You can have a lot of fun gambling. Betting on your favourite sports and players, then watching to see if you win, is exciting, and, if you’re lucky, you will get some wins. But nobody should take betting lightly. It doesn’t take much to find yourself in a hole and discover you suffer from problem gambling. Fortunately, you can avoid pitfalls if you are in charge of what you do and are fully aware of the risks, warning signs, and tools to help you bet safely.
If you need help, seek it immediately. However, by following the guidance and advice provided here, you will have all of the information you need to gamble responsibly at your favourite betting sites.
What is Responsible Gambling?
Responsible gambling is a vital aspect of betting. It gives you a suite of tools and measures to prevent you from gambling too much. The overarching aim of these measures is to ensure you don’t overspend your bankroll and end up in trouble. There are different aspects that go into responsible gambling as a whole:
- All betting sites must adhere to the UK Gambling Commission’s rules. They are there for a reason and have been designed to keep bettors safe. Some of these regulations include limits and caps to protect their members.
- The players must also assume some responsibility for their activities. Groups and sites can put all of the necessary self prevention methods in place, but it is up to users to take advantage of these tools and know when to quit.
- There are numerous problem gambling groups available, so you can talk with people who will have a lot of empathy and understanding of your situation.
All of these options are available for you in the UK. If used properly, you will greatly reduce ever running into problems with gambling.
UKGC Rules & Regulations
The UK Gambling Commission is the body responsible for handing out licenses and overseeing the UK gambling industry, regulating both online and land-based gambling activities. It has a reputation as one of the strongest regulators in the world, and any site that obtains a license from the UKGC signifies that it can be trusted. The UKGC has lots of rules that ensures licensees keep their players safe.
Any sites found to have flouted the rules can face heavy fines or even have their licenses revoked. This threat encourages operators to strictly follow the rules. Some of the UKGC’s rules include:
- Gambling Tools: Every betting site must have tools in place that have limits on the number of bets you can place and what you spend. They must also offer cool-down periods and self-exclusion options.
- AML (Anti-money laundering) Policies: These are the internal control procedures operators must have to safeguard deposits and withdrawals to prevent crimes such as terrorist financing and money laundering.
- KYC Process: All licensed UK betting sites must ensure anybody betting on their platforms are of legal gambling age, and no identity fraud is occurring. This means having a robust KYC check in action, usually before you can withdraw.
- Clear T&Cs: All bonus and promotions must have clear, concise T&Cs. They must no be hidden but clearly visible so users know exactly what they are getting in to when claiming a promo. Maximum wins and withdrawals should be clearly stated.
- Gambling Advertisement Rules: The UKGC wants to protect younger bettors, those just over 18, from too many gambling adverts. It has several measures in place so younger players aren’t easily swayed into claiming worthless bonuses.
- Partnerships With Gambling Programs: UKGC-licensed betting sites must be affiliated with problem gambling groups such as GamStop. This means that if you feel yourself slipping, you can remove yourself from all UKGC-licensed and GamStop-affiliated brands, whether online or land-based.
There are lots of other measures the UKGC has in place to keep your personal and financial details safe when betting, such as not accepting credit card deposits.
What are Responsible Gambling Tools?
As we have mentioned above, the UKGC has lots of strict regulations in place to ensure you can gamble safely at licensed sites. There are also tools you can utilise to keep you on the straight and narrow. Let’s take a look at the tools at your disposal and how they work.
Reality Checks and Session Limits
You can easily get lost in a gambling bubble, but by setting up reality checks, you will be reminded of the real world at intervals determined by you. These could be every 20 minutes or every 3 hours. There are also session limits, where it won’t be possible to continue betting until a time period you have already set has expired.
Self-Exclusion Options
Self-exclusion tools are a great way to give yourself some time away if you feel you are slipping into problem gambling issues. Most UK gambling sites provide their own self-exclusion tools that you can use by contacting their customer support teams. You can totally block your account for months, and you can’t access it again until the time period that has been agreed has elapsed. They are the next level up from cooling-off periods.
Cool-off Periods
Talking of cool-off periods, if you think you’ve spend a bit too much over a short period, but still feel in control, than a smaller time away might work. Once triggered, you won’t be able to access your account for a small period. This could be hours, days, or weeks. Once that time has passed, you are free to bet again.
Betting Caps and Limits
All UKGC-licensed bets will support wager caps and limits. The best thing to do is set these before you start betting. Wager loss and limits affect what you can bet and lose, and if you reach the maximum limit, customer service is unlikely to allow you to change the limits. Deposit caps are also sensible as they put a cap on the amount of money you can put into your account.
How to Tell if You Are Gambling Responsibly
Some people could be oblivious to the fact that they have entered problem gambling territory, and it may take a family member to have a chat to make them realise. However, there are also some things to consider that may highlight that you are running into problems:
- Do you try and hide your gambling habits from family and friends?
- Do you play every day? Can you take days off without a problem and not even think about gambling?
- Do you get overly annoyed when you lose and then start to chase those losses?
- Are you asking people to borrow money to fund your gambling habits?
If the answer is yes to any of those questions, it should give you an idea that it is time to start putting a lot of the measures available in place. Also, keep referring to these questions every few months as a reminder of where you stand.
Problem Gambling Support Groups
If you have realised that it has gone past the point of recovery, the sensible thing to do is to step away. Putting blocks or limits on your account may not be enough. It is for circumstances such as this that gambling support groups are in place. Here are the details of some of the most prominent groups.
- Gamblers Anonymous UK: This UK group covers England, Wales, and Ulster. There is no appointment needed; men or women can show up and discuss their issues with people going through the same thing. There are separate groups available for Scottish and Irish players.
- GamCare: This charity was created to provide 24/7 advice and counselling for those who need urgent help to quit gambling. They have attentive staff who provide excellent advice via WhatsApp, live chat, telephone, and a 24/7 forum.
- GambleAware: GambleAware is an independent charity that offers treatment services. They have put significant research into understanding how issues arise and then how to deal with them. You can contact them on 0808 8020 133.
The staff at these groups are all experienced and empathetic to every situation. There is no harm at all in reaching out and asking for support.
