18+ only: you must be 18 or over to use this website
Bet Opening Times is for adults. Every user of betopeningtimes.co.uk must be at least 18 years old. If you are under 18, please leave the site now.
Adults only
Reviewed 23 Sep 2026
Minimum age to use this site
18+ Applies to every pageID checks in betting shops
Think 21 Or Think 25, depending on the operatorNational Gambling Helpline
0808 8020 133 Free and confidential, 24 hours a dayOur age policy at a glance
- Who can use this site
- Adults aged 18 and over only
- Under 18
- Not permitted — please leave the site
- Legal betting age in the UK
- 18
- Do we take bets?
- No — we publish opening times only
By using betopeningtimes.co.uk you confirm that you are 18 or over and legally allowed to gamble where you live.
Our age policy
Bet Opening Times publishes independent guides to UK betting shop opening hours. Because our content relates to gambling, access to this website is restricted to adults.
By using betopeningtimes.co.uk, you confirm that:
- You are aged 18 or over.
- You are legally permitted to gamble in the country where you live.
- You understand that gambling involves financial risk and should only be done for entertainment, with money you can afford to lose.
Under 18? If you do not meet all three conditions, you must not use this website. Please close this page now.
Why the minimum age is 18
In Great Britain, the Gambling Act 2005 makes it an offence to invite, cause or permit anyone under 18 to gamble in a betting shop or online.
Licensed bookmakers are legally required to refuse bets from under-18s, and the same minimum age applies in Northern Ireland. Although Bet Opening Times does not take bets, we apply the same rule to our readers. Our pages are written for adults planning a visit to a licensed betting office, and they are not intended for, or directed at, anyone under 18.
We do not take bets
Bet Opening Times is an information website. We do not accept bets, hold customer accounts or handle payments.
Some pages contain advertising links to bookmakers licensed by the Gambling Commission. These are clearly marked as advertising. Any operator you visit through those links will carry out its own age and identity checks, and licensed operators must verify that a customer is 18 or over before they can deposit money or place a bet.
We are not owned, operated or endorsed by Betfred, Done Brothers (Cash Betting) Limited or any other bookmaker. See our advertising and affiliate disclosure below.
Age checks in betting shops
If you visit a betting shop, expect to be asked for proof of age. UK bookmakers run schemes such as Think 21 or Think 25, so staff will ask for ID if you look younger than that age.
| Type of ID | Accepted | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Yes | UK or foreign passport, in date. |
| Photocard driving licence | Yes | Full or provisional licence. |
| PASS proof-of-age card | Yes | Look for the PASS hologram, such as a CitizenCard. |
| Bank card or student card | No | Does not prove your date of birth. |
No ID, no bet: staff can refuse service if you cannot show valid ID, even if you are over 18. Carry it with you when you visit.
Advice for parents and guardians
If you share a computer, tablet or phone with anyone under 18, a few simple steps will keep gambling content out of reach.
Use parental controls
Most devices, broadband providers and mobile networks offer free content filters that block gambling websites. Switch them on for any device a child uses.
Protect your accounts
Keep passwords for betting accounts private, log out after use and never save payment details on a shared device.
Install blocking software
Tools such as Gamban, Net Nanny and Qustodio can restrict access to gambling sites and apps across all your devices.
Talk about it
Explaining how gambling works, and why it is restricted to adults, helps young people understand the risks.
If you believe someone under 18 is using this website, please contact us and we will take appropriate action.
Gamble responsibly
Gambling should be fun, not a way to make money or escape problems. Set a budget before you bet, never chase losses and take regular breaks. If gambling stops being enjoyable, stop.
| Service | Contact | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| National Gambling Helpline | 0808 8020 133 | Free phone support, 24 hours a day, run by GamCare. |
| GamCare | gamcare.org.uk | Live chat, advice and access to free treatment. |
| GAMSTOP | gamstop.co.uk | Free self-exclusion from all online gambling sites licensed in Great Britain. |
| Gamblers Anonymous | gamblersanonymous.org.uk | Peer support meetings across the UK. |
To stop yourself using local betting shops, ask staff in any branch about the Multi-Operator Self-Exclusion Scheme (MOSES), which covers shops from several bookmakers at once.
Frequently asked questions
- How old do you have to be to use Bet Opening Times?
- You must be at least 18 years old to use this website.
- What is the legal gambling age in the UK?
- The minimum age for betting with a bookmaker, in a shop or online, is 18 across the UK.
- Does Bet Opening Times check my age?
- We do not hold accounts or take bets, so we do not collect ID. Any bookmaker you visit through our links will verify your age before you can gamble.
- Will a betting shop ask me for ID?
- Very likely, if you look under 21 or 25. Carry a passport, photocard driving licence or PASS card.
- What should I do if I'm worried about my gambling?
- Call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, free and 24 hours a day, or visit GamCare for live chat and support.