Safer Gambling: What help is available and our tips for keeping things fun

Here at BettingOdds.com we want punters to make informed choices so you can gamble more responsibly, we’ve put together some tips on what tools are available and what measures you can put into place to get the best experience from your betting.

Tools that are available from bookmakers 

Bookmakers now have plenty of tools available to help you stay in control of your gambling and to help keep gambling fun. These can vary from self exclusion periods to setting deposit limits.

• Deposit Limits - This allows customers to limit the amount you can deposit to your account. This can be varied to a daily or hourly basis and with most bookmakers cannot be overridden. 

• Time-Out Periods - This allows short breaks to be taken from betting or gaming. It can often be done so in 24 hour, 48 hour, 7 day or 28 day periods.

• Reality Checks - Notifications can be set up to help punters manage their time on betting apps and websites. For example bet365 send a pop up notification to the customer reminding them they have been logged in for a large period of time.

• Self Exclusion - In cases where customers feel they are at risk of developing a problem, or currently feel they have a problem, they can use self-exclusion which prevents use of the bookmaker for a period of usually either six months, one year, or five years. 

Where you can find the help and advice 

Besides your bookmaker there are a whole array of resources that are available to the punter to help maintain control of their betting. Here are some of the most widely used across the industry. 

• National Gambling Helping - A free to call service that is available 24 hours a day where you can speak to an advisor in confidence for help and advice around your issue on 0808 8020 133

• Gam Care Live Chat - Not a fan of speaking on the phone? No problem, GamCare have a live chat service, where you can speak in confidence 24 hours a day with an advisor for information and emotional support. Go straight to the website by clicking here.

• www.Begambleaware.org - This website and service offers free confidential advice and support for anyone who is worried about themselves or someone else’s gambling. A full range of information is available on the website as well as a 24/7 live chat and telephone service for those who need to talk. 

Our top five tips to stay in control and keep gambling fun

• Only spend what you can afford - Sounds simple, but to problem gamblers separating their finances for gambling and paying bills can be difficult. Keep things comfortable and sensible for yourself, do not risk more than you can afford to lose.

• Set your limits for time and money - We’ve already touched on setting aside a separate pot of money for gambling and you can read more on what exactly a betting bank is here. Time is also very important, don’t let gambling dominate your spare hours. Give yourself breaks and mix things up, too much of anything can get tedious at times.

• This is not the answer to your problems - A large part of problem gambling is people trying to chase their losses or solve a financial problem by placing bets. This will not solve your problems, think logically and think what you can do in your life away from gambling to help your situation. 

• Don’t bet when angry or upset - 2020 has been an emotional rollercoaster for us all but one thing to ensure is never to place bets when angry or upset. Gambling will always be there, come back when you are feeling more settled and less reluctant to make erratic and poor decisions. 

• Don’t let gambling interfere with personal relationships - Again, the impact of Covid-19 has meant we spend a lot more time at home. Don’t let gambling interfere with your personal relationships at home or with others in your life. Think about what is important: social interaction, friendships, checking on loved ones. 

These are our five top tips here at BettingOdds.com but if you do have any further questions, please do feel free to ask either here or on social media. Remember, gambling should enhance your sporting experience, not hinder it.