Responsible Gambling at Tombola

Tombola operates under UK Gambling Commission licence no. 38613, and that licence obliges the operator to provide meaningful player-protection tools rather than token gestures. This independent review explains exactly which responsible gambling controls Tombola makes available, how to activate them, and where to find outside support if gambling stops feeling like entertainment.

Table of contents

Our commitment to safe play

Tombola has been part of the UK online bingo landscape since 2006 and has been owned by Flutter Entertainment since 2022. The operator frames its responsible gaming philosophy around the idea that bingo should remain an affordable leisure activity, and its UK Gambling Commission licence (Account No. 38613), supplemented by a Gibraltar licence (RGL 052) for international operations, requires it to enforce that position in practice.

A dedicated Tombola Safe Play Team sits at the centre of this framework. The team’s role, as documented by the operator, is to monitor player behaviour for signs of harmful play, respond to contact from worried players or their families, and intervene when account activity suggests someone may be losing control. This can include reaching out directly to a player, suggesting limit-setting, or applying restrictions where necessary.

Technical player protection measures back up the human oversight. Tombola applies full-site SSL encryption and 3-D Secure 2.0 on all card transactions, so deposits made with a Visa debit card, Mastercard debit card, Visa Electron or Apple Pay are protected end to end. The site also links to BeGambleAware, and all games are developed in-house on proprietary Tombola software, which means the operator controls the entire playing environment rather than relying on third-party studios.

Structural limits add a further layer of protection: Tombola enforces a £300 maximum account balance and a weekly net-deposit ceiling, which caps how much any player can commit in a given week regardless of the payment method used. You can read more about the brand’s background on our about Tombola.

Tools and limits

How do I set deposit limits on Tombola?

Deposit limits at Tombola are set inside your account settings, where you can define a cap on how much you deposit over a chosen period. Alongside standard deposit caps, the operator offers net spend limits and loss caps, and a weekly net-deposit ceiling applies to every account automatically.

Visit Tombola →
h41_cdk”>What it doesBlocks play after a defined loss amount
Where to find itAccount settings
Session reminders
What it doesOn-screen prompts showing time spent playing
Where to find itIn-game notifications
Time-out
What it doesShort break from the account
Where to find itAccount settings or via support
Self-exclusion
What it doesLonger-term account closure for gambling control
Where to find itAccount settings or via support

Time-out and self-exclusion options

Players who want a break can apply a time-out, which suspends access to the account for a short, defined period without closing it permanently. For anything more serious, Tombola provides self-exclusion among its responsible gaming tools: a longer-term block during which the account cannot be used and the operator will not send marketing communications.

Self-exclusion can be arranged through the account area or by contacting support. Tombola’s customer service runs 24/7 via live chat and email (support@tombola.co.uk), with a UK freephone line 0800 29 888 73 staffed from 9 AM to 11 PM, so assistance with exclusion is available at almost any hour. The Safe Play Team can also guide players through the consequences of exclusion before it is confirmed.

Reality checks and session reminders

Tombola’s session reminders act as reality checks: on-screen prompts that tell you how long you have been playing, so time does not slip by unnoticed during a bingo session. These reminders work across the responsive HTML5 web client and the native iOS and Android apps, and they pair naturally with the deposit and loss caps described above. Treat a session reminder as a prompt to review your net spend position before buying the next set of tickets, whether those are 1p or 50p tickets on Bingo90, Bingo75 Lines, Bingo80, Pulse, Burst, Blocks or Paper.

Getting help

What are the signs of problem gambling?

Problem gambling typically shows up as chasing losses, spending more than planned, hiding play from family, or gambling with money needed for essentials. If bingo at Tombola or anywhere else feels compulsory rather than recreational, that shift is the clearest early warning sign.

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Support organisations and helplines

Tombola links directly to BeGambleAware, the leading independent source of free, confidential help for anyone affected by gambling in the United Kingdom. BeGambleAware offers information, self-assessment tools and routes into treatment, and it supports concerned friends and family members as well as players themselves.

Seeking assistance early is straightforward. A first step can be as simple as using Tombola’s own tools — a time-out or tighter net spend limit — while contacting BeGambleAware in parallel for impartial advice. The minimum age to play at Tombola is 18, and anyone under that age or gambling on behalf of someone else should stop immediately and seek guidance. For a broader look at the operator, see our Tombola review, and for the contractual side of account restrictions, the Tombola terms and conditions.

Frequently asked questions about Tombola

How do I set deposit limits on Tombola?

Log in and open the responsible gambling area of your account settings, then choose a deposit cap, net spend limit or loss cap for a daily, weekly or monthly period. Reductions apply quickly, while increases involve a cooling-off delay. A £300 maximum balance and weekly net-deposit ceiling apply to all accounts automatically.

What is the Tombola Safe Play Team?

The Safe Play Team is Tombola’s dedicated responsible gambling unit. It monitors account behaviour for warning signs, responds to concerns raised by players or their families, and can intervene by suggesting limits or applying restrictions. It is reachable through the operator’s 24/7 live chat and email support channels.

How do I self-exclude from Tombola?

Self-exclusion is available in the account’s responsible gambling section or by contacting support via live chat, email at support@tombola.co.uk, or the UK freephone line 0800 29 888 73 (9 AM–11 PM). During exclusion the account cannot be used and marketing communications stop.

Where can I get help for gambling problems?

Tombola links to BeGambleAware, which provides free, confidential advice, self-assessment tools and routes into treatment for UK players and their families. Alongside external help, you can use Tombola’s own time-out, deposit caps and session reminders to bring play back under control immediately.

If you are confident your play is under control and want to see what Tombola offers new players — a 100% bonus match up to £50 on a minimum £10 first deposit, with 1 Free Play for every £1 (up to 50 Free Plays) and no wagering requirements — the full details are one click away.

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