Responsible Gaming

Gambling should always be a form of entertainment, never a way to make money or solve financial problems. On stersports.com, operated for Star Sports customers in the UK under licences issued by the UK Gambling Commission, responsible gaming means making informed, conscious decisions about when, how and how much you bet. This page explains the tools, information and support available so that you stay in control of your play, recognise risks early and know where to turn if gambling stops being fun.

Star Sports is committed to protecting customers, including those using our retail premises, by complying with UK law, UK Gambling Commission social responsibility rules and industry best practice. If you are concerned about your own gambling or that of someone close to you, our teams and specialist independent organisations are available to provide confidential, professional support.

Risk Awareness

Understanding the risks of gambling is the first step towards staying in control. Gambling can become harmful gradually, and early warning signs are not always obvious. Please consider whether any of the following apply to you:

• You gamble more frequently, for longer periods, or with larger stakes than you originally planned.
• You often think about betting or casinos when you are at work, studying, with family or engaged in other activities.
• You chase losses by increasing stakes or returning quickly after a loss to try to win money back.
• You gamble with money you cannot comfortably afford to lose, such as funds needed for bills, rent, debts or everyday living.
• You hide or minimise the extent of your gambling from family, friends or colleagues, or feel guilty or anxious after gambling.
• You borrow money, sell possessions or use multiple payment methods and accounts to continue gambling.
• You feel irritable, restless or low when you are unable to gamble, or use gambling as an escape from stress, depression or other problems.

Only you can judge honestly whether gambling is having a negative impact on your life. A brief self-check can help you reflect:

• Do I ever spend more time or money on gambling than I intended?
• Do I gamble to escape problems, relieve boredom or improve my mood?
• Have I lied to anyone important to me about how much I gamble or how much I lose?
• Have my gambling habits caused arguments, financial pressure or missed responsibilities?
• Have I tried to cut down or stop gambling and found it difficult?

If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, we strongly encourage you to use the safer gambling tools described below and to contact one of the support organisations listed in this page for confidential, professional help.

Limits & Tools

To support safe play, stersports.com provides a range of tools that allow you to set clear boundaries around your gambling. These tools are available to all eligible customers in Great Britain and are a key part of our licence obligations under UK Gambling Commission Social Responsibility Codes.

Deposit Limits

1. Access your account: Log in to your stersports.com account and go to the "My Account" or "Safer Gambling" (or similarly named) section.
2. Choose deposit limits: Select the option such as "Deposit Limits" or "Set a Limit". You will usually be able to set daily, weekly and monthly limits.
3. Enter your limits: Decide on amounts that reflect what you can comfortably afford to lose, taking into account all your other financial commitments. Enter these figures (for example, £20 per day, £50 per week, £150 per month) and confirm.
4. Confirmation and effect: Once confirmed, you will not be able to deposit more than your chosen limit during the relevant period. Decreases generally take effect immediately. Increases or removals are normally subject to a cooling-off period (for example, 24 hours) in line with UK requirements, during which you may be asked to confirm your decision again.

You should review your limits regularly and adjust downwards if your circumstances change. If you are unsure what is affordable, consider speaking to a free debt advice charity before increasing any limit.

Time and Session Limits

Time management is an important part of responsible gambling. On stersports.com, you may be able to set reality checks or session timers that remind you how long you have been logged in or betting.

• Reality checks: In your account's "Safer Gambling" section, choose a time interval (for example, every 30 or 60 minutes). When the time is reached, a message will pop up showing how long you have been active and your net position, prompting you to decide whether to continue or log out.
• Session limits: Where available, you can cap the maximum length of each session. After the set duration, you will be automatically logged out and required to log in again if you wish to continue.

Time-Out (Short Breaks)

If you feel you need a short break from gambling, you can take a "Time-Out" from your account:

1. Log in and navigate to "My Account" > "Safer Gambling" > "Time-Out" (or similarly named area).
2. Select the duration of your break, typically between 24 hours and 72 hours, or up to a few weeks.
3. Read the information about what Time-Out means, then confirm your choice.

During a Time-Out, you will not be able to place bets or use gaming products. You may still be able to log in to review your account and withdraw any available balance, but no new gambling transactions can be made until the Time-Out has expired. If you feel that a short break is not enough, please consider full self-exclusion as described below.

Self-Exclusion

Self-exclusion is designed for customers who recognise that their gambling is causing harm and who need a longer-term or permanent break. It is a formal process and is taken very seriously by Star Sports in line with UK legal and regulatory obligations.

