Gambling is fun indeed, but any fun must be within limits. Choosing to gamble online is an independent decision taken by the users, but we request all the users to gamble online responsibly. You must be responsible and must not spend more than what you can afford and also be careful not to develop an habit or get addicted to online gambling which is unhealthy.
Similar to gambling in land based high-fi casinos, or even in bingo halls, online gambling also must comply with UK Gambling Laws. By Law, you must be over 18 years of age to gamble online and every online casino website has a strict policy and measures in place to avoid this violation and to ensure that under age gambling is avoided to protect minors from getting addicted. We want to alert you that anyone gambling under the age of 18, can be reported to the police and your winnings withheld.
Even with strict processes and measures in place to avoid such underage gambling, it is also imperative that parents be cautious and aware of their children’s online activities and be aware of what they accessing on the internet and put all the blocks and filters on their computers and other devices at home so that children do not come across these sites and protect them from such risks.
Apart from underage gambling, online casino sites also have several checks in place to help players gamble responsibly and we take a look at these measures as it is important we understand them and abide by them.
Self-Exclusion
Self-limiting or control over one’s urges is very difficult to master. For this reason, online casino provide the players with an option to self-exclude oneself from their casinos or even a particular casino game you feel you are addicted to or cannot hold yourself from spending on it. So you can with this feature, exclusive yourself from any particular game on a casino website or even from the entire website or websites , so that even when you visit the site, you will not be allowed to log in and play.
This self-exclusion period usually vary with each casinos, but mostly its period of 6 months. Therefore this will help one to limit the amount of time they spend or the money they spend on online casino or a particular game, which will help in protecting one from getting addicted or losing money.
Once can also adjust their internet settings in their home computers / laptop and other devices to filter and block gambling sites so that even when you feel the urge to visit the setting on your device simply blocks these sites.
There are also independent organisation that offer help and support over online gambling addiction. Some of them are listed below for your convenience.
GamCare
GameCare is an independent organisation that offers advice on problem gambling and they provide this support to all via their website and also helpline number. They offer free counselling to anyone who seeks it with any gambling issues.
Tel: 0808 8020 133
Site: www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware
Sometimes what starts as fun and enjoyment may get out of hand very soon and without us knowing or be in control of. Gamble Aware is one such organisation that helps with loads of information and ways or steps you can put in place to gamble responsibly so that you are always in control. This organisation provides support for both offline land based gambling problems as well as online and one can or rather must visit their website and learn more details. Site: www.begambleaware.org
Gamblers Anonymous
This is one of the most popular and known organisation who offer their service world – wide. This organisation brings people with gambling problem together and help them with any addiction related issues.
This organisation has several support groups through the world , where users can join this anonymously and get support. You can visit : gamblersanonymous.org for more information on this group and how you can join them.
Set yourself limits
Apart from such measures from online casino and also several independent organisation, players themselves can start from themselves and take steps to make sure you do not spend more than your limit both the time and money by following some simple steps:
Setting Deposit Limits
This is something each player can set in their playing account on all the online casino. You can set a limit how much you can deposit in certain casinos yourself. This limit can be set per day or week or even monthly. This way, even if you are tempted and want to deposit on any casino that you are playing, and have already reached the limit set by you already, you will not be able to. So this works like an safety net for you if in case you go overboard.
Setting Loss limits
If as a player you do not want to set a deposit limit, you can also set up a loss limit. This means, you can set a limit of losses you are willing to take or can stomach , and if unfortunately you reach that specific limit set in a period of time, your account will be paused not be able to deposit or bets more. So this method will certainly stop you from chasing any losses you may have incurred, and instead of running a risk of losing more, trying to make that money back, it will simply put a stop to it.
You can set this limit on a slot level or on the whole site as well. Most casinos provide both the option.
Self Check List to be sure if you are Gambling Responsibly
You will need to seek advice if the answers to some of the questions below are a YES:
- Are you staling money to gamble online?
- Do you feel you are spending more time playing and gambling online rather than spending time with families or friends or engaging any other activities you were earlier doing?
- Do you feel like you are gambling more and are having to lie about it?
- Are you borrowing money to spend on online casino?
- Do you feel like you need to chase your losses and end up losing more?
- Do you feel sad when you stop gambling online and feel like you need to keep doing it more?
- Are you using your saving to play online casino?
- Are you feeling sad, depressed and even suicidal when you stop playing in online casino?
Online gambling started as a way of fun and excitement and you must keep at this. If at pint in time you feel things are getting out of hand or facing issues, you must immediately put in measures to help you and seek professional advice to help you.