Responsible gambling – help & advice

Responsible gambling – help & advice

Whichever slot site you choose to play at, it's important that you know your limits. Online slots are enjoyed by the majority of people safely and responsibly. But, where there's a risk of spending more than you intend to, it’s useful to understand the mathematical nature of gambling. You might win on occasions but, over time, you will always lose more, and that's due to RTP (return to player, the 'house edge' of online slots).

Below we’ve compiled some very helpful guidance that details how you can stay safe when playing online slots, and how to recognise if you (or someone you know) is exhibiting signs of problem gambling. We’ve also included details of organisations and resources that can assist with problem gambling and debt management.

If you feel your gambling is getting out of hand and you may require additional support, we urge you to take the advice listed below seriously. It’s easy to get into bad habits and there’s no shame whatsoever in admitting struggles and seeking help.

Safety tips & warning signs

Check out these simple safety tips and warning signs to help keep your gambling in check:

Safety tips

  • Only spend what you can afford. Don't gamble with money you need for rent, bills or other essentials.
  • Set time and money limits. Decide how much you want to spend, and how long you want to play for before you begin. Don’t be tempted to keep playing in the hope of a 'big win' because they rarely happen.
  • Don't let gambling affect personal relationships. Gambling shouldn't get in the way of spending time with family, seeing friends or taking part in social activities and sports.
  • Remember that gambling is not the answer to any problem, and gambling should never be seen as a way to make money, or as an escape from personal issues.

Warning signs

  • Spending more money and time on gambling than you can afford.
  • Finding it hard to manage or stop your gambling.
  • Arguing with family or friends about money and gambling.
  • Losing interest in usual activities or hobbies – going out or spending time with friends, family etc.
  • Always thinking or talking about gambling.
  • Lying about your gambling or hiding it from people.
  • Chasing your losses or gambling to get out of financial trouble.
  • Gambling until all your money is gone.
  • Borrowing money, selling possessions or not paying bills in order to gamble.
  • Gambling with larger amounts of money or for longer to get the same excitement or 'buzz'.
  • Neglecting work, study, family, personal needs or household responsibilities.
  • Feeling anxious, worried, guilty, depressed or irritable.

How to stay safe when playing online slots

There are a whole host of useful tools offered by regulated slot sites that you can take advantage of, even before you’ve made your first deposit and begin spinning the reels of your chosen online slot games.

These tools allow you to safely limit both the amount of money you can spend, as well as the time you spend playing online slots. Even if you don’t feel you have a problem with excessive gambling, it’s still worth using these features.

All of the safer gambling tools that responsible slot sites offer have been listed below with an explanation of what each tool does and how it can help you. 

Deposit limits

Deposit limits do exactly what they say on the tin. They allow you to set a strict limit as to how much money you can deposit into your casino account.

These limits can be set over a specific period of time, so you can set a limit as to how much to deposit over a day, week, month or even a year in some cases.

If you wish to reduce your deposit limit this can usually be actioned right away. However, if you’d like to increase your deposit limit the slot site should only action it after 24 hours, allowing you to decide whether it’s something you really want to do.

Time limits

Time limits are similar to deposit limits in that they allow you to set a fixed amount of time you can spend playing online slots (or other casino games) at that specific slot site. Once this time limit is reached you will no longer be allowed to access any games or wager any money.

This tool is ideal if you get engrossed with games and tend to play their online slots for a sustained period of time. With a time limit, you won’t allow time to slip away from you. 

Reality Check tool

The Reality Check tool is essentially a pop-up that will appear every 20-30 minutes or so when you’re playing online slots (or other casino games). The frequency of the reality check pop-up may vary from site to site and may even need to be enabled in your account settings.

This Reality Check will display essential information such as how long you’ve been gambling for and how much money you’re up or down by in that time. Whilst a simple innovation, this often hits home quite how much money can be lost during a session. 

Cooling off periods

Most slot sites allow you to activate a cooling off period whenever you feel the need to take a break. A cooling off period is a set period of time when you are barred from accessing your account.

Most cooling off periods will allow you to stop gambling for between 24 hours and a week. Once that time is over you will be able to access your account again. 

Temporary exclusions

Temporary exclusions are a step up from cooling off periods. This is essentially a much longer break that would see you locked out of your account for anywhere between 1 and 3 months.

Temporary exclusions are ideal if you may not necessarily have a serious gambling problem but want to ensure you don’t spend any unnecessary funds for a period of time. They’re also a fantastic way to fully understand and discover whether or not you need to take your exclusion further after a few months.

Self-exclusion

Self-excluding from a slot site is the most drastic measure you can take to ensure you can’t gamble at that particular site again. This is recommended for if you feel you really don’t have control over your gambling habits.

You can opt to self-exclude from anywhere between 6 months and 5 years (this may vary from site to site). It should be noted that if players self-exclude from one site, it does not mean they’re self-excluded from others. 

Players that wish to self-exclude from all forms of gambling for a set time should consider signing up to either GamStop or Gamban – details of both can be found further down the page.

Recognising problem gambling

Gambling addiction is a form of impulse-control disorder and those struggling with addiction can find it difficult to cope with the urge to gamble. Sometimes you might not even realise you’re suffering from an addiction until the signs are laid out in front of you. Below, we’ve listed some things to look out for that may indicate a problem that needs addressing. 

