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Responsible Gambling

PokerStars Casino > Responsible Gambling
Last updated: 26/05/2026
Relevance verified: 01/06/2026

Playing Responsibly at PokerStars Casino

Gambling at PokerStars Casino is meant to be an enjoyable pastime. For the vast majority of people, it stays exactly that. But we know that for some players, what starts as entertainment can develop into something harder to manage. This page exists to give you honest information, practical tools, and direct links to support so you can stay in control of your play.

PokerStars Casino operates under a licence issued by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), which sets binding requirements on how we protect our customers. Everything described on this page reflects our obligations under the Gambling Act 2005 and the UKGC’s Social Responsibility Code of Practice, as well as our own commitment to safer gambling.

Understanding Problem Gambling

Problem gambling is recognised as a behavioural condition that can affect anyone, regardless of income, age, or background. It does not always look like losing large sums of money. It can show up as spending more time gambling than intended, chasing losses, borrowing money to fund play, or feeling irritable when not gambling.

Warning Signs to Watch For

The following indicators may suggest that gambling is becoming a problem rather than a pleasure:

  • Gambling with money set aside for bills, rent, food, or other essentials
  • Lying to family members or friends about how much you gamble or how much you have lost
  • Feeling unable to stop or take a break, even when you want to
  • Gambling to recover previous losses rather than for entertainment
  • Neglecting work, study, or family commitments because of gambling
  • Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling activity
  • Feeling anxious, depressed, or irritable when you are not gambling

If any of these resonate with you, or with someone you care about, please read through the tools and support options below.

Your Account Controls

PokerStars Casino gives every registered player access to a full set of account management tools. These are available directly through your account settings and can be applied immediately, without any waiting period in most cases.

Deposit Limits

You can set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits on your account. Once a limit is in place, it takes effect straight away. If you want to increase a limit, a cooling-off period applies before the change becomes active. Reductions take effect immediately. We recommend setting a deposit limit that reflects what you can genuinely afford to spend on gambling each month, treating it the same way you would any other discretionary budget line.

Loss Limits

Loss limits cap the total amount you can lose over a defined period. Like deposit limits, reductions apply instantly while increases require a mandatory delay. This asymmetry is intentional and required by UKGC regulations.

Session Time Limits and Reality Checks

You can set a maximum session length, after which you will be automatically logged out. You can also activate reality check reminders, which send you a pop-up notification at intervals of your choosing (for example, every 30 or 60 minutes) to let you know how long you have been playing and how much you have spent during that session. These prompts are designed to interrupt automatic play and give you a moment to reassess.

Cooling-Off Period

If you feel you need a short break, a cooling-off period temporarily suspends your account for a period you choose, usually between 24 hours and six weeks. During this period, you cannot log in or place any bets. You can request a cooling-off period through your account settings or by contacting our support team.

Self-Exclusion

Self-exclusion is a more serious step, intended for players who feel they cannot gamble safely. When you self-exclude from PokerStars Casino, your account is closed for a minimum period of six months. We are required by law to make this process straightforward and to honour the exclusion for the full duration. We will also take steps to remove you from our marketing lists so you do not receive promotional communications during your exclusion period.

To request self-exclusion, contact our support team directly:

Support is available Sunday to Thursday, 8AM to 4PM. If you need to self-exclude outside these hours, you can also use GamStop (see below), which will apply your exclusion across all UKGC-licensed gambling sites.

GamStop: National Self-Exclusion Scheme

GamStop is the UK’s free national online self-exclusion service. Registering with GamStop applies a single self-exclusion across every gambling website and app licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. This means you do not need to contact each operator separately.

You can register at www.gamstop.co.uk. Exclusions can be set for one year, five years, or permanently.

PokerStars Casino is fully integrated with GamStop. Any player who registers with the scheme will be blocked from accessing their account with us for the duration of their exclusion.

Financial Support Tools

In addition to gambling-specific controls, tools that limit access to funds can be a practical layer of protection.

