What is Safer Gambling?

Safer gambling is a term used to describe both safe and responsible behaviour around gambling. Put simply, it's to ensure that anyone who decides to use an online or high street bookmaker, only bets what they can afford to lose. It is essential that it does not impact any other aspects of your day to day life. This can happen in a high street bookmaker or online, however, since we operate websites only, we will be discussing this in terms of 'online gambling' only (all links and resources can be utilised regardless):

Things to look out for, that may indicate problem-gambling:

• spending money and/or time on gambling than you cannot afford
• finding it hard to stop gambling
• arguments with friends/family about money and gambling
• a loss in interest in hobbies
• always thinking or talking about gambling
• lying about your gambling (especially losses) and hiding your gambling from others
• chasing losses to try and get back to where you started
• borrowing money, selling personal items and not giving priority to household bills and cost of standard living
• needing to gamble more or with larger values to get the same feeling of excitement or buzz
• neglecting hobbies, work, education, family or household responsibilities because of online gambling

 

What Tools & Resources Can I use to Help?

GambleAware: GambleAware offers free and confidential help and advice for anyone who is worried about gambling, in regards to gaining help for themselves or another person.

Gamstop: GAMSTOP lets you put controls in place to restrict your online gambling activities. You will be prevented from using gambling websites and apps run by companies licensed in Great Britain, for a period of your choosing.

GamCare: GamCare are a national UK provider of free information/advice including live chat, self help tools and treatment.

Gambling Therapy: Gambling Therapy is a global service offering free practical advice and emotional support to anyone affected by problem gambling

Gamblers Anonymous: Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to do the same. This site offers various aids for the compulsive gambler including a forum, a chat room, literature and most importantly a meeting finder. Their national helpline number is 02073 843040.

National Gambling Helpline: The confidential charity based helpline is open 24 hours a day and is free to call at 0808 8020 133 - providing advice for anyone effected by problems relating to gambling.

Money Advice Service - This is an independent government service helping people manage their money.

Debt Advice Foundation - A UK charity offering free advice and confidential support.

 

Self Help Tools

Most licensed and regulated bookmakers feature tools to help assist in issues relating to gambling - these include setting deposit limits and cooling off periods, as well as self-exclusion options. The tools available vary across each bookmaker but links are generally found on their main page or in the FAQ/Help sections of each website. You can see an example of some excellent tools to help you stay in control of your gambling here (bet365).

Time outs

Time-outs are available on all licensed/regulated bookmakers online allowing a user to continue to play but set 'rest periods' to give a break from using their websites.

Online gambling websites must offer this facility for the following periods:

• 24 hours
• one week
• one month
• any other period that a customer might request up to a maximum of six weeks. 

Self-exclusion

Self exclusion can be used on any regulated/licensed bookmaker online, where you can ask to be excluded from betting for at least six months. This can be used if you think you have a problem with online gambling and want to stop.

Once you have entered in to a a self-exclusion agreement, the gambling firm must close your account and return all funds in the account that are available to you. Your name and details must then be removed from any email/marketing promotions.

 

Resources around the World:

While most of our website visitors are from the UK (and able to use the resources above) we realise that we have visitors from across the world, so we've gathered some fantastic local help resources for different countries:

AUSTRALIA - Gambling Help Online - Gamble Responsibly - Call Gambler's Help; National Gambling Helpline: 1800 858 858 or visit GamblingHelpOnline. 18+ (
2023: Whats gambling really costing you? )
BRAZIL - Jogadores Anônimos
BRAZIL - Virando o jogo
CANADA - Responsible Gambling
CYPRUS - Responsible Gaming
DENMARK - Center For Ludomani
ESTONIA - Hasartmängusõltuvuse Nõustamiskeskus
GERMANY - BZgA
GREECE - KETHEA-ALFA 
GREENLAND - Center For Ludomani
IRELAND - www.GamblingCare.ie
ITALY - Gioca Responsabile
NETHERLANDS - Wat kost gokken jou? Stop op tijd. 24+, loketkansspel.nl (livesportweb network is not currently offering any promotions to NL)
NORWAY - Hjelpelinjen
SPAIN - Jugadores Anonimos
SPAIN - JugarBien
SPAIN - JuegoSeguro
SWEDEN - Stodlinjen
REST OF THE WORLD - GamblingTherapy
UNITED KINGDOM - GambleAware
UNITED KINGDOM - GamCare