  • You’re spending more money than you can afford, leaving you unable to pay for essentials in your day-to-day life. 
  • You’re neglecting day-to-day responsibilities (such as work, family, friends or even basic needs such as eating and hygiene) in order to gamble instead.
  • You’re keeping your gambling habits a secret from those close to you and are not divulging details about how much money you’ve spent.
  • You’re lying about or downplaying the amount of money you’ve spent gambling, maintaining that it’s harmless fun, when in fact it’s having an effect on day-to-day life.
  • You feel that gambling is only worth it if you’re playing with high-stakes.
  • You’re chasing your losses and betting bigger in an attempt to recoup lost money.
  • You’re experiencing anxiety around your gambling habits, or it makes you feel irritable or depressed to think about.

Organisations that can help

If any of the above resonates with you (or someone you know) then we’d highly recommend contacting one of the organisations listed below. 

All of these organisations are based in the UK and offer discreet and confidential services to those suffering from problem gambling. They will not be able to recover losses, but they will be able to offer impartial advice and guidance.

GambleAware

GambleAware offers free, confidential help for anyone worried about their (or someone else’s) gambling habits. They also offer a 24/7 live chat service.

Website: www.gambleaware.org

Phone: 0808 8020 133

GamCare

GamCare is the leading provider of free information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling in the UK. Those in need of help and advice can contact an advisor confidentially over the phone or via live chat online.

In addition to these services, GamCare also has an online forum in which like-minded problem gamblers can talk to each other 24 hours a day with a view to supporting each other.

Website: www.gamcare.org.uk

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0808 8020 133 / 020 7801 7000

Gamblers Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous is the world’s largest organisation that supports people suffering from gambling addiction.

Problem gamblers can attend weekly Gamblers Anonymous meetings in practically every town and city anywhere in the UK or around the world.

Website: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0330 094 0322 (National) / 07771 427 429 (North-East) / 07974 668 999 (North-West) / (028) 7135 1329 (Ulster)

Gordon Moody Association

The Gordon Moody Association is a charity that offers problem gamblers advice, counselling, and online support. Additionally the Gordon Moody Association offers unique structured residential treatment programmes in the UK.

Website: www.gordonmoody.org.uk

Phone: 01384 241292

Gambling Therapy

Gambling Therapy is a free, global online service offering practical advice and emotional support to anyone affected by problem gambling. Gambling Therapy is run by the Gordon Moody Association.

Website: www.gamblingtherapy.org

Email: [email protected]

Big Deal

BigDeal was set up specifically to support young people and help them find information and support related to gambling harm.

Website: www.bigdeal.org.uk

Phone: 0808 8020 133

Websites, software and apps that can help

If you’ve come to the realisation that your gambling is becoming a problem then you may need assistance from a website, software or app that can stop you from signing up to or playing at a slot site altogether. If you’re in the United Kingdom then the organisations listed below can provide this service quickly and efficiently.

GAMSTOP

GAMSTOP is a free service that allows players to put strict controls in place to help restrict their online gambling activities. Players provide their registration details to GAMSTOP who share them with slot sites, if a player then tries to register with one of these slot sites they will be denied, as the operator must first check to see whether that player is on the GAMSTOP database.

Website: www.gamstop.co.uk

GamBlock

GamBlock is a sophisticated piece of paid-for software that allows players to completely block all access to online gambling sites as and when they go online.

Not only was this software developed as a tool to be used by problem gamblers, but it’s also used by businesses, government departments, libraries and educational organisations to ban users from accessing gambling sites whilst on their premises or networks.

Website: www.gamblock.com

Gamban

Gamban is a tried and tested, affordable piece of software that can be installed on Android and iOS devices. This feature blocks access to thousands of gambling websites as well as providing resources to those struggling with problem gambling. There’s a monthly cool off subscription and an annual exclusion subscription. Players can access a free 7-day trial at any time.

Website: www.gamban.com

Self-exclusion.co.uk

Self-exclusion.co.uk is a website that enables problem gamblers to voluntarily self-exclude themselves from physical betting shops across the United Kingdom.

Website: self-exclusion.co.uk

Phone: 0800 294 2060

Organisations that offer support related to gambling debt

If you’ve managed to rack up substantial debts from problem gambling then it can feel like you’re trapped in a situation that feels near impossible to escape. There is help out there, though. Below you’ll find a number of compassionate organisations that offer helpful advice and support for anyone struggling with money problems as a result of excessive gambling.

Step Change

Step Change is a debit management organisation that provides people with completely free, confidential and expert debt advice and money guidance. They help you deal with debt management plans, bankruptcy and debt arrangement schemes.

Website: www.stepchange.org

Phone: 0800 138 1111 

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice is a charitable organisation that acts as a one-stop shop for confidential advice either on the phone or in person. They are able to help people with a multitude of issues, not just debt management as a result of problem gambling.

Website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/gambling-problems/get-help-with-gambling-problems/

Phone: 03444 111 444 (England) / 03444 77 20 20 (Wales)

Debt Advice Foundation

Debt Advice Foundation is a national debt advice service and education charity that offers people free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about their debts.

Website: www.debtadvicefoundation.org

Phone: 0800 043 40 50