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Safer Gambling Week is an annual initiative dedicated to promoting responsible gambling practices and raising awareness of the potential harms associated with excessive gambling. Led by the UK Gambling Commission, this week-long campaign encourages individuals to gamble responsibly and seek help if they or someone they know is struggling with a gambling addiction. Resources are also promoted and provided for individuals and families affected by such gambling addictions.

Here at MERKUR, we always want you to play responsibly and safely, all year round. That’s why for Safer Gambling Week we have assembled the following advice and tips for responsible gambling, as well as what you can do to seek assistance for a gambling addiction affecting yourself or someone you care for.

Responsible Gambling

Responsible gambling involves making informed choices and setting limits to ensure that gambling remains a source of entertainment and fun, not struggle. It’s about understanding the potential risks and taking steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from the potential negative consequences of excessive gambling. By understanding the principles of gambling safely, players can enjoy gambling without compromising their financial well-being or personal relationships.

• Set yourself limits to establish clear boundaries on the amount of time and money you allocate to gambling. Adhere to these limits and avoid exceeding them. Only gamble money you can afford to lose.
• Remember that gambling is supposed to be fun. Gambling should be a form of entertainment, not a means to generate income. Keeping hold of that perspective, even when games aren’t going your way, should help you to avoid bad habits.
• Prioritise other responsibilities by balancing gaming with other important aspects of your life, such as work, family, and social activities. Prioritising other aspects of your life can help you maintain a healthy perspective and reduce the risk of excessive gambling.

How to Gamble Safely

Practicing safer gambling starts with being mindful of your own behaviours and habits and identifying areas that could potentially be a risk when it comes to gaming. Through being self-aware, you can take the right steps towards gambling responsibly, such as by considering the following advice.

Financial Management

• Set a budget before you start gambling that you can comfortably afford to lose. Stick to this budget and avoid exceeding it, even if you’re winning.
• If you experience losses, resist the urge to chase them by gambling more to try and win them back. Chasing losses can lead to further financial difficulties and make a gambling addiction worse. Take a break and return to gaming when you’re in a calm and rational state of mind.
• Never borrow money to gamble. This can lead to a cycle of debt and financial instability. As mentioned, only play with what you can afford to lose to make sure you keep having fun and don’t have to worry about your gaming’s consequences.
• Track your spending to monitor your money habits and identify any potential issues before they become serious.

Time Management

• Set time limits for your gambling sessions. Stick to these limits and avoid exceeding them, even if you’re having fun.
• Take regular breaks from gambling to clear your head and reassess your situation. Stepping away from the tables or slot machines allows you to refocus and avoid too many impulsive decisions.
• Pace yourself. Gamble at a moderate pace and avoid rushing decisions. Take your time to consider each bet – would it be sensible to play one more time, or would it be better to step away for the moment?

Emotional Well-being

• Maintain perspective. At the end of the day, gambling is supposed to be for fun and entertainment, not as a means to escape problems or ease stress. When the fun stops, stop.
• Avoid gambling when upset or stressed. Gaming when feeling like this can lead to impulsive decisions and excessive spending. If you’re feeling the strain, take a break from gambling and take the time to calm yourself.
• Ensure you’re hydrated and not too tired before gambling. Fatigue and dehydration can impair judgement and decision-making, lowering the chances of making the most sensible choices.

Safer Online Gambling

If you’re choosing to gamble online rather than in an Adult Gaming Centre, then consider the following tips to keep yourself safe while using online gambling sites or apps.

• Use the responsible gambling tools that are often offered by online gambling operators, such as deposit limits, time-out periods, and self-exclusion. These tools can help you control your gambling habits and minimise the risks.
• Always gamble on licensed and regulated online casinos and betting sites. These sites adhere to strict standards and provide safeguards to protect players. If you doubt the gambling site or app you’re using is trustworthy, then stop using them straight away.
• Be cautious of scams and phishing attempts. Always double check the gambling websites you visit and avoid sharing personal information with unknown sources.

