For most people, online gambling is what they should be - an interesting way to spend their free time. However, for a small minority, online gambling can be a problem.
The vast majority of our online customers will never run into a problem. However, responsible gaming is not limited to those who have problems with gambling or who are at the greatest risk of development. This is the best approach for EVERYONE.
On all of our websites, we strive to help our customers have fun by advertising and advertising gambling operators who promote safe and responsible online gambling. In addition, providing information and advice to those who cannot control their gambling.
The UK licensed websites we recommend include the following features:
- Set reality checks - by providing tips and timeouts to help you manage the amount of time you play online.
- Set deposit limits - you can set limits that can be set for periods of time ranging from daily to monthly, and which can be reduced, increased and completely removed.
- Viewing the history of gaming activity - so that you can track your activity, you can access the history of your transactions, deposits and withdrawals.
- Take a break - you can set a break period from 24 hours to 6 weeks
- Self-exclusion - you have the opportunity to completely exclude yourself and stop gambling. Self-exclusion can be applied for a period of six months to five years
- Autoplay controls - If you want to play games using the auto-play function, before starting the game you will be asked to select bet and loss limits. And if you want, you can even pause the game when you win the jackpot, so that you will not get any of your winnings.
How will I know if I have a problem?
A good way to gauge whether your gambling is no longer fun, and may be getting out of control, is to ask yourself the following questions:
- 1. Do you gamble alone on your computer for long periods, perhaps staying away from work or other activities to do so?
- 2. Have you needed to increase your gambling stake more and more to get the excitement you are looking for?
- 3. Do you suffer mood swings, irritability and agitation when you are not gambling?
- 4. Do you think that you gamble to escape other issues or problems in your life?
- 5. Have you ever claimed to be winning from gambling when, in fact, you are losing?
- 6. Have you tried, in the past, to reduce either the time or money that you spend gambling and been unsuccessful?
- 7. Have you ever been tempted to commit an act of dishonesty to finance your gambling?
- 8. Have you ever gone back online to gamble, on another day, to win back your losses?
- 9. Have you ever hidden your gambling from people who are important to you in your life?
- 10. Have you borrowed money, from any source, that you have been unable to pay back because of your gambling or are you otherwise in debt as a result of gambling?
- 11. Have you ever sold any possessions to obtain money to gamble or pay gambling debts?
- 12. Do you find yourself breaking promises, to family and friends, so that you can gamble instead?
If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, then you may need to take control of your gambling, using the information below. You can also take the confidential ‘Worried about your gambling’ quiz on the BeGambleaware website and try out their Safer Gambling to give you an indication whether your gambling is becoming a problem.
What should I do if I think I have a problem?
The first step to regaining control is to be completely honest with yourself and acknowledge that there is a problem, but you have a desire to confront it. By doing this, you have taken the biggest step towards solving the problem. It may happen that a simple retreat and the realization that you have demonstrated some of the above behaviors are enough to force you to change your approach and allow you to regain control. In addition, you may feel that you need help, advice and support.
Never be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. Practical steps to help you stay in control:
- 1. Ask someone you trust to handle your money for an agreed amount of time (for example, three months) or otherwise seek their assistance in setting a budget plan.
- 2. Limit the level of your deposits or expenditure or the time you spend online. Our recommended gaming web sites provide tools to allow you to impose your own limits on expenditure.
- 3. Reward yourself for “gambling free” periods by spending the money you saved on something for yourself or your family.
- 4. If all else fails – stop gambling. Self-exclude yourself from all the websites on which you normally bet or play. If you believe exclusion is the best option for you, it is advisable to take an appropriate break from ALL forms of gambling.
- 5. If you want to prevent access to other gaming, wagering or gambling facilities on the internet, visit www.gamblock.com which will help you do so.
- 6. Use a calendar to mark each day that you don’t gamble, so that you can see the progress you are making.