Responsible Gambling at Tombola
Playing bingo at Tombola should stay an enjoyable pastime, and this page sets out how the operator protects players in the United Kingdom: the tools built into every account, the dedicated Safe Play Team, and the independent support organisations available if gambling stops being fun. As an independent review website, we summarise what the operator documents so readers can make informed choices.
Table of contents
Our Commitment to Safe Play
Tombola operates under a UK Gambling Commission licence (Account No. 38613) and holds additional Gibraltar licensing (RGL 052) for international operations, which means player protection is a legal condition of its business rather than an optional extra. The brand has been part of the UK online bingo landscape since 2006 and has been owned by Flutter Entertainment since 2022.
What is the Tombola Safe Play Team?
The Tombola Safe Play Team is the operator’s specialist responsible gambling unit. Its role covers monitoring play patterns, reviewing account behaviour that may indicate harm, handling requests for limits, time-outs and self-exclusion, and directing players towards independent help. The team’s remit sits alongside the general customer support channels — 24/7 live chat, email (support@tombola.co.uk) and a UK freephone line (0800 29 888 73, 9 AM–11 PM) — but focuses specifically on safer gambling concerns rather than account or payment queries.
Responsible gaming philosophy
Tombola’s approach is built on prevention first: games are designed with modest ticket prices (from 1p up to 50p), a £300 maximum account balance caps exposure, and a weekly net-deposit ceiling limits how much can flow into an account. All games run on in-house proprietary software — Bingo90, Bingo75 Lines, Bingo80, plus Pulse, Burst, Blocks and Paper — so the operator controls the full product experience, including safer gambling messaging inside the game client itself.
Player protection measures
- Licensing and oversight: regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, licence no. 38613.
- Age verification: strictly 18+ for all players.
- Account security: full-site SSL encryption and 3-D Secure 2.0 on all card transactions (Visa debit card, Mastercard debit card, Visa Electron), so deposits through a Visa Electron or Apple Pay are handled under the same protection standard.
- Built-in spending ceilings: the £300 maximum balance and weekly net-deposit ceiling apply to every account by default.
- Independent signposting: links to BeGambleAware are provided so players can reach confidential help directly.
Tools & Limits
Tombola provides five core responsible-gambling tools: net spend limits, deposit caps, loss caps, session reminders and self-exclusion. All are set at account level and apply to every payment method, whether a player deposits by Visa or Mastercard debit card or by Apple Pay (which carries a £5 minimum and becomes available after the first card deposit).
How do I set deposit limits on Tombola?
Deposit limits on Tombola are set in the responsible gambling area of the account, where players choose a maximum amount they can deposit over a defined period. Reducing a limit takes effect straight away, while increasing it is delayed so the decision cannot be made impulsively. Alongside any personal cap, the operator’s own £300 maximum balance and weekly net-deposit ceiling remain in force for every player.
A practical point worth noting: because Tombola enforces low defaults, many players find the platform’s built-in ceilings sufficient on their own, but setting a personal deposit cap that reflects an individual budget adds a second layer of control.
Time-out and self-exclusion options
Players who want a short break can use a time-out, which suspends access to the account for a chosen period without closing it permanently. For a longer or more serious step, self-exclusion is available among the responsible gaming tools: once activated, the account cannot be used to play or deposit for the exclusion period, and marketing contact stops. Self-exclusion requests can be made through the account settings or by contacting the Safe Play Team directly via live chat, email or the freephone number.
Reality checks and session reminders
Session reminders at Tombola alert players to how long they have been playing, prompting a conscious decision about whether to continue or log out. These reminders work alongside the deposit and loss caps: the caps control the money side of a session, while the reminders control the time side. Players are encouraged to treat each reminder as a genuine checkpoint rather than dismissing it automatically.
| Tool | What it controls | How to activate |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit caps | Maximum money paid in over a set period | Account responsible gambling settings |
| Net spend limits | Overall net spend on the account | Account responsible gambling settings |
| Loss caps | Maximum losses over a set period | Account responsible gambling settings |
| Session reminders | Awareness of time spent playing | Automatic prompts during play |
| Time-out | Temporary account suspension | Account settings or Safe Play Team |
| Self-exclusion | Longer-term block on playing and depositing | Account settings or Safe Play Team |
Getting Help
Recognising a problem early makes it far easier to address, and help in the United Kingdom is free, confidential and independent of any operator. Tombola signposts players to BeGambleAware, and the Safe Play Team can also point players towards professional support on request.
Signs of problem gambling
- Spending more money or time on bingo than originally planned, session after session.
- Chasing losses by redepositing immediately after a losing session.
- Depositing at or near the £300 maximum balance repeatedly, or hitting the weekly net-deposit ceiling.
- Hiding gambling activity from family or friends, or borrowing money to play.
- Feeling restless or irritable when unable to play, or using gambling to escape low mood.
- Neglecting work, relationships or other commitments because of play.
Support organisations and helplines
BeGambleAware is the principal independent charity Tombola links to, offering confidential advice, self-assessment tools and access to free treatment services across the United Kingdom. Its support is available regardless of where a person gambles, and contact with it is never shared with the operator.
How to seek assistance
The fastest route depends on the situation. For immediate account-level action — a time-out, a lower deposit cap or self-exclusion — players should use the account settings or contact the Tombola Safe Play Team via 24/7 live chat, support@tombola.co.uk or 0800 29 888 73. For independent emotional and practical support, BeGambleAware’s helpline and live chat are free and confidential. Combining both — locking the account down while talking to an independent adviser — is generally the most effective approach.
For an overview of the operator’s wider offering, see our independent review: Tombola. The conditions attached to promotions and accounts are covered on the terms page: Tombola terms and conditions. Background on this independent website can be found here: about Tombola.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tombola
How do I set deposit limits on Tombola?
Deposit limits are configured in the responsible gambling section of the account. Players choose a maximum deposit amount for a set period; reductions apply immediately, while increases are delayed. These personal caps sit alongside the operator’s mandatory £300 maximum balance and weekly net-deposit ceiling, which apply to all accounts by default.
What is the Tombola Safe Play Team?
The Safe Play Team is Tombola’s dedicated responsible gambling unit. It monitors play behaviour, processes requests for limits, time-outs and self-exclusion, and refers players to independent help such as BeGambleAware. It can be reached via the 24/7 live chat, by email at support@tombola.co.uk or on the UK freephone line 0800 29 888 73.
How do I self-exclude from Tombola?
Self-exclusion can be activated through the responsible gambling tools in the account settings, or by contacting the Safe Play Team directly by live chat, email or freephone. Once active, the account cannot be used for play or deposits during the exclusion period, and promotional communications are stopped for its duration.
Where can I get help for gambling problems?
Tombola signposts players to BeGambleAware, the independent UK charity offering free, confidential advice, self-assessment tools and access to treatment services. For account-level measures such as time-outs or self-exclusion, the Tombola Safe Play Team is available around the clock via live chat, email and the UK freephone number.
If safe, controlled play is your priority, review the operator’s account tools directly and decide whether its protections match your needs.