By keeping perspective on these tips, you can enjoy gambling safely and responsibly. Remember, gambling should be a form of entertainment, not a source of stress or financial hardship.

Seeking Gambling Addiction Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling addiction, it’s crucial to seek help as soon as possible. There are various resources and support services available to assist individuals in overcoming these issues.

GambleAware

Affiliated with the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN), GambleAware provides free and confidential support to those affected by gambling addiction. They also provide quizzes to assess your relationship with gambling, or to better understand your gambling spending habits.

GamCare

GamCare is a leading national charity that provides confidential advice and support to individuals affected by gambling issues, with advisers available via phone, live chat and online forums 24/7.

NHS Support

The NHS’s gambling support service provides mental health services and can offer support for individuals with gambling addiction. The NHS can even facilitate you joining a support group of people in similar situations, which can provide valuable peer support and encouragement.

Gamblers Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous also provides in-person support meetings across the UK for those struggling with gambling addiction, offering a strong support network to those who need it. Gamblers Anonymous offer a wide variety of meeting types to address different preferences and ensure that everyone feels comfortable reaching out for support, whoever they are.

How to Help Someone with a Gambling Addiction

If you’re concerned about a loved one’s gaming habits, there are many steps you can take to offer support and encourage them to seek help. One of the most important ways you can help a loved one with a gambling addiction is to encourage open communication by creating a safe space to talk honestly with them about their struggles without arguing. By being confrontational, you would risk pushing your loved one further away. Express your concerns about their habits calmly and without judgement. Encourage them to seek professional help, such as via the resources listed above, without being aggressive.

At the same time, you should seek to avoid potentially enabling your loved one’s issues with gambling by covering their debts, or otherwise providing them with money. This only stretches the addiction out further instead of tackling it head-on.

Signs of Gambling Addiction

If you are concerned that a loved one is experiencing gambling harm, it is also very important to learn more about gambling addiction and the signs to look out for. These signs include the following:

• Financial irregularities – Have you noticed that money has gone missing, perhaps from a shared bank account or even your own, without explanation? Is your loved one frequently asking for money, or taking a sudden repeated interest in taking out loans or credit cards? These could be signs of gambling harm issues.
• Lying – Are you frequently catching out your loved one in lies about their spending, or what they are doing in their spare time? While this may not be a sign of gambling addiction by itself, it could be when combined with any of the other signs in this list. Remember: if they are lying, chances are that there is some element of shame being felt about it. Be certain about the cause of the lying before you address it, preferably with evidence. Be sure to not present it in an accusatory or aggressive way, as previously mentioned, to avoid making anything worse.
• Mood shifts – Is your loved one experiencing frequent changes to their mood and behaviour? Are they acting upset, worried or agitated for no apparent reason? If they gamble frequently, this could be a related issue if their results haven’t been in their favour.
• Becoming withdrawn – If your loved one has also shown a noticeable lack of interest in pursuing usual activities or time with friends or family, this can be an early sign that they could be experiencing gambling harm. This could also be in the form of hiding themselves away, or checking their phone much more frequently if they gamble online.
• Anxiety or trouble sleeping – If a loved one’s gambling has not been going in their favour, they may be having issues sleeping at night. If this is coupled with frequent time at night being spent at an Adult Gaming Centre or gambling on their phone, this could be a sign of loss chasing.

Finally, one of the most important ways you can help a loved one experiencing gambling harm is to be patient with them. Overcoming gambling addiction takes time and effort, so make sure to be both supportive and understanding throughout their recovery process.

By understanding behaviours, practising responsible gambling, and seeking help when needed, players and their loved ones can enjoy gambling safely and minimise any potential issues. Safer Gambling Week serves as a reminder to prioritise such responsible gambling and to seek support if necessary. So, be mindful of your own habits and be ready to offer support if needed to make sure you and your loved ones continue to have fun while gambling.

For more information on the steps we take at MERKUR to help our players gamble responsibly, please visit our Safer Gambling page.

National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133