Responsible Gambling

Gambling should stay entertainment – how to keep it that way and where to find free help in the UK.

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1. Understanding problem gambling

Ice Fishing is paid entertainment, like every casino game. Its RTP of 95.17–97.10% means that over time it returns less than is staked, so gambling can never be a way to earn money, pay bills or clear debts.

Problem gambling begins when play starts to cause harm – to your money, health, work, sleep or relationships. It can happen to anyone. Most people gamble without problems, but the risk rises when gambling becomes a way to escape stress, boredom or money worries. Short, fast rounds, as in live game shows, make it easy to play longer and spend more than planned without noticing.

2. Warning signs

Take a step back if you recognise any of these:

You spend more money or time on gambling than you meant to.
You try to win back losses with new deposits or higher stakes.
You borrow money, use savings or sell things to keep playing.
You hide your gambling from family or friends.
You feel restless, anxious or irritable when you are not playing.
Gambling crowds out work, study, sleep or time with people close to you.
You need bigger stakes in Ice Fishing or other games to feel the same excitement.
You have tried to cut down and could not.

3. Tips for playing responsibly

Set a budget before you play and treat it as the cost of entertainment, not an investment.
Decide on a time limit and use a timer.
Play only with money you can afford to lose, and never chase losses.
Keep bets on the rarest outcomes small – Huge Reds in Ice Fishing lands on about one spin in 53, so a budget can run out before it comes.
Do not gamble when stressed, low, tired or after drinking alcohol.
Take regular breaks – rounds of Ice Fishing last about 20 seconds, so time passes faster than it seems.
Keep gambling money separate from money for rent, bills and food.
Watch rounds without betting when you simply want to enjoy the show.

4. Self-exclusion and limits

Licensed online casinos offer tools that help you stay in control: deposit limits, loss limits, session reminders, time-outs and self-exclusion for a set period. Set your limits when you open an account, not after a bad session.

In the UK, GAMSTOP is a free self-exclusion scheme: one registration blocks access to online gambling sites licensed in Great Britain for six months, one year or five years, and it cannot be cancelled early – which is what makes it work. Blocking software such as Gamban or BetBlocker adds another layer on your phone and computer, and many banks let you block gambling payments on your card.

5. Getting help

Free, confidential support is available in the UK:

National Gambling Helpline – run by GamCare, free on 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
GamCare – advice, live chat and counselling for anyone affected by gambling.
BeGambleAware – information, self-assessment tools and routes into treatment.
Gambling Therapy – free online support worldwide, in several languages.
GamAnon – support groups for the families and friends of people with gambling problems.

Your GP can also refer you to NHS gambling clinics for specialist treatment. If you are in crisis or feel unsafe, call Samaritans free on 116 123 or dial 999.

6. Protecting minors

Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over only. If children use your devices:

do not save casino logins or payment details in the browser;
lock devices with a PIN or password;
use parental controls built into your phone, tablet and computer, or dedicated filtering software;
keep cards and e-wallets out of reach;
talk to them about gambling-style features in games and apps and explain the risks.

Licensed casinos check the age of every customer before they can deposit or play for money.

Last updated 2026-11-04