SAFER GAMBLING WEEK 2024
At BetUK, we’re proud to support Safer Gambling Week, taking place from 18th - 24th November 2024.
This initiative aims to raise awareness of safer gambling practices, the tools available to assist, and where to find advice and support.
We want you to have fun while staying within your limits, and it's our responsibility to be transparent about the risks associated with gambling. We offer a variety of tools to help you protect yourself from these risks. Safer Gambling Week is a cross-industry initiative to promote safer gambling in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This year we would like to reflect on the following:
• Ask yourself... Are you past your spending limit?
• Remember... Friends & family are more important than gambling
• Remember... Gambling is not a way to make money
• Play smart... Don't chase your losses
• Remember... It's good to set yourself limits
• Remember... It's good to take a break
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS A GAMBLING PROBLEM, PLEASE CALL 0808 8020 133 FOR GREAT BRITAIN OR 08000 886 725 FOR NORTHERN IRELAND.
Safer Gambling Tools
We offer a number of helpful tools to help you gamble responsibly.
Deposit Limit Set the maximum amount you can deposit within a specified time period. Deposit limits can prevent overspending and allow you to maintain control over your gambling budget.
Loss Limit This tool caps the amount of money you can lose each day, week, or month. It also helps reduce the urge to chase losses.
Session Limit Setting session limits enables you to control how long you play, helping you keep track of the time spent gambling.
Wagering Limit By establishing a wagering cap, you can manage the amount you bet over a specific timeframe and prevent any winnings from being gambled again.
Reality Check The reality check tool monitors the duration of your gaming session and reminds you how long you've been playing.
Time Out Take a short break from your account to save money or reflect on your gambling habits. You can set this timeout for a period ranging from 1 day to 6 weeks.
Self-Exclusion If needed, you can opt for a longer break from gambling. We offer the option to self-exclude for a period ranging from 6 months to 5 years, preventing access to your account during this time. Player History This tool gives you a summary of all transactions that have taken place on your account. It includes information about wagers, results, deposits, withdrawals, and pending bets. We encourage you to keep tabs on your history as this can protect you against getting carried away.
Blocking Tools Some third parties offer software that will allow you to restrict your access to any website through which you can gamble. Some include: Gamstop is a free tool that allows people to self-exclude from all UK-licensed gambling websites. Once registered you will be prevented from using gambling websites and apps run by companies licensed in Great Britain, for a period of your choosing. BetBlocker is a UK-registered charity providing free blocking software to help you control your gambling. BetBlocker offers an app for Android, iOS, Windows, Apple, Linux and Fire OS and allows you to block your device from accessing tens of thousands of gambling sites and hundreds of gambling apps for 24 hours up to 5 years. No sign-up is required to use BetBlocker.
Myths, Risks, and Signs Myths Associated with Gambling You or someone around you might have heard certain myths when it comes to gambling and believe them to be true. The list you will find below is not exhaustive, but it will help you in recognising some of the most common myths: The more someone gambles, the more their luck changes. Gambling with higher stakes will ensure getting the player’s money back. There is a “lucky day” that every player has once in a while. Gambling on more than one slot or casino game at a time increases the chances of winning. Developing a special strategy helps players win. Knowing a certain slot or casino game well increases the chances of winning on that game. It's not possible to become addicted to gambling. To experience problems with their gambling levels, a player needs to gamble every day. A player can’t be addicted or experience gambling problems, if they can afford the money they are losing. Only irresponsible people become addicted to gambling. Problem gambling is easy to recognise.
Risks Associated with Gambling There are risks associated with gambling that can negatively affect your life and the life of your family. If you don’t gamble within safe limits, you potentially might be at risk of: Losing more money than you can afford, or you have budgeted for. Spending more time on gambling than you have intended, and missing out on important events and tasks in your daily life. Neglecting your family and friends. Experiencing decreased self-esteem and increased stress and anxiety. Gambling to escape from reality and/or improve your mood. Developing a preoccupation or fascination with gambling and getting a rush from gambling with increasingly large bets. Heightening states of euphoria which may affect your judgement.
Warning Signs of a Gambling Problem There are several signs that may indicate you or someone you care about is starting to develop unhealthy gambling habits or a gambling addiction. These may include: Gambling beyond your financial limits Difficulty stopping or controlling gambling Frequent arguments with friends or family about gambling Losing interest in activities you previously enjoyed Constantly thinking or talking about gambling Lying about gambling habits Gambling to solve financial problems Gambling until all available money is gone Borrowing money, selling possessions, or neglecting bills to fund gambling Neglecting important responsibilities, such as work, personal needs, or household duties to gamble Experiencing anxiety, worry, guilt, depression, or irritability related to gambling
Tips for Safer Gambling
Remember…
Your friends and family should come before gambling Never let gambling interfere with your personal relationships. If you ever feel the urge to conceal or lie about your gambling, consider reaching out to a gambling helpline for support.
Set limits - and stick to them Stay in control. Choose how long you want to play for and how much you want to spend.
Don’t gamble to make money Although you might get lucky occasionally, gambling is not a reliable way to earn money. Only stake what you can comfortably afford to lose, and never gamble with money needed for essentials like bills.
Don’t chase your losses Play smart…if you have experienced a loss, do not continue gambling in an attempt to recover what you lost. It will only make things worse.
Take time out If you think you need a break, step away for a while. Always take a moment to stop and think before you start playing.
Safer Gambling Week and Beyond
Although the campaign runs from 18th - 24th November, it's essential to stay committed to safer gambling all year round. Learn more about Safer Gambling Week 2024 or explore our safer gambling tools and resources for ongoing support.
Gaming at BetUK should be fun and we take our responsibility to protect you very seriously. If you need to talk about this at any time, please feel free to contact our trained staff. We encourage everyone to be aware of the different limit tools available to them and to seek help whenever they feel they can’t cope on their own. Alternatively, you can always visit LeoSafeplay - our website dedicated to safer gambling.