  • Gamban is software that blocks gambling websites and apps across all your devices. It can be installed on phones, tablets, and computers. Visit gamban.com for details.
  • Monzo, Starling, and other banks allow you to block gambling transactions directly within their apps. Check with your bank or card provider to see whether this option is available to you.
  • Debt support is available free of charge through StepChange Debt Charity if gambling-related financial difficulties have built up.

Support Organisations

Several independent organisations in the UK offer confidential advice and treatment for gambling problems. All of the following services are free to use.

GamCare

GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline and provides counselling, online support, and a peer-to-peer forum. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Gamblers Anonymous UK

Gamblers Anonymous runs peer support meetings across the UK, based on the same 12-step model used by Alcoholics Anonymous. It also runs Gam-Anon, a parallel programme for family members and friends affected by someone else’s gambling.

Gordon Moody

Gordon Moody offers residential treatment programmes and online therapy for people with severe gambling problems. It is considered one of the most intensive treatment options available in the UK.

BeGambleAware

BeGambleAware is a charity funded by the gambling industry that commissions research, education, and treatment services. Their website includes self-assessment tools and a directory of local support services.

NHS Northern Gambling Service

The NHS offers specialist gambling treatment through clinics in England. Referrals can be made by a GP or by self-referral. Treatment is free and includes cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based approaches.

Protecting Young People and Vulnerable Customers

PokerStars Casino does not permit anyone under the age of 18 to register or gamble. We carry out age verification checks during registration and may request additional documentation at any point. Accounts where we cannot confirm the holder is 18 or over are suspended pending verification.

If you share a device with someone under 18, we strongly recommend using parental control software to prevent access to gambling websites. The following tools are widely used in the UK:

We also apply enhanced care to customers who may be at risk of harm due to other vulnerabilities, including mental health difficulties, financial hardship, or bereavement. If you or someone you know is in a vulnerable situation, please contact our support team so we can discuss appropriate account adjustments.

How We Monitor and Interact

In line with UKGC requirements, PokerStars Casino uses a combination of automated systems and human review to identify gambling patterns that may indicate a customer is experiencing harm. These systems look at factors including the frequency and volume of play, changes in betting behaviour, and account activity during unusual hours.

If our systems flag an account for review, a member of our safer gambling team may reach out to check in with you. This is not an accusation of wrongdoing. It is a routine part of our duty of care, and we treat all such conversations with complete confidentiality.

We are required by the UKGC to conduct customer interaction in a timely and meaningful way. We take this obligation seriously and train our staff accordingly.

Affordability and Spending Checks

As part of the UK Gambling Commission’s updated player protection framework, PokerStars Casino may conduct financial risk assessments on accounts that reach defined spending thresholds. These checks are designed to identify customers who may be gambling beyond their means.

In some cases, we may ask for documentation to verify that your gambling activity is within your financial means. This is a regulatory requirement and not something we can waive. We appreciate that this may feel intrusive, but it is a meaningful safeguard and not a routine check for the majority of players.

Keeping Gambling in Perspective

Gambling at PokerStars Casino should be one leisure activity among many, not a primary source of income or a way to manage stress. Outcomes in casino games are determined by random number generators (RNGs), which means no strategy, system, or betting pattern can reliably change the house edge over time. The longer any session continues, the more likely the mathematical outcome is to reflect the game’s return-to-player (RTP) percentage.

A few principles that responsible players tend to follow:

  • Only gamble with money you can afford to lose entirely
  • Set a budget before you start and stick to it regardless of whether you are winning or losing
  • Take regular breaks and avoid gambling when tired, stressed, or under the influence of alcohol
  • Do not treat gambling as a way to earn money or to recover previous losses
  • Balance gambling with other social activities and hobbies

Contact Us

If you have questions about any of the tools or support options on this page, or if you want to set a limit or request self-exclusion, our support team is here to help.

You can also visit our Contact Us page for further options.

When gambling stops being fun, it’s time to stop. Help is always available.

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