Why responsible gambling matters
Gambling should be entertainment, not a necessity. Playing slots, placing bets or spinning a roulette wheel can be enjoyable when it stays within your means and doesn't interfere with other parts of your life. The moment it stops being fun—when you're chasing losses, borrowing money to play, or feeling anxious about your balance—it's time to step back. Fatpirate operates an online platform offering slots, live games, table games and sports betting, and while the operator provides certain control tools, the responsibility to recognise when gambling becomes a problem ultimately rests with you.
In the UK, help is available around the clock, and it's free. No one should feel isolated or ashamed if gambling starts to cause harm. This page explains the warning signs, offers a short self-check, describes the tools Fatpirate makes available, and points you toward organisations that specialise in gambling support.
Warning signs: when gambling gets out of hand
Recognising the early signs can prevent a manageable situation from becoming a crisis. Consider whether any of these apply to you or someone close to you:
- Spending more money or time gambling than you originally planned
- Chasing losses—depositing again immediately after a losing session to try to win it back
- Borrowing money, selling possessions, or using credit to fund gambling
- Neglecting work, family or social commitments because of gambling
- Feeling restless, irritable or anxious when you're not gambling
- Lying to friends or family about how much you gamble or how much you've lost
- Gambling to escape problems, stress or negative emotions
- Finding it difficult or impossible to stop, even when you want to
If several of these feel familiar, it's worth taking the matter seriously. Early intervention makes a real difference.
A few questions to ask yourself
A simple self-assessment can help clarify whether your gambling is still under control. Answer these honestly—they're for you, not anyone else:
- Have you ever felt the need to bet more money to get the same level of excitement?
- Have you tried to cut back or stop gambling and found you couldn't?
- Do you gamble when you're feeling down, anxious or lonely?
- Have you lied to family or friends about the amount of money or time you spend gambling?
- Has gambling caused problems in your relationships, your work or your finances?
- Have you borrowed money or sold anything to finance gambling?
- Do you feel guilty or ashamed after you gamble?
- Have you ever gambled until your last pound was gone?
If you answered yes to several of these, consider reaching out to one of the support organisations listed below. These questions aren't a diagnosis, but they can be a prompt to seek help before things worsen.
Fatpirate's control tools
The operator offers two formal options for players who need to take a break or close their account altogether. Both require you to contact customer support directly.
| Tool | How it works |
|---|---|
| Self-exclusion | Request this by emailing [email protected]. Once processed, you will be locked out of your account for a set period, typically six months or longer, depending on the terms you agree. You won't be able to log in, deposit or place bets during that time. |
| Account closure | Also requested via email to [email protected]. This permanently closes your account. Any remaining balance should be withdrawn beforehand, subject to the usual verification and processing times. |
The operator does not publish deposit limits, session timers or reality-check notifications as part of its responsible gambling toolkit. If you need more granular controls—such as daily deposit caps or reminders of how long you've been playing—consider using third-party blocking software or setting personal limits outside the platform.
Tips for gambling sensibly
If you choose to continue playing, a few straightforward habits can keep gambling in perspective:
- Set a budget before you start—decide what you can afford to lose, and never exceed it.
- Set a time limit—use a timer on your phone and log out when it goes off.
- Never gamble to make money—treat any winnings as a bonus, not income.
- Don't chase losses—accept that losing is part of the game and walk away when your budget is spent.
- Take regular breaks—step away from the screen, especially after a big win or a losing streak.
- Keep gambling separate from other parts of your life—don't gamble when you're upset, tired or under the influence of alcohol.
Good to know: gambling should never feel like an obligation. If it does, that's a clear signal to stop.
Where to find help in the UK
Several organisations offer free, confidential support to anyone affected by gambling harm. You don't need to be in crisis to reach out—getting advice early can prevent a small problem from becoming a larger one.
GamCare
GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 0808 8020 133 (free from UK landlines and mobiles) to speak with a trained adviser. GamCare also offers online chat, forums and a network of face-to-face counselling services across England, Scotland and Wales.
BeGambleAware
BeGambleAware provides information, advice and direct access to the National Gambling Helpline (the same number above, operated in partnership with GamCare). The site also hosts a treatment finder to locate local support services, plus guides for friends and family members concerned about someone else's gambling.
GamStop
GamStop is a free self-exclusion scheme covering all UK-licensed gambling sites. Register once and you'll be blocked from every operator holding a UK Gambling Commission licence. The exclusion lasts for six months, one year or five years, depending on your choice. Fatpirate does not publish a UK Gambling Commission licence, so GamStop will not block access to this particular operator—but if you also use other platforms, registering with GamStop adds an extra layer of protection.
Gordon Moody
Gordon Moody offers residential treatment programmes and online courses for people seriously affected by gambling addiction. The charity has been running for more than 50 years and provides both short-term and extended support, including aftercare once a programme is completed.
Blocking software
If you want to prevent access to gambling sites on your own devices, two widely used tools are:
- Gamban—paid subscription software that blocks gambling sites and apps across computers, tablets and smartphones. It works worldwide and cannot be easily bypassed once installed.
- BetBlocker—free, open-source software available for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It blocks access to thousands of gambling domains and can be configured to include specific sites or categories.
Both tools are updated regularly and run in the background, so you won't see gambling ads or be tempted to visit a site impulsively.
Protecting minors
All gambling on Fatpirate is restricted to persons aged 18 and over (18+). If you share a device or internet connection with someone under 18, take steps to prevent underage access. Most modern routers and operating systems include parental controls, and dedicated software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio can block gambling sites entirely for child accounts. Keep login credentials private, log out after each session, and talk openly with younger household members about the risks of gambling.
If you have questions about the content on this page, or if you'd like to suggest additional resources, write to the editorial team at [email protected]. For questions about your account, deposits, withdrawals or any other operational matter, contact the operator directly via its own support channels.
This page is for information and marketing purposes only. We are not a casino operator, a bookmaker or an organiser of gambling. Access to this content is restricted to persons aged 18 and over (18+). We encourage you to gamble responsibly—for free, confidential support visit BeGambleAware.org.
Last updated: