Our Commitment to Safe Gambling
At OnlineCraps.co.uk, we believe that gambling should always be an enjoyable form of entertainment — never a source of stress, financial hardship, or personal difficulty. We are firmly committed to promoting responsible gambling and providing our readers with the information and resources they need to stay in control.
Whether you play craps online or at a land-based casino, the principles of responsible gambling apply equally. This page outlines practical advice, warning signs to watch for, and where to find professional support if you or someone you know needs help.
Responsible Gambling Guidelines
Set a Budget and Stick to It
Before you start playing, decide how much money you can afford to lose. This should be money set aside for entertainment — never money you need for bills, rent, food, or other essentials. Once your budget is spent, stop playing. Most reputable UK casinos offer deposit limit tools that help you enforce your budget automatically.
Set Time Limits
It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re engrossed in a game. Set an alarm or use the reality check features offered by UK-licensed casinos. These tools send periodic notifications reminding you how long you’ve been playing and how much you’ve spent.
Never Chase Losses
Chasing losses — increasing your bets to try to recover money you’ve lost — is one of the most common and dangerous patterns in problem gambling. Accept that losses are part of gambling. If you’ve reached your budget, walk away.
Don’t Gamble Under the Influence
Alcohol and drugs impair judgement and decision-making. If you choose to drink while gambling, be aware that it may lead to poor decisions and overspending. Many experienced players avoid alcohol entirely when playing.
Understand the Odds
Every casino game, including craps, has a built-in house edge. This means the casino will always have a mathematical advantage over time. No strategy can overcome the house edge in the long run. Understanding this helps set realistic expectations and prevents the dangerous belief that you can consistently “beat the system”.
Take Regular Breaks
Step away from the screen regularly. Continuous play increases fatigue and can lead to poor decision-making. Even a five-minute break can help you reassess whether you’re still playing for fun.
Keep Gambling Separate from Daily Life
Gambling should never interfere with your work, relationships, or daily responsibilities. If it does, it may be time to reassess your gambling habits.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can develop gradually. If you recognise any of the following signs in yourself or someone you know, it may be time to seek help:
- Spending more money or time on gambling than you intended
- Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when not gambling
- Chasing losses or increasing bets to recapture the excitement
- Lying to family, friends, or colleagues about your gambling
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
- Neglecting work, family, or personal responsibilities because of gambling
- Using gambling as an escape from stress, anxiety, or depression
- Feeling guilty or ashamed about your gambling behaviour
- Being unable to stop or reduce gambling despite wanting to
- Continuing to gamble despite negative consequences to finances, relationships, or health
If any of these resonate with you, please reach out to one of the support organisations listed below. There is no shame in asking for help.
Self-Exclusion Tools
UK-licensed casinos are required to offer self-exclusion options. These tools are powerful ways to take control:
GAMSTOP — National Self-Exclusion Scheme
GAMSTOP is the UK’s free national online self-exclusion scheme. When you register with GAMSTOP, you will be excluded from all online gambling companies licensed in Great Britain for a period of your choice: 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. During this period, gambling companies must take reasonable steps to prevent you from accessing their services.
Casino-Level Self-Exclusion
Every UKGC-licensed casino offers its own self-exclusion and cooling-off options. You can typically find these in your account settings or by contacting customer support. Options usually include temporary time-outs (24 hours, 7 days, 30 days) and permanent self-exclusion.
Deposit Limits, Loss Limits, and Session Limits
Most UK casinos allow you to set daily, weekly, or monthly limits on deposits, losses, and session duration. We strongly recommend using these tools even if you do not consider yourself at risk — they provide a valuable safety net.
Support Organisations
The following UK organisations provide free, confidential support for anyone affected by problem gambling:
BeGambleAware
begambleaware.org
Freephone: 0808 8020 133 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
BeGambleAware provides information, advice, and support for anyone affected by gambling. Their helpline is free, confidential, and available around the clock. They also offer a live chat service on their website.
GamCare
gamcare.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 8020 133
GamCare provides counselling, advice, and practical help for anyone harmed by gambling. They offer one-to-one counselling (face-to-face, online, and by phone), group therapy, and a network of treatment centres across the UK. Their NetLine live chat service is also available via their website.
GAMSTOP
gamstop.co.uk
The free national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling in Great Britain. Register once and you’ll be excluded from all UKGC-licensed online gambling sites.
Gambling Therapy
gamblingtherapy.org
An international service offering free practical advice, emotional support, and counselling for anyone affected by problem gambling. They provide online support groups, one-to-one chat, and email support.
Citizens Advice
citizensadvice.org.uk
If gambling has caused financial difficulties, Citizens Advice can help with debt management, budgeting, and understanding your rights.
Samaritans
Tel: 116 123 (free, 24/7)
If gambling problems are causing you severe distress or you’re having thoughts of self-harm, the Samaritans are available 24 hours a day for confidential emotional support.
Responsible Gambling for Craps Players
Craps is one of the more exciting casino games, and the social atmosphere — whether live or online — can make it particularly easy to get caught up in the moment. Here are some craps-specific tips:
- Stick to low house edge bets — Pass Line (1.41%) and Don’t Pass (1.36%) bets give you the best odds. Avoid proposition bets (house edges of 11-16%) which drain your bankroll faster.
- Use our free games to practise — Before playing with real money, use the free craps games on our site to understand the game mechanics, test strategies, and build confidence without any financial risk.
- Set a loss limit per session — Decide before each session the maximum you’re willing to lose, and stop immediately when you reach that limit.
- Remember the maths — No betting system can overcome the house edge over time. Systems like Martingale can lead to catastrophic losses. Play for entertainment, not profit.
Our Responsibility
OnlineCraps.co.uk takes responsible gambling seriously. We:
- Only recommend casinos that hold valid UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licences
- Display responsible gambling messaging on every page featuring casino content
- Provide links to support organisations throughout our site
- Never target our content at individuals under 18
- Present gambling as entertainment, never as a way to make money or solve financial problems
- Ensure our strategy guides include honest information about house edges and the mathematical reality of casino games
If gambling is no longer fun, it’s time to stop.
18+ Only. Please gamble responsibly.
BeGambleAware: begambleaware.org — 0808 8020 133