Playing casino games and betting on sport at Firescatters is meant to stay something you choose to do for enjoyment, not something that starts choosing for you. This page sets out what that means in practice — the tools available on your account, the behaviours worth watching for in yourself, and where to get free, confidential help if gambling in the UK ever stops feeling like entertainment. It applies to everyone using the site, and it's written for players aged 18 and over (18+) only.
Why responsible gambling matters
Gambling can be an enjoyable way to spend time, but it carries real financial risk and it is never a way to fix money problems or build financial security. We say this plainly because it's easy to lose sight of when a session runs long or a losing run feels close to turning. Treat any bonus, spin or bet as the cost of entertainment, not as an investment with an expected return.
Signs gambling is getting out of hand
Some patterns are worth noticing early, before they become harder to change:
- Chasing losses by depositing again shortly after a losing session
- Spending longer or more than you'd planned, repeatedly rather than occasionally
- Borrowing money, selling things, or using bill money to fund play
- Hiding the amount of time or money spent from people close to you
- Feeling irritable, anxious or low when you try to cut back
- Gambling to escape stress rather than for its own sake
Questions worth asking yourself
None of these diagnose anything on their own, but a run of "yes" answers is worth taking seriously:
- Have you tried to cut back on gambling and found it harder than expected?
- Do you gamble to escape worry or low mood rather than for enjoyment?
- Have you lied to anyone about how much time or money you spend gambling?
- Have you borrowed money or sold something to fund gambling?
- Does losing make you want to gamble again soon after, to win it back?
- Has gambling caused arguments with family, friends or a partner?
- Do you find yourself thinking about gambling when you're doing something else?
- Have you neglected work, study or family responsibilities because of gambling?
Firescatters' control tools
If you need to step back, you can request a self-exclusion through our support team. Once confirmed, it locks the account for 30 days from the blocking date — a fixed period designed to give you a genuine break rather than a same-day opt-back-in. We don't currently publish a set of adjustable deposit, loss or session-time limits inside the account itself, so if you want that kind of day-to-day control, the third-party blocking software below fills that gap independently of any single operator.
Blocking software
Gamban (gamban.com) blocks gambling sites and apps across your devices once installed, regardless of which operator you try to reach. BetBlocker (betblocker.org) does much the same and is free, with no time limit on how long you can keep it running.
Practical limits that work
- Decide the amount you're willing to lose before you start, and treat it as spent the moment you deposit it
- Set a time limit for a session and use a phone alarm rather than relying on willpower alone
- Avoid depositing again straight after a loss — leave it until the next day
- Never use money set aside for bills, rent or essentials
- Keep gambling separate from alcohol, which affects judgement about stakes and time
Where to get help in the UK
If any of the above sounds familiar, free and confidential support is available and it doesn't require you to have a Firescatters account to use it. GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, free and open 24/7. BeGambleAware offers information and support tools, and GamStop is the UK's national self-exclusion scheme, letting you block yourself from all UK-facing gambling sites at once for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. For residential or more intensive treatment, Gordon Moody is worth contacting directly.
Protecting minors
Firescatters is restricted to players aged 18 and over (18+). If a computer, tablet or phone in your household is shared with anyone under that age, consider parental-control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio to keep gambling sites out of reach entirely, rather than relying on account settings alone.
If you'd like to talk to us about anything on this page, our team is reachable at [email protected].
Gambling should be entertainment, not a chore.
Access to this site is restricted to persons aged 18 and over (18+). We want your play to stay enjoyable — for free, confidential support, visit BeGambleAware.org.