Back your team. Not with the rent.
Betting should be a small part of matchday, never a way to make money, cover bills or win back what you’ve lost. This page explains how to stay in control, the traps that catch football fans, and where to get free help.
Need to talk to someone now?
If gambling is causing problems for you or someone close to you, free, confidential support is available any time, day or night. You don’t have to be in crisis to call, and you don’t have to give your name.
First things firstWho we are, and who we aren’t
Footballmine is a football site, not a bookmaker. We don’t take bets, hold your money or run gambling accounts, and we can’t set limits or close accounts for you. Your bookmaker does that, and every bookmaker licensed in Great Britain is required to offer the tools listed further down this page.
We write football betting previews and bookmaker reviews, and we earn commission when readers open accounts through some of our links. Our ratings and previews aren’t changed by commission. We only link to operators licensed by the Gambling Commission to offer gambling in Great Britain, and our content is for adults aged 18 and over only.
Be honest. How’s it going?
These are common signs that betting is becoming a problem. It isn’t a medical test and it doesn’t give a diagnosis. It’s a moment to be straight with yourself.
Tick any that have happened in the last few months.
Nothing you tick is stored or sent anywhere.
House rules for puntersSix rules for matchday
- 01
Budget before kick-off
Decide what you can afford to lose before you look at a single price, and treat it as money spent, like a ticket or a pint.
- 02
Never chase
A losing weekend is the cost of the entertainment. Trying to win it back is how small losses become big ones.
- 03
Set limits on day one
Put a deposit limit on every account the day you open it. Lowering a limit takes effect straight away; raising one has a cooling-off wait.
- 04
Not after a few pints
Drink, anger or a bad week at work all lead to bets you wouldn’t place sober and calm. If you’re wound up, sit it out.
- 05
Heart isn’t a strategy
Backing your own club feels right. That doesn’t make it a good bet, and losing money on top of losing the game is a rotten Saturday.
- 06
Keep the receipts
Check your account history every month. If the total surprises you, that’s your sign to cut back or take a break.
“Bookmakers build a margin into every price. Over a season, most punters lose.“
Know the trapsWhere football fans get caught out
- The big accaEvery leg you add multiplies the odds and the chance of losing. Five teams at evens gives a 31/1 price, but only about a one-in-32 chance before the bookmaker’s margin. Big accas are fun for small stakes and nothing more.
- In-play bettingLive markets move fast and there’s always another bet a minute later. It’s the easiest way to spend more than you meant to on a single afternoon. Decide in advance whether you’ll bet in-play at all.
- Cash outCash out usually pays less than a bet’s true value. Repeatedly cashing out and re-betting can quietly add up to a lot of money staked.
- Boosts & bonusesA boosted price or acca bonus improves the payout, but it doesn’t make the outcome any more likely. Don’t add legs or raise stakes just to qualify for a promotion.
- “Locks” & insider tipsNo football result is certain. Anyone selling “guaranteed” or “fixed” tips is not telling you the truth. Footballmine will never call a bet a lock.
Stay in controlThe tools that help
Deposit limits
Every GB-licensed bookmaker must let you cap how much you deposit each day, week or month. Find it in your account settings under responsible or safer gambling.
Time-outs & reality checks
Take a short break from your account, or set reminders showing how long you’ve been logged in.
Self-exclusion
Close your account with a bookmaker for six months or more. During that time it must not let you bet or send you marketing.
GAMSTOP
One free sign-up excludes you from every online gambling site licensed in Great Britain, for six months, one year or five years. gamstop.co.uk
Bank gambling blocks
Many UK banks and card providers let you block gambling transactions in their app. Check your banking app’s card settings or ask your bank.
Blocking software
Apps such as Gamban and the free BetBlocker can block gambling websites and apps on your phone and computer.
Free, confidential supportWhere to get help
National Gambling Helpline
Free, confidential advice from trained advisers, any time, run by GamCare. They can also refer you to free treatment near you.
Call 0808 8020 133GamCare
Information, an online forum, group chat and free one-to-one support for anyone affected by gambling, including family and friends.
gamcare.org.ukGamblers Anonymous
Free local and online meetings with people who understand. GamAnon offers meetings for family members and friends.
gamblersanonymous.org.ukNHS gambling support
The NHS runs specialist gambling clinics across England. Search “NHS gambling addiction” for referral details, or speak to your GP.
nhs.ukStepChange & Citizens Advice
Free, impartial debt advice if gambling has left you with money problems. Don’t borrow to bet or to cover losses.
stepchange.orgBeGambleAware
Information and self-help tools. The charity behind it, GambleAware, closed in March 2026, and the website is being kept live by the government during the move to new NHS-led services.
begambleaware.orgIf you’re finding things really hard and are struggling to cope, you can talk to Samaritans any time, free, on 116 123.
Family & friendsWorried about someone else?
Gambling problems affect partners, children, parents and mates too. Signs include unexplained money worries, borrowing, secrecy around phones and accounts, and mood swings tied to results. Pick a calm moment, talk about what you’ve noticed rather than blaming, and look after yourself as well.
GamCare and the National Gambling Helpline support affected others as well as gamblers, and GamAnon runs meetings for family and friends. You don’t need the other person’s permission to get help for yourself.
Under 18sGambling is for adults only
It’s illegal for anyone under 18 to gamble in Great Britain, and bookmakers must verify your age before you can bet. Footballmine’s betting content is for adults only, and we don’t knowingly target anyone under 18. If you’re a parent, the parental controls on phones, tablets and browsers can block gambling sites, and many bank cards for young people block gambling transactions by default.
Our promiseHow Footballmine keeps it responsible
- We label all commercial content clearly with #AD and show the key terms next to every offer.
- We only link to bookmakers licensed by the Gambling Commission to offer gambling in Great Britain.
- We never call a bet a “lock” or “guaranteed”, and we never use pressure such as “last chance” or “don’t miss out”.
- Every Fan Verdict says what could go wrong, and sometimes our verdict is “no bet”.
- Prices are dated so you know when we checked them, and you’re told to check the live price before betting.
- Commission never changes a bookmaker rating or a preview.
- Our content is for over-18s, and we don’t knowingly target under-18s or people who’ve self-excluded.
Seen something on Footballmine you think falls short of this? Email us at [CONTACT EMAIL] and we’ll look at it.
Advertising & affiliate disclosure: Footballmine contains affiliate links and may receive commission if you open an account through them. Footballmine is not a gambling operator and does not accept bets. 18+ only. Free, confidential support 24/7: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133. This page is general information, not medical or financial advice.
