Safer Gambling FAQs

Last Updated: December 2024

Note: Dr. Weiner only reviews this page's informational content for accuracy. Any website or app recommendations are based solely on the author's opinions.

Responsible gambling is an essential part of gambling in the UK. The UKGC ensures that online UK casinos promote it and make it accessible to players at all times. Taking breaks and setting a budget is crucial to a responsible gambling practice. It's also vital to understand gambling addiction as a whole. The initiative should be taken by casino operators, game providers, and players to educate themselves on how to avoid problem gambling.

Fact-checked by Dr Aaron Weiner

Psychologist and Addiction Specialist Aaron Weiner, PhD, ABPP is a licensed, board-certified psychologist and addiction specialist with experience in hospital administration, public health, and youth drug prevention. Dr. Weiner is the President of the Society of Addiction Psychology, serves on the Science Advisory Board of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, and is a member of the Physician Speakers Bureau for the National Safety Council. Note: Dr. Weiner has reviewed the informational content of this page for accuracy. App and website... Read More

What exactly does responsible gambling mean?

A responsible gambling programme, or safer gambling programme, is an initiative set out by the gaming industry to promote social responsibility. Setting limits on your playtime and time spent online, taking breaks, putting monetary limits on your gambling, and ensuring that gambling is not a source of income are just a few things you can do to keep yourself under control.

What is the best way to gamble responsibly?

The core element of responsible gambling is that gambling should only be seen as an affordable form of entertainment. An essential tip is to never see gambling as a means of earning extra income and only gamble with money you can afford to lose. Gambling should never negatively impact your finances. UK casino operators allow players to set limits on the amount and time spent playing the games. Another tip is to balance gambling with your lifestyle, leaving adequate time for physical and mental activities vital to your welfare.

How to tell if either you or a friend has signs of a gambling addiction?

When evaluating whether you or a friend has problem gambling tendencies, look at the following things:

Worrying about your gambling patterns.
Day-to-day life difficulties that have been caused by gambling.
Wanting to gamble with more significant sums of money or gambling with money you couldn’t afford.
Attempting to win back money that you have already lost.
Hiding your gambling from your loved ones and friends.

For a confidential service, GamCare is a UK-based gambling support service that offers the opportunity to undertake a self-assessment test. They offer you feedback and support if required.

Does problem gambling only apply to casino games such as slot machines and poker?

Gambling problems have no limits. It is not only a problem with traditional casino games. Games of chance like fantasy sports, sweepstakes, and even sports betting pose significant concerns as they are easily accessible.

Is problem gambling only a cause of financial issues?

No. There are two problems with problem gambling, which generally go hand in hand. It is seen as a financial problem that can then result in emotional problems and vice versa. The primary issue of problem gambling is the inability to stop gambling, which is down to the compulsive nature of gambling and habit-forming behaviours.

When setting limits for responsible gambling, what factors should be considered?

When you open up a new account at a UK online casino, they should have tools in place to let you set limits to control your gambling. These limits include the time you spend per session, known as session limits. You can set them for 1 day or up to 1 month. To set your limits, you should analyse the time you have available that lets you gamble comfortably.

A deposit limit enables you to set the maximum amount you can deposit over a pre-determined period. The limit will reset when you reach your next time period. Loss limits let you control the maximum amount of money you can lose over time. If you hit your limit, you can’t place a wager until the next period begins.

The last one is wager limits. Here, you set the amount of wagers you can make over your chosen period. Make sure to factor in the amount of funds you have available for gambling that will not negatively impact you

Why is gambling so addictive and needs controlling?

When we play various games, such as slots, it is pretty standard to find ourselves falling into a pattern. Spinning the reels or earning rewards triggers parts of the brain that can lead some players to addiction tendencies. A compulsive gambler may chase wagers that end in massive losses, using up savings and creating debt.

How can I get help with my gambling addiction?

The UK has one of the tightest regulatory bodies, and any casinos operating with a UKGC licence must include ways for players to self-exclude. When you take this step, casino operators will stop sending you emails. GAMSTOP is a UK-based self-exclusion program where you can set up exclusion periods from 6 months to 5 years. When you register with GAMSTOP, you cannot play at UK-based casinos until your exclusion ends.

Who has responsibility for safer gambling?

The ultimate responsibility lies with the online and offline casino establishments. It will include operators, stakeholders, and regulators. Operators are responsible for maintaining responsible gambling practices so everyone involved, from platform providers to regulators to players and casino game suppliers, understands. Casino providers are accountable for embedding their software into comprehensive management systems that deliver a fair and secure gaming experience.

What age is considered legal for gambling in a casino?

18 is the legal age to gambling in the UK under the Gambling Act 2005.

Is it only irresponsible and weak people who are prone to problem gambling?

This is not always the case. It is very common for people who are gambling addicts to be strong-willed and responsible people. One of the primary causes of gambling becoming addictive is often due to sudden changes in an individual's life, which include work-related issues or even the loss of a job.

How can I best protect my kids from accessing betting sites?

Once you finish on a betting site, always ensure you log out and never leave a device near your kids while the site is open and logged in. Education is key. Speak to them about any dangers associated with underage gambling. Monitor and limit the time spent online and any content they access. You can also add software like the Net Nanny, which is a UK company that will stop your children from accessing any adult content considered inappropriate for minors.

What type of support can I find if I have worries about my gambling?

There are a few entities that will offer player guidance and support to those people with severe gambling addictions and with a completely confidential service. These types of services are free of charge. In the UK, you can access GamCare, BeGambleAware, or the National Problem Gambling Clinic, which provides valuable advice and support about how to practise responsible gambling and also includes ongoing support for gambling addicts.

What can I do to offer help and support to someone I know who I think may have a gambling problem?

The first step to take is to educate yourself about the causes of problem gambling and responsible gambling measures. Being informed will mean you have the details of any available support. However, you must also be prepared for an adverse reaction, which can occasionally get violent due to the subject's sensitive nature. Create a support system before confronting the individual alongside another reliable person or entity in a safe environment.

It is essential to pre-plan for these conversations and undertake them at an appropriate time. For any positive milestones that your loved one has taken, large or small, it is essential to congratulate them. In addition, you must put steps in place to protect yourself. Taking any necessary actions for your personal life, such as changing your passwords and payment information.

Does problem gambling only occur when you gamble daily?

This is not always the case. It is not the frequency of the gambling that defines problem gambling. Instead, any negative impact it may cause on a person's life can relate to occasional gambling. It is more about any psychological, financial, and emotional consequences it causes and how it creates severe issues for those affected.