Responsible Gambling

Set limits before you start

1. MoneyDecide a monthly amount you can lose without missing anything that matters. Use the deposit limit tools on your betting account.
2. TimeDecide how long you will bet for, and stop when the time is up, winning or losing.
3. No chasingA loss is the cost of the entertainment. Do not raise stakes to win it back.

Warning signs

• You bet more than you planned, or more often.
• You borrow money, sell things or use bill money to bet.
• You hide your betting from family or friends.
• You feel restless or irritable when you try to cut down.
• You bet to escape stress, boredom or sadness.
• You keep going back to win back losses.

If two or more of these sound familiar, it is time to take a break and talk to someone.

Tools bookmakers offer

Licensed bookmakers usually offer deposit limits, reality checks, time-outs and self-exclusion in the account settings. Self-exclusion closes your account for a set period, often months, and should stop marketing too. Ask customer support if you cannot find the option.

Where to get help

Free and confidential help is available. GamCare and BeGambleAware offer information and online chat in English. Gamblers Anonymous runs peer support groups and meetings. Talking to a doctor, a counsellor or someone you trust also helps.

How calculators can help

Calculators show the cost of a bet before you place it: the real chance of an acca, the hidden margin, the true value of a bonus. Use them to slow down, not to justify a bigger stake.

Questions