Things Welsh People Should Know About Responsible Gambling
It’s been a tough couple of years for people in Wales and looking at the looming energy crisis, the worst might be yet to come. Who would have thought that after COVID-19, the world would voluntarily enter yet another phase of global tumult?
When times are tough, people seek a vent to release stress, fear, and uncertainty. Often, gambling seems like the perfect tool.
If done right, gambling is a fun activity and perfect to clear your mind. However, the line between joyful betting and problem gambling is thin, and it’s important to understand what it means to play responsibly.
Online Casinos Provide Tools to Gamble Responsibly
When thinking about online casinos, you probably think of video slots, live dealers, and bonus offers. Ultimately, signing up with a casino site means indulging in the perfect gambling experience.
However, many players don’t know that all gambling sites in the UK also offer tools to keep your habits under control. Thanks to the Gambling Commission, operators have a duty to protect their customers rather than exploit their weaknesses.
These tools include various features, such as deposit and loss limits per day/week/month, time limits, cool-off periods, and temporary (and permanent) self-exclusion.
Usually, online casinos should prominently promote their responsible gambling tools, but not all do so. If you cannot find more information after logging in, please get in touch with the website’s customer support and ask for help.
Self-Exclusion Includes All Sister Sites
Self-exclusion is the ultimate resort for controlling your gambling habits. It means that you exhausted all other options, yet you’re still unable to gamble responsibly.
When you choose to self-exclude from an online casino, you need to make a request in writing and state the period. Usually, you can choose to ban yourself from that online casino for 3, 6, or 12 months. If you feel that you won’t be able to change your behaviour, you can also request a permanent ban.
Here, it’s important to remember that if you self-exclude from one online casino, it will automatically ban you from all their sister sites and other online casinos within the same jurisdiction.
How to Spot Gambling Addiction
The tricky thing about gambling addiction is that most people struggle to spot it or refuse to accept it. Like alcoholism, most players believe they have their gambling habits under control until they don’t.
Luckily, it’s not difficult to spot the signs of gambling addiction, and you can get key insights by answering a few questions. These include:
- Do you bet more than you can afford to lose?
- Have you borrowed money to fund your gambling activities?
- Are you avoiding social events to keep gambling?
There are more questions, and you can read more about them on the NHS website. There, you will find self-help tips and phone numbers from treatment centres.
What’s important to understand is that gambling addiction is a disease, and you’re certainly not alone. Don’t shy away from seeking help, as (online) gambling should be fun rather than destructive.