Safer Gambling : Responsible Tips and Advice

Always view gambling as an alternative to other entertainments such as spending money on concert tickets. Never use gambling as a way to try and make money. Every online game gives the casino a house edge. It' s a mathematical advantage that, in the long run, makes you lose more than you win. The odds of landing a giant payout are a massive thirty-four million to one.

Everyone has expenses to meet, such as rent and fuel bills. If you have anything leftover, it' s yours to spend how you like, even on gambling. But it' s wise to restrict gambling activity to money you won' t miss. Setting a limit before playing is helpful, but you have to be determined to stop gambling once your allowance has gone. The worst thing you can ever do is continue playing to try and regain what you' ve lost.

An effective tip is to limit the amount of time spent gambling. Include regular breaks and be mindful of how long you have been playing. Gambling and online casino games should be a small part of your busy life. Make sure your hobbies are well-balanced and varied. Compulsive gambling that excludes everything else is a sign of becoming a problem gambler.

Casino and bingo games can be good entertainment, so play when you can appreciate them. Being distracted by life' s problems or stimulants such as alcohol ruins your game and your judgement. Clear thinking is often your best ally against problem gambling.

Everyone can benefit from assistance when keeping track of money and time limits. You' ll usually find helpful tools at fully licenced online casinos and bingo sites. Always avoid sites that don' t have a responsible gambling procedure, as they won' t have your best interests at heart. Tools give you the means of setting daily or weekly money limits. They also force you to stop playing when you' ve reach your preferred time limit.

Tools usually include setting deposit limits and reality check alerts to remind you of your limitations when placing a bet. Sophisticated tracking follows your betting activity and the length of time you' ve been playing. It activates a temporary break or cooling off to give you the chance to reassess your gambling. A self-exclusion tool locks you out of the casino for a specified time, ideal if you suspect your gambling behaviour is becoming a problem.

It's helpful if you can identify problem gambling before it takes over your life. Some sites have a self-assessment test, which is quick and easy to do. You simply answers a few questions such as if you' ve neglected your family in favour of gambling and how you feel after a win or a loss. After submitting the form, you soon receive an assessment of your gambling behaviour. Even if you don't think you have a problem, the results can be enlightening. If you would like to take the test before you sign up, access the Self Assessment form here to answer and find out if gambling is the right thing to do for you.

According to the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC), 1.7% of children under the age of sixteen are already problem gamblers. Many of them either access illegal casino sites or use a parent' s online casino account. Registered online casinos have to comply with the UKGC' s guidelines regarding underage gambling. These include verifying a player' s age through a passport or driving licence. Yet you should still follow safer gambling tips and advice to prevent underage gambling.

Never access an online casino when children are present. It' s surprising how quickly they can work out what you' re doing. Avoid autosave for your login details, and always ensure you log out properly. Payment details should never be stored online, and you should always keep your debit card hidden in a safe place.

As a responsible parent, you probably already supervise your children' s time on the internet. But keep them safe from online gambling in unguarded moments by using parental tools. When they are old enough, discuss the perils of illegal online casinos and how they encourage gambling.

Some players are tempted to use other people' s gambling accounts, particularly on a shared device. Safeguard your account by keeping your username, e-mail and casino login details private. Don' t store them on auto-login systems or on the device itself. When you' re needed elsewhere, log out before you go. If you think someone' s using your account, write down your balance and which games you' ve played. Your gaming history can be confirmed when you report your suspicions to customer support.

Anyone can slip into the nightmare of problem gambling, but there are many ways to seek help. There are several organisations offering practical help and support. They' ll also provide assistance if the problem gambler is a relative or friend. Their services are completely confidential, so you don' t need to feel embarrassed or afraid they' ll tell anyonne. These are the most well-known sites:

BeGambleAware.org

BeGambleAware.org is a charitable organisation operating in England, Scotland and Wales. It has almost twenty years of experience in helping people with gambling addictions. The service is completely free to use and it' s available 24/7. You can contact an advisor at any time. There' s a freephone number and a live online chat facility. If you' re not ready to own up to your gambling problems, explore the website and read some of the inspiring real life stories of other people who have suffered from gambling.

Visit BeGambleAware.org

GamStop

GamStop is a not-for-profit organisation providing help for gamblers in the United Kingdom. It' s designed to give you a break from gambling. Once you have registered your personal details, it prevents you accessing every online bingo / casino that holds a UK Gambling licence. You can choose to self-exclude for a minimum of six months. Longer breaks are one year and five years.

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GamCare National Gambling Helpline

GamCare was established in 1997. It' s a charity serving England, Scotland and Wales. Its advisors offer confidential help and support 24/7 by telephone and live chat. You can also communicate with other people who have been affected by gambling. You can join a live online chat room or share gambling experiences through messages in a forum. The organisation also has useful tools for various gambling problems such as how to deal with debts.

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Gamblers Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous has been helping compulsive gamblers since 1957. Friendship and help is offered through the online chat room and forum. Everyone is welcome, including gambling addicts and anyone who is associated with them. You can also find out where in-person meetings are being held.

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Payplan

Gambling debts can destroy your life, but the Payplan service offers worthwhile help. There' s a freephone number where you can seek confidential advice from friendly advisors. They' ll guide you on a practical, workable budget to enhance the assistance you' ve found about controlling addictive gambling behaviour.

Visit Payplan