Responsible Gaming
Even if casino games belong to the entertainment sector, there is a risk that should be taken seriously, and that is gambling addiction. As you are reading this, you might have started to think about your own gambling habits, or just to find more information on the subject.
A general rule of thumb is to never play for money you don’t afford to lose and to never expect to win. Take breaks, limit your gameplay and keep in mind that casino is all about having fun. Also keep track of your gambling habits, as doing so will help you address any issue before it becomes a problem.
Should you feel like gambling costs you more money than expected, or you feel like it has taken a bigger part of your life than it should, we urge you to seek help or talk to someone about it.
You can block yourself from playing in the UK by downloading the software from these companies:
- Betfilter
- Gamban
Looking for support online? There are loads of sites that can help you with your issues and provide help or advice. Here are some examples:
- Gamble Aware
- Gamcare
- Gambling Therapy
- Gordon House Association
- Gamblers Anonymous
- CNWL National Problem Gambling
- Cygnet Healthcare
- QuitGamble.com
Online help if you want to stop gambling
Over 80% of people with gambling problems don’t seek help. There are many reasons, but the most common is fear and pride of admitting a problem, shame, and insecurity. It’s often said that the compulsive gambler needs to reach “rock bottom” before seeking help. QuitGamble.com is an online platform trying to deal with that problem by lowering the threshold to seek help. On QG, members can be anonymous, there is no need to admit any issues, and it’s available 24/7 on mobile apps and desktops. Among the features, you’ll find:
- A self-assessment test called The Happiness Test
- An online community like Facebook, exclusive for problem gamblers
- Animated video courses, exercises, and challenges
- Support groups & forums
- Emails and helpful guides
- A mobile app called Quit Gamble
If you wonder how to stop gambling addiction or want to regain control over your gambling, QuitGamble.com could be a valuable resource for you.
How do I know that I am in the risk zone?
Statistics say that around two percent of the adult population has some kind of gambling issue. It might sound as a small number compared to the majority of players, but there are still a lot of people out there with some kind of addiction. Some warning signs are:
- You are playing with borrowed money
- You are spending more time gambling than desired
- You feel bad or anxious after or while playing
- You increase your wager to keep the excitement
- You try to win back lost money
Casino’s responsibility
The responsible gaming side of playing at a casino is not all on you. Casinos who are licensed by the the UKGC are required to offer responsible gaming tools on their website. For example, you can set limits when you create your account, which will keep you from losing your grip. You can set a loss limit per day, week, or month. You can also exclude yourself from the casino for a certain amount of time or indefinitely. You can also limit the amount of time you can spend in the casino.
Most customer agents on UKGC licensed casinos are trained to offer advice, help, or take necessary action with customers that show signs of gambling addictions. They will provide information, tips, guides and links to affected players free of charge.
Limiting your game play or deposits, as well as taking breaks is key to keep your cool and simply enjoy playing in the casino. Simply enjoying the casino excitement now and then brings out exactly what’s created for: entertainment!
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