Gambling is a cost, not an income.
Every game on every casino — Stake included — is priced so the house keeps an edge. Played long enough, the maths wins. This page is about keeping it a hobby with a price tag, not a problem with momentum.
The ground rules
- Only stake what you can afford to lose — and decide the amount before you open the site, not during.
- Treat every bet as spent the moment you place it. A win is a bonus, never a plan.
- Never chase losses. The next bet carries exactly the same edge as the last one. Yesterday's loss doesn't make today's bet better.
- Set time limits, not just money limits. Tired play is worse play.
- Never gamble borrowed money — or rent, bills, or anything someone else is counting on.
- 18+, no exceptions. If you're underage, close this site.
Use the tools — before you need them
Stake's account settings include deposit, loss and wager limits, session reminders, cool-off periods and full self-exclusion. The honest advice: set a deposit limit on day one, while it's an easy decision — not after a bad week, when it's a hard one.
If you want the decision out of your hands entirely, free blocking software like Gamban or BetBlocker blocks gambling sites across all your devices.
Warning signs worth taking seriously
- Gambling to escape stress, boredom or problems — or to "fix" earlier losses.
- Hiding how much you play, or how much it costs, from people close to you.
- Raising stakes to feel anything at all.
- Betting money that was meant for bills, food or debts.
- Deciding to stop — and not stopping.
If any of these feel familiar, that's the signal. The help below is free and confidential.
Get help — free, confidential
BeGambleAware
Information, self-assessment and the National Gambling Helpline (UK): 0808 8020 133, 24/7.
GamCare
Free support, live chat and structured treatment for anyone affected by gambling — including family.
Gambling Therapy
Worldwide, multilingual online support and a practical app — useful if you're outside the UK.
Gamblers Anonymous
Peer-support meetings around the world, online and in person. It works for a lot of people.
If you're in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact your local emergency services now — gambling can wait, you can't.