Why You Should Pay Attention To Safer Gambling Week

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At No Deposit Poker, we certainly know the importance of responsible gaming. And that’s why we’re delighted to let you know about about Safer Gambling Week.

Running now through Sunday, 19 November, gambling platforms across the UK and Ireland are promoting different ways to highlight how players can be smarter with their gambling. And, crucially, avoid unsafe betting habits.

We’re going to run you through just some of the things you should keep in mind.

Make a budget

Have you got a gambling budget? This is an absolute must for any gambler, whether you’re new or seasoned. Sometimes people tell themselves they won’t get carried away. But that’s not a guarantee you won’t! Stay safe and set yourself a hard budget for both online and offline gambling.

Don’t chase your losses

One of the biggest myths in gambling is that the best way to bounce back after a big loss is to bet more. Chasing your losses is a fool’s errand. It never works and if you’re getting that feeling that you want to do it, it’s actually a clear sign you should end your gambling session. More than likely, you’ll just end up getting yourself in a bigger hole. And if you’re betting under these circumstances, you’re almost certainly not going to be making smart decisions.

Gambling isn’t a way to make money

Okay, well actually gambling is a way to make money. For the casinos and sportsbooks, that is. Gambling is designed to make sure the companies line their pockets. It’s intrinsically designed so that punters, on average, lose money. You’re playing for the fun of it, not to make cash. So if you’re thinking this is a viable way to earn a living, think again.

Set your limits

To make sticking to your budget easier, all good online casinos and sportsbooks should have mechanisms where you can set deposit limits. This means you can’t up your monthly or weekly spend on a whim. Time is also an important factor to consider.

Set time outs so you can make sure you don’t accidently play when you should be doing something else. We love custom time outs that automatically kick in at the start and end of the working week, for example.

Another great thing to keep in mind is to set reality checks. That means if you’ve been gambling for a particular amount of time, a pop up will come up to remind you to wrap it up. It’s all too easy to lose track of time when you’re having fun, after all.

And, of course, if you think you might have or be at risk of developing a gambling addiction, the only option is to stop gambling altogether. Reputable online gambling sites give you the option to self-exclude if you need to. You can choose anything from a couple of months to years or even a permanent self-exclusion. If you are an addict, a permanent self-exclusion is what you should choose.

There’s more to life than gambling

Never gamble instead of spending time with your friends and family. If you find yourself giving up opportunities to follow your hobbies and passions or to hang out with your loved ones, you know you’ve got to get help.

More information if you need it…

Find out lots more information and access brilliant resources at Safer Gambling UK. You can also find information on social media, using #SGWeek23. Or call a gambling helpline if you want to talk to someone in person:

• Great Britain: 0808 8020 133
• Ireland: 1800 936 725
• Northern Ireland: 08000 886 725