How to Play Responsibly at Online Casinos?
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard of responsible gambling. It's mentioned in TV ads by Ray Winstone for Bet365 and Jeff Stelling for Sky Bet. And if you've watched any Premier League games this season, you've more than likely been told to "play responsibly" during the ad breaks. But what does it all mean? And what is responsible gambling, or RG? Today, we will clear up all of that for you. We'll show you how online casinos and sports betting sites are trying to combat problem gambling. We'll also look at various responsible gambling tools available to players in the UK. We aim to help you understand the responsible gambling movement and adopt safer gambling practices. Let's get going…
What is Responsible Gambling?
Responsible gambling's main objective is to help British gamblers stay safe. Most UK players have no problems controlling their gambling and see it as pure entertainment. However, we're all different, and some of us have trouble assessing risk or are unaware of potential harm. That's where the RG movement comes into play. By utilising a nationwide support network, responsible gambling tools, and rules regarding gambling advertising, RG aims to keep gambling fair and fun for all customers.
The UK Gambling Commission is the primary driver of RG initiatives. The UKGC guide to safer gambling shows several ways this is achieved. The guidelines are based on the latest research into UK gambling problems. Firstly, gambling operators cannot use false advertising, time pressure or appeal to young people. Then, all UKGC-licensed gambling operator sites must provide tools to either provide safer gambling or help with problem gambling. The UKGC lists a range of support organisations as a last resort.
This three-pronged approach by regulators helps protect vulnerable players of all ages. It also raises awareness of potential harms among concerned players and gambling businesses. Win or lose, it promotes the message that spending money on gambling should be primarily for entertainment and fun. Whenever a customer loses sight of these things, the whole industry suffers. After all, prevention is better than a cure. So, with all that in mind, let's look at the various responsible gambling tools that can mitigate the risk of problem gambling.
Responsible Gambling Tools
Gambling operators in the UK (meaning the best online casinos and sports betting sites) help their customer base in various ways. They should all provide access to the latest responsible gambling tools and inform customers about their availability. Here, we will cover the technology in place at most UK gambling sites and third-party tools that help tackle problem gambling. After all, those with a gambling problem need all the help they can get…
Time Limits
First, every UK gambler needs ways to limit their playtime. Industry group research has shown that problem gamblers can spend hours on slots or table games, for example. Often, this is to the detriment of all other activities. Therefore, online casinos and betting sites allow gamblers to set daily limits on their play. This can be a strict limit that logs out a player after the specified time has elapsed. Or it can be a pop-up notification that repeatedly reminds players how long they've been gambling.
Deposit Limits
Spending money hand over fist is no good if you can't afford it. And that's especially the case when choosing to gamble your money. Therefore, using deposit limit technology at online casinos and sportsbook sites is wise. This sets a hard limit (of your choosing) on the amount of money you can deposit per day, week, and/or month. By doing this all in advance, you can work out a gambling budget and avoid throwing good money after bad in the heat of the moment. Another one to consider is a loss limit, which does what it says on the tin.
Self-Exclusion
If you gamble too often and lose a significant amount of money, self-exclusion allows you to take a break. This can be momentary, known as a cooling-off period. Or it can be done on a more permanent basis. When you self-exclude, you will be unable to log into your casino or sportsbook account for the specified timeframe. For example, you can choose not to play for a week, a month or a year. You can even blacklist yourself from any given UK gambling site permanently. Your account will be closed, and you will not be able to create a new one with the exact details.
GamBlock and Other Tools
If self-excluding from a single site isn't enough, there are third-party tools that prevent you from accessing any UK gambling site. There are plenty of options you can research, but the most popular one is GamBlock. By enabling it on your home computer, laptop and/or mobile devices, you won't be able to game at any of the sites on GamBlock's list of UK casinos and sportsbooks. This is, of course, a kind of nuclear option. But if you're struggling, it can make all the difference. For this reason, all legitimate UK operators should be registered with GamBlock.
Blocking Gambling Payments
Of course, it's possible to find gambling sites not on GamBlock. And addicts want to gamble regardless of the harm it causes them and others. So, if you can't afford to lose more money, check out the options in your UK bank account, eWallet, or alternative payment method. Each of them, including PayPal, Mondo and Revolut, has facilities for blocking gambling payments. Head to settings on your account to set this up. Alternatively, you can contact the customer support team for guidance on precisely what to do.
Where To Get Help & Support
If you or your loved ones are struggling to keep your gambling under control, there are plenty of addiction treatment and support organisations in the UK. Sometimes, it's beneficial to speak with a neutral professional who can guide you through a challenging time. This is also the case if you are trying to support someone else who is battling their gambling demons. Therefore, our guide to responsible gambling in the UK is worth checking out. There, we've listed all the significant support organisations, including Gamblers Anonymous, GamCare and the Samaritans.
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With an education from the University of Cambridge and while working with iGaming for the last seven years, Stephen has obtained a lot of knowledge about the industry. He usually writes about the different types of online casinos, casino bonuses and various gambling strategies.
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