Responsible gambling at Castle
We want your time with Castle to stay enjoyable. Gambling works best as occasional entertainment, not as something you rely on or feel you need to do. This page sets out the control tools we offer, the warning signs worth watching for, and where to turn if you need support.
Why this matters
Most players enjoy slots, live games and table games without difficulty. A smaller group find that what started as entertainment turns into something harder to manage — chasing losses, playing longer than intended, or using money set aside for other commitments.
Recognising that shift early makes a real difference. The tools and resources on this page exist for exactly that moment, and using them is not an admission of failure — it is taking control before a problem grows.
Signs gambling is getting out of hand
These behaviours are concrete, not vague feelings. If you recognise more than one or two, it is worth pausing:
- Depositing more than you planned to, or returning after telling yourself you would stop
- Borrowing money to play, or using funds meant for rent, bills or groceries
- Lying to family or friends about how much time or money you spend on gambling
- Chasing losses — playing longer or betting more to win back what you have already lost
- Neglecting work, responsibilities or relationships because you are gambling or thinking about it
- Feeling anxious, irritable or restless when you try to cut down or stop
None of these means you are beyond help. They mean it is time to act.
Questions worth asking yourself
A short self-check, answered honestly, can clarify whether your play is still within your control:
- Do you gamble longer than you intended?
- Have you tried to stop or cut down, and found you could not?
- Does gambling interfere with your work, sleep or relationships?
- Do you gamble to escape worry, guilt or low mood?
- Have you lied to cover up how much you gamble?
- Have you borrowed money or sold possessions to fund gambling?
- Do you feel restless or irritable when you try to stop?
- Have you risked or lost an important relationship, job or opportunity because of gambling?
Two or more "yes" answers suggest gambling is affecting your life in ways worth addressing. The support resources below are free and confidential.
Our control tools
We provide a self-exclusion feature through your account Settings. When you request self-exclusion, your account enters a 24-hour cool-down period immediately. During this time you cannot deposit, play with money or use the chat facility.
At the end of the cool-down, you can extend the exclusion for one day, one week, one month, three months or an indefinite period. If you select the indefinite option, you will not be permitted to log back in for at least three months.
Before selecting an extension period, you must withdraw all funds from your account. If you do not, you forfeit all deposits and winnings. This rule is strict and applies to every extension length.
Self-exclusion is designed to give you a break when you need one. It is not a punishment — it is a boundary you set for yourself.
Practical limits that work
These steps take less than a minute each and make it harder to play beyond your means:
- Set a fixed amount you can afford to lose each week or month, and deposit only that — never more
- Use a separate bank account or e-wallet for gambling, with a balance you top up in advance
- Set a timer on your phone and stop when it goes off, whether you are ahead or behind
- Never gamble when you are tired, upset or under the influence of alcohol
- Keep a simple record — how much you deposited, how long you played — and review it weekly
- Tell someone you trust what your limits are, so they can check in with you
No single measure solves everything, but together they create friction that gives you time to think before you act.
Where to get help in the UK
Free, confidential support is available whether you are worried about your own gambling or someone else's:
| Organisation | What they offer | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| National Gambling Helpline | Free 24/7 phone support, webchat, referrals to local services | 0808 8020 133 (free) or gamcare.org.uk |
| BeGambleAware | Information, self-assessment tools, treatment finder | begambleaware.org |
| GamStop | Free national self-exclusion across all UK-licensed sites | gamstop.co.uk |
| Gordon Moody | Residential treatment and online therapy for gambling addiction | gordonmoody.org.uk |
GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline and offers one-to-one support, group therapy and online forums. BeGambleAware provides self-help materials and a directory of treatment services across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
GamStop is a free service that blocks access to gambling sites for six months, one year or five years. Once you register, every UK-licensed operator is required to refuse you access for the period you choose. It covers casino, sports betting, bingo and lottery sites.
Blocking software
Two tools let you block gambling sites and apps across all your devices:
- Gamban (gamban.com) — paid subscription, blocks tens of thousands of gambling sites and apps on computers, phones and tablets
- BetBlocker (betblocker.org) — free, open-source, works on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS
Both run in the background and are difficult to remove once installed, which is the point. They cover sites you might not think to add to a manual block list.
Protecting minors
You must be 18 or over (18+) to register, deposit or play at Castle. If you share a device with anyone under 18, parental-control software such as Net Nanny, Qustodio or the controls built into iOS and Android can block gambling sites and apps at the operating-system level.
Keep your account password private, and log out when you finish a session. A browser left logged in is all it takes for someone underage to access your account.
Contact us
For questions about self-exclusion or account controls, email [email protected]. For free confidential help with gambling, the National Gambling Helpline is available 24/7 on 0808 8020 133.
Gambling should be entertainment, not a chore. If it stops feeling that way, the resources on this page are here to help you regain control.
This site is for players aged 18 and over (18+). If gambling ever stops being enjoyable, free and confidential support is available at BeGambleAware.org.
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