What is Responsible Gaming?
Responsible gaming is about making informed choices and enjoying gambling as entertainment rather than as a source of income or a way to escape problems. It means gambling within your financial means and time limits, and understanding that gambling should be fun, not stressful or harmful.
Key Principles of Responsible Gaming
- Entertainment Value: Gambling should be viewed as entertainment, not as a way to make money
- Informed Choices: Understanding the odds and how games work
- Budget Management: Setting and sticking to financial limits
- Time Management: Setting time limits for gambling activities
- Balance: Maintaining balance with other activities and responsibilities
Signs of Problem Gambling
It's important to recognize potential warning signs that gambling may be becoming problematic:
Spending more time or money than intended
Gambling to recoup losses ("chasing losses")
Lying about gambling habits
Gambling causing stress or anxiety
Borrowing money to gamble
Neglecting responsibilities due to gambling
Gambling to escape problems or negative feelings
Tools for Responsible Gaming
UK-licensed online casinos offer various tools to help you stay in control:
Deposit Limits
Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits to control spending
Time Limits
Set session time limits and receive notifications when reached
Time-Out Periods
Take a short break from gambling (24 hours to 6 weeks)
Self-Exclusion
Block access to gambling sites for longer periods
Account History
Review your gambling activity and spending
Reality Checks
Notifications about time spent gambling
Self-Assessment
Ask yourself these questions to evaluate your gambling habits:
- Do you gamble to escape problems or relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression?
- Have you ever lied to family or friends about how much you gamble?
- Have you ever spent more time or money gambling than you intended?
- Have you ever tried to win back money you've lost (chasing losses)?
- Has gambling ever caused financial problems for you or your household?
- Have you ever felt guilty about your gambling?
- Has your gambling ever led to arguments with people important to you?
- Have you ever borrowed money or sold anything to finance gambling?
If you answered "yes" to several of these questions, it might be time to reconsider your gambling habits or seek support.
Support Resources
If you're concerned about your gambling habits, these organizations can help:
BeGambleAware
Free information, advice, and support for anyone affected by gambling problems
Visit Website
GamCare
Provides support, information, and advice to anyone affected by gambling harms
Visit Website
GAMSTOP
Free service that lets you put controls in place to restrict your online gambling activities
Visit Website