Safer Gambling

Safer Gambling is viewed by many as a form of entertainment, offering excitement about potentially winning large sums and allowing players to interact with others through live casino games. However, not everyone has the same experience with gambling. For some, casinos can be a source of stress and emotional harm while also causing them financial difficulty.

People with gambling problems have always existed, but in this day and age, when online casinos are available at the swipe of a phone screen, it’s easier than ever for someone to develop an addiction. This necessitates that online casinos offer player protection measures and responsible gambling tools. In the UK, player protection is on quite a high level. All local online casinos operate under gambling licenses from the UK Gambling Commission, which requires the platforms to offer easy access to responsible gambling limits and support organisations. However, we want to tell you about the telltale signs of gambling addiction and how you can curb it before it gets serious. Let’s get into the guide and see how we can all stay safe when gambling online.

What is Responsible Gambling?

Responsible gambling refers to the practice of someone using gambling as a form of entertainment but also staying in control of the time and money spent on a platform. This also includes knowing all of the risks that come with gambling, as well as the ability to set limits that protect you from overspending.

Gambling can mean something different to people worldwide, but we’ve made a list of some core principles that you should always keep in mind if you want to stay safe and in control while gambling. Here’s more:

Gambling is a source of entertainment only. The moment you stop seeing it as entertainment and actually consider it as an option to earn an income, you’ve moved into dangerous territory. With this activity, you can never know when the next win will come, and losses are always a possibility, so it should not be seen as something that will give you a steady income.
Gambling means setting personal limits. Even if your preferred gambling platform doesn’t offer any responsible gambling tools, you should be able to limit your spending during a session or period. This means determining a budget and a timeframe for your gambling and actually sticking to it.
Gambling means taking regular breaks. No one can gamble with a clear mind if they spend hours upon hours chasing losses. When you take a break, you actually give yourself time to think about your betting strategy and reconsider your goals for your gambling journey. This also means keeping track of the time or money spent on gambling.
Gambling should never include chasing losses. Players can sometimes get carried away wagering at tables or slots, thinking that the next winning round is just around the corner. In reality, no one can really tell when the next winning round will come. So, there’s no point in trying to chase losses, as they can only lead to bigger financial and emotional problems.
Gambling means always being on top of your emotions. If you notice that your wagers are causing you more stress than entertainment, it’s wise to take a break and continue whenever you feel ready. You should also put emotions aside and focus on staying within comfortable limits so that you don’t end up making emotional wagers that will simply lead to losses.

Responsible gambling is not only something you need to know for yourself but for others as well because a helpful hand and some advice can really go a long way. If you want to know how to gamble responsibly, be sure to consult with help organisations and read the regulations for your country. That’s the only way to ensure that you’re protected at all times.

Responsible Gambling Tools

One of the things that we have mentioned above is the recommended use of responsible gambling tools. If you’re new to online casinos, it’s understandable that you might not know what these tools can be used for. We’re here to tell you that even when it comes to players without gambling issues, we highly recommend using these tools.

If not to stay within comfortable gambling lines, the tools can help you prevent overthinking about the time and money you spend gambling. Once you set the limit on your profile, it will automatically be in effect for as long as you want it to. But there are various limits you can explore, depending on your needs. Here’s more on the common responsible gambling tools you’ll find at online casinos:

Deposit limit: This tool lets you limit the maximum amount you can deposit in a day, week, or month. Once you set the limit, it takes a while for it to come into effect, but it also makes it challenging to change the limit to prevent problem gamblers from spending too much.
Loss limit: This tool lets you set the maximum amount you can lose within a set timeframe. Once you hit your, for example, monthly limit, you will no longer be allowed to make bets, as any further betting can lead to more losses.
Wager limit: Wagering limits tell the online casino exactly how much that player can afford to spend in a set period. Once the player hits the limit, they will no longer be allowed to make any bets, at least not until the limit resets.
Session limit: These limits can be very helpful for players who can get carried away while betting and spend too much time on a platform. Once you limit the time you want to spend on the platform, the casino will automatically lock your access to the lobby once you hit the limit.
Reality check: If you decide to turn on reality checks, the casino will send pop-up messages to your profile to tell you exactly how much time and money you’ve spent since you signed in. This helps you stay on top of your spending.
Cool off: These are helpful tools, also called time-outs, that allow you to take short breaks. If you set the account’s cool-off feature, you will not be allowed to use any of the other features for 24 hours to several weeks. You can take this time to consider your betting strategy.
Self-exclusion: Unlike time-outs that last only up to a few weeks, self-exclusion prevents you from accessing your account anywhere from six months to five years. All UK casinos have self-exclusion programs, and once a player signs up, they cannot change their status before the self-exclusion runs out. Similarly, not cancelling the self-exclusion will also extend it for a further 6 months or more, causing you to be locked out for longer.
Account history: Many accounts provide you with the history of your deposits, losses, wagers, and other statistics that can help you decide if your gambling is within reasonable limits. You can’t make any changes to the histories, as the casino crafts them automatically based on your use of the casino.

