Responsible gambling at Tombola
Bingo should feel like a laugh, not a worry. Tombola, licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (licence no. 38613) and part of Flutter Entertainment since 2022, builds player protection into the account itself — from net spend limits to full self-exclusion. This page walks through the tools on offer, how to switch them on, and where to turn if gambling stops feeling like fun.
Our commitment to safe play
Tombola has operated in the UK online bingo space since 2006, and responsible gambling sits at the centre of how the operator runs the site rather than being bolted on as an afterthought. The Safe Play Team is Tombola’s dedicated responsible gambling function — a group of trained staff whose job is to monitor play patterns, reach out to players whose behaviour looks concerning, and handle requests around limits, time-outs and self-exclusion. You can reach them through the same 24/7 live chat, email (support@tombola.co.uk) or the UK freephone line 0800 29 888 73 (9 AM–11 PM) that handles everyday queries.
The operator’s philosophy is straightforward: gambling is entertainment, and it only stays entertainment while you’re in control of it. That thinking shows up in the product itself. Tickets across Tombola’s in-house games — Bingo90, Bingo75 Lines, Bingo80, plus Pulse, Burst, Blocks and Paper — start from just 1p, so the natural cost of a session can stay genuinely low. On the technical side, full-site SSL encryption and 3-D Secure 2.0 on all card transactions protect account access, which matters for protection just as much as spending caps do.
Practical player protection measures documented by the operator include:
- A £300 maximum account balance, which caps how much money can sit in your account at any one time
- A weekly net-deposit ceiling, so deposits can’t spiral beyond a fixed weekly amount
- Configurable net spend limits, deposit caps and loss caps set by the player
- Session reminders that interrupt play with a reality check
- Time-out and self-exclusion options for stepping away completely
- Signposting to BeGambleAware for independent, confidential support
Because Tombola operates under UK Gambling Commission oversight, these aren’t optional extras — they’re licence conditions the operator must enforce. For the broader regulatory picture and what those licence terms mean in practice: Tombola terms and conditions.
Tools & limits
The controls below are the ones Tombola actually documents. All of them live inside your account settings, and most take effect immediately — increases to limits typically involve a cooling-off delay so decisions can’t be made impulsively mid-session.
How do I set deposit limits on Tombola?
You set a deposit limit by logging into your Tombola account, opening the account or Safe Play section, and choosing a daily, weekly or monthly cap on what you can deposit. The limit applies on top of the site’s built-in weekly net-deposit ceiling and £300 maximum balance. Lowering a limit takes effect straight away; raising one involves a delay.
Worth knowing: the payment rails themselves have their own minimums. Debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Visa Electron) require a £10 minimum first deposit and £5 thereafter, while Apple Pay starts at £5 and becomes available after your first card deposit. All transactions are fee-free. Setting a personal deposit cap well below the weekly ceiling is a sensible habit — it keeps your bingo budget a deliberate choice rather than a mood-driven one.
Time-out and self-exclusion options
A time-out is the lighter option: it locks your account for a short, defined break so you can’t log in or play until the period ends. Self-exclusion is the serious step — Tombola offers self-exclusion among its responsible gaming tools, closing your account for a longer period of your choosing and blocking new accounts during that window. UK players can also register with GAMSTOP, the national scheme, which extends self-exclusion across every UK-licensed operator at once — worth doing if you play on more than one site.
Reality checks and session reminders
Session reminders pop up while you play and tell you how long you’ve been logged in. They sound simple, but bingo games run back-to-back and time disappears quickly — a nudge that says “you’ve been playing for an hour” is often exactly what’s needed to decide, consciously, whether to carry on or cash out. Combined with net spend and loss caps, reminders turn vague intentions into hard boundaries.
| Tool | What it does | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit caps | Limits how much you can add over a chosen period | Account / Safe Play settings |
| Net spend limits | Caps deposits minus withdrawals across a period | Account / Safe Play settings |
| Loss caps | Stops play once a set loss amount is reached | Account / Safe Play settings |
| Session reminders | Alerts you to elapsed playing time | In-game notifications |
| Time-out | Short-term account lock for a cooling-off break | Account settings or via support |
| Self-exclusion | Long-term account closure with new-account block | Safe Play Team / support channels |
Getting help
If gambling starts feeling less like a hobby and more like a need, that’s the moment to act — and acting early is far easier than acting late. Support is free, confidential, and available whether you play at Tombola or anywhere else.
Signs of problem gambling
Nobody likes a checklist aimed at them, but an honest glance at these questions costs nothing:
- Are you spending more than you planned, or chasing losses to “win it back”?
- Have you hidden your play — or your spending — from family or friends?
- Is gambling money coming from funds meant for bills, food or savings?
- Do you feel restless or irritable when you can’t play?
- Have you borrowed money or sold things to keep playing?
- Is bingo on your mind when you’re supposed to be working or sleeping?
One “yes” doesn’t prove a problem, but several are a clear signal to use a time-out, talk to the Safe Play Team, or contact an independent helpline.
Support organisations and helplines
Tombola signposts players to BeGambleAware (begambleaware.org), the leading UK charity for gambling support, which offers free advice, self-assessment tools and routes into treatment. Alongside it, these UK services are worth saving:
- National Gambling Helpline — 0808 8020 133, free and available around the clock
- GamCare — forums, chat rooms and structured support (gamcare.org.uk)
- GAMSTOP — free national self-exclusion across all UK-licensed sites (gamstop.co.uk)
- Gamblers Anonymous UK — peer-support meetings nationwide (gamblersanonymous.org.uk)
How to seek assistance
The fastest route is usually the one inside the site itself: open Tombola’s live chat (staffed 24/7), email support@tombola.co.uk, or call the freephone line 0800 29 888 73 between 9 AM and 11 PM and ask for the Safe Play Team. They can apply time-outs, exclusions and limits on your behalf. For independent help that never touches your account, BeGambleAware and the National Gambling Helpline are the first calls to make. If you’d like to know more about who runs the operator and its licensing background: about Tombola.
Frequently asked questions about Tombola
How do I set deposit limits on Tombola?
Log into your account and open the Safe Play or account settings area, where you can set daily, weekly or monthly deposit caps. Reductions apply immediately, while increases involve a cooling-off delay. These personal caps sit alongside the site’s built-in weekly net-deposit ceiling and £300 maximum balance.
What is the Tombola Safe Play Team?
The Safe Play Team is Tombola’s dedicated responsible gambling department. Its trained staff monitor play behaviour, contact players showing signs of risky patterns, and process requests for time-outs, limits and self-exclusion. You can reach them via 24/7 live chat, email at support@tombola.co.uk, or the freephone line 0800 29 888 73 (9 AM–11 PM).
How do I self-exclude from Tombola?
Contact the Safe Play Team through live chat, email or the freephone line and request self-exclusion for a period of your choosing. Your account will be closed and new accounts blocked during that time. For wider protection, register free with GAMSTOP, which applies self-exclusion across every UK Gambling Commission-licensed operator simultaneously.
Where can I get help for gambling problems?
Tombola signposts players to BeGambleAware, which provides free, confidential advice and treatment referrals. You can also call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, use GamCare’s chat and forums, or attend Gamblers Anonymous meetings. All of these services are independent, free of charge and available to UK players.
Playing with limits already in place is simply the smart way to enjoy bingo — and if you’re in a good place and want to see what Tombola offers, including its 100% bonus match up to £50 with no wagering requirements, the link below takes you there.