Responsible gambling: it’s about more than money

Helping you play safe - a Slotspilot.com commitment

What is responsible gambling?

7 tips for responsible gambling

• Set a budget and stick to it

  This is one of the most important things you can do to gamble responsibly. Decide how much money you are willing to spend on gambling each week or month, and then stick to that limit.



• Don't chase your losses

  If you lose money gambling, don't try to win it back by gambling more. This is a surefire way to lose even more money.



• Take breaks from gambling

  If you find yourself gambling more than you intended, or if you are starting to feel stressed or anxious about gambling, take a break. Take a few days or even a week off from gambling to clear your head and reset your gambling habits. If you need more time, consider using gambling exclusion services to keep yourself safe.



• Be aware of the odds

  When you are gambling, it is important to be aware of the odds. The odds of winning are always stacked against you, so don't expect to win every time you gamble. Our truth about sports betting and truth about slots guides can give you more information on the truths around gambling to help you bet smart and reduce your risks.



• Don't gamble when you are emotional

  Gambling when you are feeling angry, sad, or stressed can lead to bad decisions. If you are feeling emotional, it is best to wait until you have calmed down before you gamble.



• Do not gamble when you are under the influence of alcohol or other substances

  Alcohol, prescription medication, and recreational drug use (whether legal or not) alters your state of mind and makes you prone to bad decisions. Unless you are calm and thinking clearly, you can and will take more risks in this altered state, which is a big problem when it comes to gambling. Always let any substance leave your system before you start to gamble.



• Seek help if you are struggling

  If you find that you are struggling with gambling, there are resources available to help you. In most countries with legalised gambling, there are many organizations and services offering help and support to people with gambling problems or who are at risk of developing them.

Spotting the signs of problem gambling in yourself and loved ones

• Preoccupation with gambling.

  The person may talk about gambling constantly, or spend a lot of time thinking about it. They may also plan their day around gambling, or make excuses to go gambling.



• Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to get the same thrill.

  This is known as tolerance. The person may start out gambling small amounts of money, but over time they will need to gamble more and more to get the same excitement.



• Trying to control, cut back, or stop gambling, without success.

  The person may try to quit gambling, but they will find it very difficult to do so. They may even make promises to themselves or others that they will stop gambling, but they will eventually break these promises.



• Feeling restless or irritable when they try to cut down on gambling.

  This is a sign of withdrawal. When a person stops gambling, they may experience physical and emotional symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and irritability.



• Gambling to escape problems or relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression.

  The person may gamble as a way to cope with difficult emotions or situations. They may feel like gambling is the only way to escape their problems.



• Chasing losses.

  This is when the person gambles more money in an attempt to win back money they have already lost. This is a very destructive cycle, as it often leads to even greater losses.



• Lying to family members or others to hide the extent of their gambling.

  The person may lie about how much they are gambling, how much money they have lost, or where they have been. They may also try to hide their gambling from others by gambling online or at casinos that are far away.



• Risking or losing important relationships, a job, or school or work opportunities because of gambling.

  The person's gambling may start to interfere with their work, school, or relationships. They may miss work or school, or they may neglect their relationships in order to gamble.



• Asking others to bail them out of financial trouble because they gambled money away.

  The person may borrow money from friends, family, or even strangers to cover their gambling losses. They may also max out their credit cards or take out loans to gamble.

• Gambling addiction treatment programs:

  These programs can provide you with the support and treatment you need to overcome your addiction.



• Gambling hotlines:

  These hotlines can provide you with information and support about problem gambling.



• Gambling counseling services:

  These services can help you understand your gambling behavior and develop strategies to manage it.



• Gambling support groups:

  These groups can provide you with support from people who understand what you're going through.

Getting professional help

Keeping children safe

• Talk to your children about gambling

  Explain to them what gambling is, and why it can be both a fun and enjoyable pastime while also potentially being harmful. Talk to them about the risks of gambling, such as losing money, getting into debt, and developing a gambling addiction.



• Set a good example.

  If you gamble, make sure that you do so responsibly. Don't gamble more than you can afford to lose, and don't let gambling interfere with your work, school, or relationships. Always prioritise the needs of your child over any gambling related activity.



• Monitor your children's online activity.

  Be aware of the websites that your children are visiting, and the games that they are playing. Many online games now include gambling elements, and it's important to be aware of these so that you can talk to your children about them.



• Talk to your children about the dangers of loot boxes.

  Related to monitoring online activity, it’s important to address loot boxes in video games. These are a type of in-game purchase that gives players a random chance of winning a prize. Loot boxes have been linked to gambling addiction, and it's important to talk to your children about the risks before they start buying them.



• Teach your children about financial responsibility.

  Help them to understand the value of money, and how to make wise financial decisions. This will help them to avoid getting into debt, and to make better choices about gambling.



• Use blocking tools to add a layer of protection.

  Using tools such as NetNanny (where available) to block potentially harmful sites from being accessed by children is a great way to help protect kids from problem gambling. While the industry is regulated and most markets have legal minimum age requirements for gambling, unregulated and unsafe sites exist. By installing blocking tools you can keep your child from accessing these sites in the first place.



• Be supportive.

  If you are concerned that your child may be at risk of developing, or have already developed, a gambling problem, be supportive and offer your help. There are many resources available to help children and families who are struggling with gambling problems and can be a big help when dealing with the issue.

Finding financial support for responsible gambling

• Bank of Scotland


• Barclays


• Danske Bank


• Halifax


• HSBC


• LLoyds Bank


• mbna


• Monzo


• NatWest


• Royal Bank of Scotland


• Santander


• Starling Bank

• Debt Advice Foundation


• Debt Support Trust


• MoneyHelper


• National Debt Line


• StepChange Debt Charity

FAQs

• What is responsible gambling?

  Responsible gambling is a set of guidelines you can follow in order to make sure online gambling stays fun and safe.



• How do I gamble responsibly?

  There are several steps you can take to make sure you are gambling responsibly. These include setting budgets, setting time limits, never gambling when you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs, playing purely for fun with money you can afford to lose, and never chasing losses.



• What is problem gambling?

  Problem gambling is a medical condition where a person can’t control their need to gamble, even when it causes them harm. This can have a serious impact on their life, and if you think you might be struggling with it.



• How do I spot signs of gambling addiction?

  The signs and symptoms of problem gambling include a preoccupation with gambling, a lack of control in your play, chasing losses, lying about your gambling habits, developing financial problems through gambling, developing relationship problems through gambling, or experiencing emotional problems caused by your gambling habits.



• Can responsible gambling help me keep track of my spending?

  Yes, responsible gambling can help you keep track of your spending and finances in general. It can help you set and stick to a budget, as well introducing you to tracking tools which can help you track your monthly finances.



• Do banks offer responsible gambling support?

  Yes, most reputable banks do offer assistance when it comes to responsible gambling. This usually takes the form of blocking transactions to gambling sites, but some might also offer financial planning advice if you’re in debt caused by gambling, and general assistance in managing your money.



• Should I teach my children about responsible gambling?

  Yes, it is vital to teach children how to gamble safely if they choose to do so when the law allows them to. You should also be teaching your children about how elements of gambling have entered the video game space, with loot boxes listed as a possible route to the development of gambling addiction.