How to Request Self-Exclusion

1. Find the self-exclusion option: Log in to your stersports.com account and go to "My Account" or "Safer Gambling". Select "Self-Exclusion" (or a similar term such as "Close Account - Gambling Problem"). If you are unable to log in, please contact Customer Support via live chat, telephone or email and clearly state that you wish to self-exclude.
2. Choose the duration: Available periods generally start from at least 6 months and may include 1 year, 2 years, 5 years or a lifetime (permanent) exclusion. Select the period that best reflects the seriousness of your situation and your need for protection.
3. Confirm your decision: You will be asked to read important information about the consequences of self-exclusion and then confirm that you understand and accept them. You may be required to tick a confirmation box or re-enter your password to proceed.
4. Support contact: Once your request is processed, you should receive confirmation by email. Our support team may contact you to offer information about professional help services and to ensure you understand the support tools available.

Consequences of Self-Exclusion

• Access restrictions: You will not be able to log in to your self-excluded account or place bets online with Star Sports for the duration of the exclusion. We will also take reasonable steps to prevent you from opening new accounts during this period.
• Marketing communications: Reasonable efforts will be made to stop marketing communications being sent to you in line with data protection and UKGC requirements.
• Account balance and withdrawals: Self-exclusion does not automatically result in the loss of funds that were lawfully deposited and not yet gambled. Subject to our Terms and Conditions and any necessary verification checks (for example, anti-money laundering or identity checks), you may be able to request withdrawal of any remaining balance.
• Irreversibility during the period: Once set, self-exclusions cannot usually be cancelled or shortened. After the minimum period has ended, you may need to contact us to request reactivation, and a further cooling-off period may apply.

National Self-Exclusion - GAMSTOP

In addition to the self-exclusion tools available directly on stersports.com, customers in Great Britain can register with GAMSTOP, the free national online self-exclusion scheme for UK-licensed gambling websites. When you register with GAMSTOP and your registration is confirmed, operators covered by the scheme are required to take reasonable steps to prevent you from using their online services.

• Visit gamstop.co.uk to register for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years.
• Use accurate personal details and the email addresses you use with gambling operators so the scheme can work effectively.
• GAMSTOP is an additional safeguard and does not replace the need to avoid opening new accounts or gambling with unlicensed operators.

For players in other jurisdictions, similar schemes may exist (for example, Spain's RGIAJ self-exclusion register). However, stersports.com and the Star Sports product are targeted at customers in the UK and must follow the rules of the UK Gambling Commission.

Support Resources

If you or someone close to you is worried about gambling, we strongly recommend contacting independent specialist services. All organisations listed below are separate from Star Sports and offer confidential support.

Local Support - United Kingdom

• GamCare (National Gambling HelpLine): Free, confidential support for anyone in Great Britain affected by gambling. Helpline: 0808 8020 133, usually available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Live chat and online services are also available via their website.
• NHS Gambling Services: In England, specialist NHS clinics provide free treatment for gambling-related harms. Speak to your GP or visit the NHS website and search for "gambling addiction" to learn about available services in your area.
• Local counselling and debt advice: Organisations such as Citizens Advice, StepChange and other charities can provide free, impartial advice on debt, budgeting and broader wellbeing issues linked to gambling.

International Support Organisations

These organisations provide telephone, online chat, forums and in some cases local meetings for both gamblers and affected others. They are experienced in handling sensitive situations and will respect your privacy.

Self-Exclusion Schemes and Blocking Tools

• United Kingdom - GAMSTOP: National online self-exclusion for customers of UK-licensed operators. Website: gamstop.co.uk.
• Spain - RGIAJ: Example of a national self-exclusion register administered by Spanish authorities. Primarily relevant to customers of Spanish-licensed operators.
• Gamban: Device-level blocking software that can prevent access to many gambling sites and apps once installed. Visit gamban.com for details.
• BetBlocker: Free gambling-blocking software available on multiple devices. Visit betblocker.org to learn more.
• Payment and browser controls: Many banks and financial institutions allow customers to block gambling transactions, and some web browsers or app stores provide parental or content restrictions that can limit access to gambling content.

Using a combination of self-exclusion and blocking tools provides stronger protection, particularly if you have experienced difficulties stopping gambling in the past.

Family and Friends Support

• GamAnon / Gamblers Anonymous family groups: Peer support meetings and resources for relatives and friends of people with gambling problems.
• GamCare Forum and chatrooms: Online communities where affected others can share experiences and receive moderated support.
• Gambling Therapy for families: Online services often include dedicated areas for partners, parents and other family members.

These services are generally confidential. They will not share your information with Star Sports or any other operator without your consent, except where required by law to protect you or others from serious harm.

Help for Family

Gambling-related harm can affect partners, children, relatives and friends. It is natural to feel worried, angry or confused if someone close to you is struggling with gambling. The way you approach the conversation can make it easier for them to accept help.

