Responsible Gambling

Minors and family controls

Registration by anyone under 18 is prohibited. We verify the age of players, and winnings obtained by an underage player are cancelled.

Parents and carers can use filtering software such as Net Nanny to control a child's internet access. These controls are especially relevant when a computer is shared with family or friends who are not legally entitled to register or bet.

Playing habits

Treat gambling as leisure, not as a source of income. Play only with spare money that you can afford to risk. Keep track of both the time you spend and the amount you use.

A loss is not something you must recover immediately. Do not chase it. Step away if play no longer feels like entertainment or if it begins to affect your finances, relationships, work or studies.

Do not borrow, steal or lie to obtain money for gambling or to cover gambling debts. Money intended for play should never take priority over other needs. Gambling can cause both social and financial harm when control is lost.

Self-check

Consider these questions honestly:

• Does gambling make you miss or neglect work or school?
• Do you play for long periods alone or simply to escape boredom?
• Have family or friends criticized your gambling?
• Have you lost interest in people or activities that used to matter to you?
• Have you hidden how much time or money you spend, or borrowed or stolen to gamble or repay gambling debts?
• Do you keep playing until your money is gone, then try to recover a loss immediately?
• Do arguments, disappointment or running out of money leave you desperate, depressed or wanting to play?

If most answers are yes, you may have a gambling problem. A specialist support organization can help you discuss what is happening and consider your next step. The same questions can be useful if you are concerned about the effect of gambling on someone close to you.

Breaks and self-exclusion

If you need a break or want to self-exclude, e-mail [email protected]. Your account is then closed at the earliest practicable moment. Tell us about any other accounts you hold with us and do not open a new one.

We will make reasonable efforts to prevent new accounts, but you remain responsible for not creating them. We are not responsible for losses on other accounts that you did not disclose.

Support organisations

GamCare provides consultation, advice and practical help with the social effects of gambling.

Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship whose members work on their own gambling problems and support other people with compulsive gambling. It has regional offices around the world.

Gambling Therapy offers support and counselling to people affected by gambling.