Responsible Gaming
Gaming Should Be Entertainment
At Assured Home Care's betting guides, we believe that gambling should only ever be viewed as a form of entertainment, similar to going to the cinema or a concert. It should never be considered as a way to earn money, pay bills, or solve financial problems. Always gamble within your means and only with money you can afford to lose.
Age Verification
You must be at least 18 years of age to participate in gambling activities in the United Kingdom. If you are under 18, gambling is illegal and harmful to your development. Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss the risks of gambling with young people in their care.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
If you experience any of the following, you may be developing a gambling problem. Please consider seeking help:
- Chasing losses: Trying to win back money you've lost by gambling more
- Hiding gambling: Concealing the amount of time or money you spend gambling from family or friends
- Neglecting responsibilities: Missing work, school, family time, or social events to gamble
- Increasing stakes: Needing to bet more money to achieve the same excitement
- Failed attempts to stop: Repeatedly trying to cut down or quit but being unable to do so
- Financial problems: Borrowing money, selling possessions, or getting into debt to fund gambling
- Mood changes: Using gambling to escape stress, anxiety, depression, or other difficult emotions
- Lying about gambling: Being dishonest with loved ones about your gambling activity
- Relationship strain: Arguments with family or partners about your gambling habits
- Withdrawal symptoms: Feeling irritable, anxious, or restless when unable to gamble
Self-Help Tools
Most reputable betting sites and casinos offer tools to help you maintain control over your gambling:
- Deposit Limits: Set a maximum amount you can deposit in a specified time period (daily, weekly, or monthly)
- Loss Limits: Set a maximum amount you're willing to lose during a session or time period
- Reality Checks: Receive periodic notifications during gambling sessions to remind you how long you've been playing and how much you've spent
- Self-Exclusion: Temporarily or permanently ban yourself from accessing betting sites and casinos
- Time-Outs: Take a mandatory break from gambling for a specified period
- Account Closure: Permanently close your account if you wish to stop gambling entirely
We strongly encourage you to use these tools if you feel your gambling is becoming problematic.
Support Organizations
If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, help is available. Here are trusted support organisations:
United Kingdom
- GamCare - Free, confidential support for problem gamblers and their families
www.gamcare.org.uk
Phone: 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7) - GamStop - National Self-Exclusion Scheme for online gambling
www.gamstop.co.uk - Gamblers Anonymous - Free peer support and 12-step program
www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
International Support
- Australia: Gambling Help Online - www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
- Canada: Responsible Gambling Council - www.responsiblegambling.org
- United States: National Council on Problem Gambling - www.ncpgambling.org
- Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) - www.bzga.de
If You Need Help
Please reach out today. Problem gambling is a serious issue, but recovery is possible with the right support. Whether you're experiencing gambling problems yourself or are concerned about someone else, the organisations listed above provide free, confidential assistance.
Don't struggle alone. Help is just a phone call or click away. Your wellbeing is more important than any bet.