• Choose the right moment: Talk when everyone is calm and sober, and there is enough time for a proper conversation without interruptions.
• Use "I" statements: Focus on how their gambling affects you ("I feel worried when...") rather than accusing them ("You always..."), which can make them defensive.
• Stay non-judgmental: Emphasise that you care about them and want to help, rather than criticising or shaming them for past decisions.
• Encourage, do not force, support: Gently suggest contacting professional services like GamCare, Gambling Therapy or local counselling, and offer to accompany them or help them make the call.
• Protect your own wellbeing: Set clear boundaries around money, joint accounts and practical responsibilities. Seek support for yourself through family-focused groups and forums.

Useful resources for family members include the GamCare Forum, Gambling Therapy's support areas for affected others, and family groups linked to Gamblers Anonymous (often referred to as GamAnon). If you are worried about immediate safety, serious debt problems or mental health crises, contact emergency services or NHS helplines without delay. Where appropriate, a qualified psychotherapist, counsellor or GP can help both the gambler and family members understand addiction and plan next steps.

Operator's Commitment

Star Sports, operated by Star Racing Limited for customers of stersports.com and Star Sports in the UK, is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission under licence numbers 009177-R-104555-013 (remote) and 009177-N-104556-012 (non-remote). Our social responsibility obligations require us to identify and reduce gambling-related harm, not simply to provide betting services.

Internal Risk Checks and Monitoring

• Behavioural analysis: We monitor accounts for indicators of potential harm, such as large or rapid increases in deposits or staking, frequent declined deposits, extended sessions without breaks, multiple payment methods, and repeated attempts to reverse withdrawals.
• Financial and affordability considerations: In line with UKGC expectations and anti-money laundering rules, we may review the level of your activity compared with information we hold about you. In some cases, we may request additional information or documentation to ensure that your gambling appears affordable and sustainable.
• Age and vulnerability checks: We carry out age verification to ensure that no one under 18 can gamble. We also take particular care when we have reason to believe that a customer may be vulnerable (for example, due to health or financial circumstances).
• Safer gambling messaging: Where patterns suggest increased risk, we may display on-site messages, send safer gambling emails or present non-intrusive pop-ups encouraging you to review your behaviour and consider tools such as deposit limits or self-exclusion.

When We May Contact You or Intervene

Depending on the level of risk identified, our support or safer gambling team may:

• Contact you via email, telephone, SMS or account messages to discuss your gambling in a supportive and non-judgmental manner.
• Recommend or apply safer gambling tools such as limits, Time-Outs or self-exclusion where appropriate and lawful.
• Request further information or documents to better understand your financial situation and ensure your gambling remains affordable.
• Restrict or suspend your account, and in serious cases close it, if we believe continued gambling may cause significant harm or if regulatory requirements oblige us to act.

We are also a member of the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS), which provides alternative dispute resolution in line with UK regulations. While IBAS generally focuses on disputes about bets rather than treatment of gambling problems, our adherence to IBAS rulings is one aspect of our wider commitment to fair and responsible operation. Star Sports has no recorded regulatory sanctions for social responsibility failings on the UKGC register in the 12 months prior to January 2025, and we aim to maintain that standard.

Updates

Responsible gambling standards evolve over time as regulation, research and industry best practice develop. Star Sports reviews its safer gambling policies and tools regularly to ensure ongoing compliance with UK Gambling Commission requirements and to reflect emerging evidence about effective harm prevention.

• Notification of changes: When we make material changes to this Responsible Gambling page or to relevant terms and tools, we may notify you by email, account messages, on-site banners or pop-up notices on stersports.com.
• Priority of Terms and Conditions: This page is designed to provide clear, user-friendly information. If there is any inconsistency between this page and our Terms and Conditions or regulatory obligations, the Terms and Conditions and applicable laws/regulations will prevail.
• Ongoing review: We encourage you to revisit this page periodically so that you remain informed about the current tools and protections available.

Last updated: 20 January 2026.

Contact & Feedback

If you have any questions about responsible gambling, need help using our safer gambling tools, or wish to share feedback on how we can improve, please contact us.

• Live chat: Available via stersports.com, typically from around 09:00 to 22:00 (UK time). You can ask to speak with a member of the Safer Gambling or Customer Protection team.
• Telephone: You can call the customer support telephone number published on stersports.com and request to speak to someone about responsible gambling. Standard call charges may apply.
• Email: Use the dedicated email address for customer support listed on the Contact page of stersports.com and clearly state that your query relates to "Responsible Gambling" or "Safer Gambling" so it can be directed to the appropriate team.

Where available, you may also find a specific online form on stersports.com for safer gambling or self-control requests (for example, to ask for account reviews, to provide feedback on our tools, or to request support with setting or adjusting limits). Please complete the form with as much relevant information as you feel comfortable providing so that our team can respond effectively.

If you are in immediate distress or fear for your safety or that of someone else, please contact emergency services or NHS urgent mental health services first, before contacting Star Sports. Gambling should never put your wellbeing or that of others at risk.