There can also be other limits at specific casinos, while some platforms choose to offer only a few of the tools we’ve mentioned above and not the entire list. The best thing would be to look for a platform that offers at least a few of these measures that you believe would help your gambling urges.

Recognizing the Signs of Gambling Addiction

Do you think that you are developing a gambling addiction? If you’ve never dealt with such issues before, we are here to tell you that you need to take action right away because all types of addiction can cause more harm than good to your life overall.

Still, recognizing the early warning signs of gambling addiction is important if you want to stay in control. Here is a list of emotional, behavioural, and financial signs that someone struggles with too much gambling:

Behevioural Signs

Gambling for longer periods or more often than before.
Chasing losses and continuously trying to recover from unsuccessful wagers.
Feeling ashamed of telling your friends or family about your gambling activity.
Prioritizing gambling over all kinds of social activities or responsibilities.
Focusing on gambling more than work, studies, or family.
Trying to stop gambling without any success.

Emotional Signs

Feeling anxious and irritable when you don’t have time to gamble.
Using gambling to escape stress, depression, or other emotional difficulties.
Experiencing mood swings that depend on the success of your wagers.
Avoiding family and friends to spend more time on gambling.
Feeling guilty or ashamed of being a gambler.
Not feeling comfortable sharing your activities with anyone.

Financial Signs

Trying to sell possessions or borrow money to use it on gambling.
Taking out significant loans to cover gambling losses or to gamble more.
Not being comfortable explaining your debts or missing funds to anyone.
Regularly maxing out your bank accounts.
Relying on others to cover day-to-day expenses.

These are only some of the signs that can tell you if someone is dealing with a gambling addiction, even if they don’t want to share. However, addiction can look different with everyone. Some people hide it well, while others crumble under the pressure. Therefore, it’s essential to remain civil and understanding when discussing problem gambling with anyone.

Support Organizations Available for Brits

If you or someone you know is dealing with a gambling addiction, there are many organizations and resources that you can use to stay on top of it. Most of the resources we’ll share below are free of charge, but they allow you to attend therapy sessions, set limits, and use practical tools to curb your addiction. Here’s more on the organizations we recommend:

Gambling Support	Website	Phone Number	Availability
BeGambleAware	begambleaware.org	0808 8020 133	24/7
GamCare	gamcare.org.uk	0808 8020 133	24/7
National Gambling Helpline	N/A	0808 8020 133	24/7
GamStop	gamstop.co.uk	0800 138 6518	10 AM – 8 PM
Gamban	gamban.com	N/A	24/7
Gamblers Anonymous	gamblersanonymous.org.uk	0330 094 0322	24/7

These organizations are a great place to start if you determine that you’re moving into dangerous territory with your casino gambling. Some of them can provide tailored assistance in the form of therapy sessions, while others, like GA, have step-by-step programs that can help you eliminate your gambling issues.

For all the websites listed above, you can also find live chat support, as well as email support, in case you prefer not to use phone conversations. The answers will come equally as quickly, so you don’t have to worry about not getting the help you need.

Building a Safer Gambling Future

Creating a safer gambling environment isn’t just a regulatory requirement — it’s a social responsibility that all of us members of the gaming ecosystem share. Whether you are a casual player, a gambling operator, or your loved ones are dealing with gambling problems, getting and providing help and guidance can make all the difference.

Gambling should be a source of fun and entertainment; it should never threaten your well-being. We believe that this guide can help you understand the importance of your safety, but even if you slowly realize you are dealing with an issue, don’t forget – you are not alone, and we are here to help you each step of the way.

Reach out and get help today – the first step is the most crucial step towards recovery Gambling