The wellbeing of oddschecker's users is our top priority 365 days a year, because if it isn't safe, it isn't entertaining.
Reducing Gambling Harms:
Whilst the majority of punters treat betting as a source of entertainment, for some there may be a loss of control. Here at oddschecker, we know everyone should be mindful of this.
Since oddschecker promotes the services of licensed gambling providers on this site, we believe it is important that our users are made aware of the risks that can be associated with gambling, as well as information about where they can find further advice and support should they require it.
What exactly is 'Safer Gambling'?
As an individual, chances are you're practising responsible gambling if you only bet what you can afford to lose, find it rewarding and it doesn't impact other aspects of your life or your friends' and family's lives.
Unfortunately, it's not always easy to spot when your gambling behaviours are starting to become harmful so we've pulled together some of the warning signs. Gambling-related harm is a spectrum with many influencing factors, it's important to be honest with yourself about your gambling behaviour.
So, do I have a problem?
- Ever found yourself chasing your losses?
- Or upped your stakes because a £5 bet just wasn't as exciting anymore?
- Maybe you've borrowed some money to have a punt, or backed that NAP even though you couldn't really afford it.
Any of the above could be a sign that you need to think about the impact gambling has on you, and possibly also on those around you, such as family members or friends.
What now?
If you feel that your gambling has become problematic, or you just want some advice from the experts, there are plenty of resources available that you can turn to.
What tools are available to help?
Bookmakers are mandated to offer certain tools and many provide tools over and above this to assist their customers in ensuring that their gambling is safe. Here's a handy visual representation of the array of tools out there which can help. Licensed operators must provide access to your account activity, which means you'll be able to see;
- When you have gambled
- How much money you spent during a gambling session
- How often you log in and;
- How much time you are spending on the site.
However, many operators are now going above and beyond with tools such as:
Deposit Limits
Want to manage your spend? This tool lets you set a daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limit. Allowing you to enjoy the excitement without going over your budget, limit increases will take 24-hours to kick in, while decreases happen immediately.
Cool Off Periods
Need a break? Cool Off tools are here to help. Allowing you to take a break from the action from one to 30 days. Once your set time is over, you'll be able to re-access gambling sites and apps without needing to contact your bookmaker.
Profit & Loss
Want the facts? Profit & Loss tools let you know how much you've won or lost over a select time period, making it easier for you to set and stay on top of your budget for the following day, week, or month.
Reality Check
Want to budget your time? Reality Check Tools give you an interval-based reminder of the length of time you have been playing across your bookmaker's suite of products. You can set intervals from 20-minutes up to 2 hours. Setting a reminder with Reality Check will give you the option to log out, view your transaction history or continue playing.
Self-Exclusion
If you feel you are at risk of developing a gambling problem or believe you currently have a gambling problem, please consider using Self-Exclusion which prevents you gambling with the bookmaker in question for a specified period of 6 months, 1 year, 2 years or 5 years. If you want to self-exclude across a number of bookmakers please consider using GAMSTOP which will prevent you from using gambling websites and apps run by companies licensed in Great Britain, for a period of your choosing. GAMSTOP is a free service for users. GAMSTOP is available for consumers resident within the United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) only.
What other tools are available to help?
Carry out a self-assessment
Concerned about your habits? You can find out how safe your gambling
is via GamCare. In an online assessment, you'll be asked a series
of statements about your gambling behaviour on a scale of 1 - 10. At
the end, you'll be provided with a breakdown of how gambling is
affecting your life, alongside personal recommendations for your next
steps.
Take a self assessement
Start with a Chat using TalkBanStop
Start with a Chat using TalkBanStop.
TalkBanStop is a new partnership between GamCare, GamBan and GAMSTOP
that offers a combination of free tools to support you to stop
gambling online. It all starts with a chat.
Find out more
Limit your exposure on social media
Want to limit your exposure further? You can do this elsewhere online. Google allows you to block specific advertisers and mute ads similar to others, while social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook let you limit your exposure to ads, adjust ad preferences, and block specific profiles. You can find further information on how to do this at GambleAware.
Install Blocking software on your devices
You can find various website blocking and filtering software online to
help increase your safety. Designed to work across your devices,
companies such as Gamban, Gamblock, Betfilter, BetBlocker and Net
Nanny work to block thousands of gambling websites, ensuring that when
you want to stop, you can.
Find out more
Block banking transactions
For a list of financial services organisations in the UK that currently offer gambling blocks on debit cards see https://www.gamcare.org.uk/block-gambling-transactions
Where else can you find support?
Call the National Gambling helpline
GamCare operate the National Gambling Helpline and offer confidential
information, advice and support for anyone harmed by gambling in Great
Britain. The Helpline is open 24 hours every day on Freephone 0808
8020 133 or via Live Chat. Advisers will listen to you, they won't
judge and your conversation is confidential.
Talk to someone
Join the GamCare forums and Chat rooms
GamCare offers a moderated online forum and daily online group
chatrooms to enable those affected by gambling harms to connect with
others in similar situations, share their experience and support one
another.
Find out more
Visit the BeGambleAware website
BeGambleAware provides information, advice and directs people to support to help keep people safe from gambling harms.
Get more help with the National Gambling Treatment service
The National Gambling Treatment Service is a network of organisations working together to provide confidential treatment and support for anyone experiencing gambling-related harms, free to access across England, Scotland and Wales.
Talk to someone at GamblingTherapy.org
Gambling Therapy are a global online support service, offering advice in multiple languages for people who have been adversely affected by gambling.