period (usually 6 months to 5 years). During this time, your account will be closed and you will not be able to reopen it.
• GAMSTOP: The UK's free national self-exclusion scheme. Register once at www.gamstop.co.uk and you will be blocked from all UK-licensed gambling websites and apps for a period of 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. This is the single most effective step you can take if you feel your gambling is out of control.

Support Organisations

If you are concerned about your own gambling or that of someone you care about, the following organisations offer free, confidential advice and support. You do not need to be in crisis to reach out — they are there to help at any stage.

United Kingdom

• GamCare — The UK's leading provider of information, advice, and support for anyone affected by problem gambling. They offer a free National Gambling Helpline (available 24/7) on 0808 8020 133, as well as live chat, forums, and free face-to-face counselling. Visit: www.gamcare.org.uk
• GamStop — The free national online self-exclusion scheme for Great Britain. Register online to block yourself from all UK-licensed gambling websites and apps. Visit: www.gamstop.co.uk
• Gamblers Anonymous UK — A fellowship of men and women who share their experience to help others recover from compulsive gambling. Visit: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
• National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) — Free, confidential treatment and support across England, Scotland, and Wales, commissioned by GambleAware. Access via GamCare's helpline or website.

International Support

If you are visiting this site from outside the United Kingdom, please use the most relevant organisation for your country:

• Australia: Gambling Help Online — free, confidential support available 24/7. Visit: www.gamblinghelponline.org.au or call 1800 858 858.
• Canada: Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) — provides resources, prevention programmes, and support across Canadian provinces. Visit: www.responsiblegambling.org
• United States: National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) — the national advocate for problem gamblers and their families. Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER. Visit: www.ncpgambling.org
• Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) — the Federal Centre for Health Education provides information and support on gambling addiction. Visit: www.bzga.de or call the free hotline 0800 1 37 27 00.
• Other countries: Please refer to your local national gambling support organisation. Most countries have a dedicated helpline or online service offering free, confidential support in your own language.

If You Have a Problem, Seek Help

Please do not wait until things feel overwhelming before reaching out. Problem gambling is a recognised mental health condition, and effective, evidence-based treatment is available. Recovery is absolutely possible, and thousands of people in the UK and around the world have rebuilt their lives with the right support.

If you are struggling with your gambling — or if you are worried about a friend or family member — take action today:

• Call the National Gambling Helpline (GamCare) free on 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Register with GamStop at www.gamstop.co.uk to self-exclude from all UK gambling sites.
• Speak to someone you trust — a friend, family member, or your GP. You do not have to face this alone.

Remember: gambling should be fun. If it stops being fun, it is time to stop. Your wellbeing is more important than any bet.