Responsible Gaming

1. Gambling Should Be Entertainment — Not a Way to Earn Money

At abstracthairsalon.co.uk, we believe gambling should always be treated as a form of entertainment — never as a source of income, a way to pay bills, or a solution to financial problems. The outcome of every casino game is determined by chance, and over time the house always has an edge. No strategy, system, or "hot streak" can guarantee winnings.

Please only gamble with money you can comfortably afford to lose. Set a budget before you play, stick to it, and never borrow money to gamble. If gambling stops being fun, it is time to stop.

2. Age Verification — 18+ Only

Gambling is strictly for adults. In Great Britain, you must be 18 years of age or older to gamble legally. Operators licensed for the GB market are required to verify the age and identity of their customers before allowing them to deposit or play.

If you share your device with minors, we strongly recommend:

• Never leaving your casino account logged in unattended.
• Never sharing your passwords, payment cards, or e-wallet details.
• Installing parental control and gambling-blocking software such as Gamban or Net Nanny.

3. Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can affect anyone, regardless of age, income, or background. Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you or someone you care about:

• Chasing losses — gambling more to try to win back money you have lost.
• Hiding or lying about how much time or money you spend gambling.
• Gambling with money meant for rent, bills, food, or other essentials.
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or going into debt to fund gambling.
• Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when you try to cut down or stop.
• Gambling to escape stress, depression, loneliness, or other problems.
• Neglecting work, studies, family, or relationships because of gambling.
• Unsuccessfully trying to cut back, control, or stop gambling.
• Thinking about gambling constantly or planning the next session.

If you recognise several of these signs in yourself, please take them seriously and consider seeking support — the earlier, the better.

4. Self-Help Tools

Reputable gambling operators offer tools to help you stay in control. We encourage you to use them proactively:

• Deposit limits — cap how much money you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Loss limits — set a maximum amount you are willing to lose over a given period.
• Wagering/session limits — restrict how much you can bet or how long you can play.
• Reality checks — on-screen reminders showing how long you have been playing and how much you have spent.
• Time-outs (cooling-off periods) — take a short break from gambling, from 24 hours up to several weeks.
• Self-exclusion — block yourself from gambling for a longer period (6 months, 1 year, 5 years, or permanently). For GB-licensed operators, you can register free of charge with GamStop, which excludes you from all participating UK-licensed sites at once.
• Blocking software — tools such as Gamban or BetBlocker block access to gambling sites and apps across your devices, including offshore operators.

Please note: casinos not covered by GamStop (e.g. Curacao-licensed sites) will not be blocked by a GamStop self-exclusion. If you have self-excluded, we strongly advise you not to seek out such sites, and to use device-level blocking software instead.

5. Support Organisations

Free, confidential, and professional help is available. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, please reach out:

United Kingdom

• GamCare — Free information, advice, and support for anyone affected by problem gambling, including the 24/7 National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133. Website: www.gamcare.org.uk
• GamStop — Free national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling in Great Britain. Website: www.gamstop.co.uk
• Gamblers Anonymous UK — Peer support meetings and a helpline for people who want to stop gambling. Website: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
• BeGambleAware — Information, advice, and signposting to treatment services. Website: www.begambleaware.org

International Support

• Australia: Gambling Help Online — 24/7 free and confidential support. www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
• Canada: Responsible Gambling Council — information and resources on safer gambling. www.responsiblegambling.org
• United States: National Council on Problem Gambling — call or text the national helpline 1-800-GAMBLER. www.ncpgambling.org
• Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) — free and anonymous helpline "Glücksspielsucht": 0800 137 27 00. www.check-dein-spiel.de
• Ireland: Gambling Care — gamblingcare.ie
• New Zealand: Gambling Helpline NZ — www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz

6. If Gambling Is No Longer Fun — Seek Help Today

If you feel that gambling is controlling you rather than the other way around, please don't wait. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. Support is free, confidential, and non-judgemental, and many people who once struggled with gambling have gone on to regain control of their lives.

Take the first step now: call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7 in Great Britain), visit GamCare, or register with GamStop. You are not alone — help is always available.

Last reviewed: 2026. abstracthairsalon.co.uk is committed to promoting responsible gambling and does not encourage anyone under the age of 18, or anyone who has self-excluded, to gamble.