Responsible Gambling in the UK: How to Play and Stay Safe
Our goal at Match.Center is to provide our players with a great experience. An important part of this is responsible gaming. We believe that gambling should not affect your life or the lives of those around you. We protect underage users from access to illegal resources and help players across the UK who may become too dependent on betting.
It is important to remember that online gaming is primarily a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. Above all, it should provide pleasure and positive emotions.
Why We Support Responsible Play
Compulsive behaviour can have a devastating effect on people and their environment. Gambling carries certain risks, but with the help and protective measures available, it can be minimised. We are committed to actively supporting this area. That’s why we support players and people in the online industry.
The problem gambling rate in the UK may be as high as 2.5% of the adult population, which equates to around 1.3 million people suffering from this problem. According to AddictionsUK, only 5% of those who need treatment actually seek it, often due to a lack of awareness or stigma.
Key Challenges and Effects of Gambling Addiction
- Financial Difficulties. Problem gamblers often accumulate significant debt, affecting their financial stability and leading to severe economic distress.
- Problems at Work. Betting addiction can result in decreased productivity, strained relationships with colleagues, and even job loss due to absenteeism or theft.
- Family Issues. Gambling issues can cause serious problems within families, leading to broken relationships, emotional stress, and a lack of trust between family members.
- Aspects of Mental Health. Those suffering from addiction are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems, exacerbating their condition and making recovery more difficult.
- Criminality. Among affected family members of problem gamblers, 3% reported feeling compelled or forced to commit crimes or steal to fund gambling habits or pay off debts.
How To Play Responsibly?
The UK enforces some of the toughest gambling laws in the world to ensure responsible play. By using available tools, setting limits and moderating gambling activity, players can enjoy the game while reducing risks. Operators must ensure accountable information and tools, verify age and identity, comply with advertising codes, interact with players who show signs of problem gambling, contribute to research and treatment of compulsive behaviours, and comply with UK Gambling Commission regulations.
Rules of responsible gaming:
- Set a time and financial limit for the game, do not overstep the limits
- Expect to lose – the odds are against you and loss is part of the game
- Do not gamble on credit, and do not loan money to place a bet
- If you play, be in good shape physically and mentally
- Create balance in your life, do not prioritise gambling over family, job, friends and hobbies
- Make sure you’re playing for fun
When sports betting stops being fun and starts taking up a lot of your time, you need to take a break.
How to Identify Addiction
Recognising the signs of addictive tendencies is crucial to getting help in time. You can take the necessary steps to address your gambling if you are aware of the warning signs. Here are some tips to help you identify if you or someone you know may need support.
- Avoid Emotional or Alcohol-Influenced Gambling. Do not play when you are emotional or under the influence of alcohol, as this can impair your judgement and lead to risky behaviour.
- Evaluate Your Losses. Assess the impact of betting on your finances and relationships. Frequent losses and mounting debts may indicate a problem.
- Monitor Changes in Behaviour. Be aware of any significant changes in your behaviour, mood or daily routine. Irritability, neglect of responsibilities and secrecy about gambling activities are red flags.
- Take Time Out. Try to take breaks from the game. If you find it difficult to stay away, this could be a sign of addiction.
Gambling Addiction Help
For safe play, the main organisations in the United Kingdom provide resources for free:
GamCare, established in 1997 by Paul Bellringer, shares information, advice, and support for gambling addiction, including the National Gambling Helpline and structured support services. They also work to raise awareness of safer gaming and treatment options within the industry.
GambleAware, established in the early 2000s, focuses on education, prevention, and treatment of gambling harm. They work with the government and NHS England to deliver effective services and reduce gambling-related issues across Great Britain.
Gambling Therapy, part of Gordon Moody since 1971, gives free practical advice and emotional support for gambling addiction. They offer residential treatment, online counselling and a multilingual support app to help individuals and families affected by addictive behaviour.
Responsible Gaming Tools
To play responsibly, the first step is to start with yourself. Begin by asking yourself some critical questions
- Do you borrow money to make a bet?
- Are you gambling more than you can afford to lose?
- Are you annoyed if you can’t bet or if you lose more than usual?
- Do you try to make up for previous gambling losses?
- Have you ever gambled to escape troubles?
- If you have answered yes to any of these questions, it may indicate that you may have an issue with compulsive behaviour.
Please, be honest with yourself and seek the relevant support. There is nothing to be ashamed of.
If you find that you often answer the test questions in the affirmative, here are some ways to help yourself:
- Set a block on your bank cards to prevent transactions with bookmakers or casino operators. Many banks offer this feature to help you control your spending.
- Use services like AdBlock to block advertisements on your phone and computer. This reduces exposure to gambling promotions and helps you avoid temptation.
- Many UK sites also allow you to set time limits on your gaming sessions.
- Implement deposit limits on your gambling accounts to control the amount of money you can deposit over a specific period.
- Activate reality checks that remind you how long you’ve been playing. This will help you stay aware of your gambling activity and encourage you to take breaks.
- Use the self-exclusion feature offered by many betting and casino platforms.
Prohibition of Underage Gambling
The minimum legal age for most forms of online gambling in the UK is 18. Underage participation poses significant risks, including addiction, financial problems, and adverse impacts on mental health. To protect children, use parental control settings to block betting and casino sites. You can also password-protect related apps. Educate children about the risks and maintain open communication. Monitor their online activities regularly to ensure they are not exposed to inappropriate content.