RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING
TopLiveCasinos are committed to Responsible Gambling.
Online gambling should be enjoyed. Although the thrill of winning is enticing and can reward you short term – it should never be forgotten that gambling can also be highly addictive and cause serious financial harm.
Due to the dangers that online gambling can sometimes cause, the UK gambling industry is regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The UKGC issues licenses to online casino operators, like the ones listed on our UK live casinos page, who have proven that they offer fair and transparent casino game play to all UK customers. Under the terms of the licenses, gambling businesses are required to promote responsible gambling at all time.
We have written this page so that we can provide players with the information they need to understand how they can manage their gambling and treat it as a leisure activity. If you are having trouble with your gambling habits and are spending too much money, we urge you to seek professional help.
You can find links to organisations that provide professional help for free below. We have also included links to some third party tools. These tools will help you to control your gambling.
TOOLS TO HELP YOU MANAGE AND KEEP CONTROL OF YOUR GAMBLING
The UK Gambling Commission exists to oversee the UK gambling sector and to ensure gambling operators treat their customers in a responsible and fair way. It also provides customers with the knowledge and tools they need to manage their own gambling.
UKGC rules require that gambling websites must provide tools which give customers the knowledge they need to manage their own gambling. if you cannot find these tools, or if you are unsure how to use them, you should contact the customer service team of the gambling provider you play with who should be able to give you more information.
LIMITS ON SPENDING
All online casinos and slot sites should allow you to set limits on your spending by deposits, wagering and losses. You should be able to set spend limits via your casino account. Losses are equal to your wagers minus your wins.
You should be able to set daily, weekly and monthly limits to your account. Should you reach your limits, you will be unable to deposit or bet again until the new period starts. This way, you can set your self a casino bankroll limit.
Although this tool is effective, it still requires strong will power if you do have a problem with gambling because you can always be tempted to play at another site.
TIME OUTS
This gambling awareness tool allows you to block yourself from a website for a specific amount of time. It is a legal requirement for gambling websites to offer the following time out restrictions to their customers:
- 24 hours
- One week
- One month
- Any period a customer requests up to a period of 6 weeks
TOTAL SELF-EXCLUSION
If you decide that it would be best for you to stop yourself from gambling for longer than the time out and spend limit tools allow, you have the option to Self-Exclude.
You have the option to self-exclude yourself for a minimum of six months up to five years or permanently.
Once you have self excluded, you will not be able to login to the site which you excluded yourself from. The operator will be forced to remove you from any marketing emails. Any money you still have in your account will be returned to your bank account. The operator must also take ‘reasonable’ steps to ensure that you do not register another account under a flase name.
TRACKING YOUR GAMBLING
As your gambling guide, SlotsHawk recommends all players to track their gambling habits themselves. By doing this, you can ensure that your gambling habits do not get out of hand.
GAMBLING HISTORY
Checking your gambling history on a daily or weekly basis is a good way for you to keep control over your gambling habits. When it comes to online gambling, it is important that you are able to keep control over your own mind.
We recommend that you log into your casino account and view your transaction history. Online casinos will allow you to download this information onto a spreadsheet. If you do this each week and keep track on your spending then this will help you keep on a straight and narrow path.
KEEP A DIARY AND MAKE A BUDGET
Keeping a diary next to your computer and making notes of when and how much you deposit is a smart way of keeping track on your gambling habits. if you input into your diary the amount of time you have been playing at the end of every session you will be able to track how often you gamble each week. You will also be able to work out your hourly win or loss rate.
A budget sheet will help you to keep track of how much you spend each month. If you make this a regular part of your gambling lifestyle, you will be able to keep an eye on how much you spend from month to month.
INTERNET FILTERS
You can block gambling sites from your computer or mobile device by using one of numerous internet filters thata re available.
- Gamblock – This will block all gambling sites.
- Bet Filter – This will block gambling sites.
- CYBERsitter – This is a form of parental control software that allows parents to block access to unsuitable content. This can be sued to block gambling sites.
GAMBLING AWARENESS : ARE YOU ADDICTED?
If you think you have a gambling problem, it is important that you are able to identify it and then take steps to managing your problem.
Self Assessment
Being aware that you may have a gambling problem is the first step to dealing with the addiction in a responsible and correct way. The steps below are indicators that you may have a gambling problem:
- Spending money you cannot afford on gambling.
- You are finding it difficult to cease gambling.
- You are spending more time gambling then you would ideally want to.
- You think and talk about gambling during non gambling hours.
- You hide your gambling habits from others.
- You lie about your gambling habits.
- You lose interest in other activities and hobbies.
- You gamble your money until you have none left.
- You sell your goods and steal money to fund your gambling.
- You neglect other important responsibilities such as family, work and household priorities.
- You gamble more when you lose to get back to break even.
- Your gambling habits make you feel depressed, guilty or anxious.
TREATMENT FOR GAMBLING ADDICTIONS
If you think you may be suffering from a gambling addiction you can get help from the following professional bodies in the UK which will offer you professional help and advice.
ADDICTION HELPER
Addiction Helper is the leading UK treatment website for addictions. This resource features a live chat option which allows you to speak directly with a support agent.
Website: https://www.addictionhelper.com
Phone: 0800 240 4918
BEGAMBLEAWARE
A UK charity with the aim to promote responsible gambling and educate the public on gambling related issues.
Website: https://www.begambleaware.org/
Phone: 0808 8020 133
GAMBLERS ANNONYMOUS
AN organisation which provides support and advice through meetings held across the UK. Gamblers can share their stories and get support from one another within a professional environment.
Website: https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/
Phone: 0330 0940322
GAMCARE
Gamcare is a charity providing free counseling and help to support those with gambling problems.
Website: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/
Freephone: 0808 8020 133
UKAT – UK ADDICTION CENTRES
You can book yourself into a treatment centre operated by UKAT. Treatment plans are built for long term recovery.
Website: https://www.ukat.co.uk/
Phone: 0808 274 9707
GAMANON
Gamanon are a support group for those affected by someone else’s gambling problem.
Website: http://www.gamanon.org.uk/
The Counselling Directory
If you or anyone you know has gambling problems, you can call the Counselling Directory where you can find a UK qualified counsellor to help you.
Website: http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/
DEBT ISSUES
If you are having any issues with gambling debts then you should contact at least one of the following organisations which can help with gambling related debt problems.
CITIZENS ADVICE
Free confidential advice on problems arising from debt and how to deal with them.
Website: http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
DEBT ADVICE FOUNDATION
Free support for anyone dealing with debt related issues including debt caused by gambling.
Website: http://www.debtadvicefoundation.org/
NATONAL DEBTLINE
A charity that provides advice for those in debt.
Website: http://www.nationaldebtline.org/