Responsible Gambling

For the majority of people, casino games and gambling are a fun pastime and entertainment. However, when approached irresponsibly, it can become addictive and have very negative consequences. Therefore, you must gamble responsibly.

On this page, we look at how you can ensure you’re playing responsibly. We discuss common Responsible Gambling tools, how to spot a possible gambling problem and offer contact details to organisations that offer professional help to people with gambling problems in various countries.

What Is Responsible Gambling?

Responsible Gambling is basically a set of social initiatives developed by the gambling industry and carried out by regulatory bodies and governments around the world. They were initially set up to make sure players are treated fairly and spread knowledge on the potential dangers of gambling.

These initiatives are implemented through various protocols that may vary depending on jurisdiction and country. Moreover, they’re implemented differently in online casinos and land-based casino establishments.

Here are a few examples:

  • Many Australian states limit how much you can bet on slots placed in clubs, pubs, and casinos.
  • Fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) in the UK can only take bets of up to $100.
  • Land-based casino establishments and betting establishments in different countries have to follow social interaction policies whenever a customer’s actions indicate a potential gambling problem.

Responsible Gambling Practices For Online Casinos

Since online casinos can’t physically monitor players and look for signs of a potential gambling problem, they’re required to provide responsible gambling tools.

These tools usually consist of self-exclusions, various self-assessments, and different gambling limits, but may vary from one country to another.

Gambling limits allow players to oversee and control their gambling habits efficiently.

Here are the prevalent ones:

  1. Session limit: Limits how long you can play.
  2. Loss limit: Limits the total amount of money you can lose. It applies to net losses.
  3. Wager limit: Determines how much you can bet.
  4. Deposit Limit: Limits the amount you’re able to deposit.
  5. Self-exclusion: Allows you to freeze your account for a shorter time or close it permanently.

Gambling limits time-based. You can set them to operate on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. When the time is up, the limit starts over. You can always lower gambling limits. However, when increasing a limit, changes will be effected when the current period has elapsed.

Setting Gambling Limits

  • You opt for a weekly R50 deposit limit. The limit starts on Tuesday at 15:00.
  • By Saturday, you’ve already deposited R50.
  • You’re not allowed to make another deposit until Tuesday, 15:01.

How Do You Know If You’re Playing Responsibly?

Along with various gambling limits, many casino sites offer self-help assessments through which you can determine if you’re gambling irresponsibly.

These self-assessments are usually simple questionnaires that give you a score based on your answers. The casino then takes your score into consideration and provides an assessment of your current gambling habits.

Here are a few typical questions that can quickly indicate a potential gambling problem:

  • Have you ever borrowed money to support your gambling?
  • Do you find yourself playing when you’re feeling down or worried?
  • Do you attempt to win back money you’ve lost?
  • Do friends, relatives or members of your family think you spend too much time playing?
  • Do you gamble more than you can afford?
  • Do you sometimes play for a longer time than you initially intended to?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you should use any gambling limits provided by your casino. We also recommend you get in touch with any of the help organisations listed on this page.

Self-exclusion

Players may opt for a self-exclusion if they feel they can’t stop gambling. They can either set it themselves or ask the casino’s support staff to set the limit for them. Self-exclusions can be weekly, monthly or permanent.

When a player self-excludes permanently, they can never play with with casino again. In certain countries, such as France, Sweden and the UK for example, the government has set up a central database for all licensed casinos. 

Via this database, players may permanently self-exclude from all operating in casinos in a single request. 

Whenever a player self-excludes permanently, they are usually directed to a professional organisation that can help them tackle their gambling problem.

Professional Help

If a player completely has lost control over their gambling, professional help is crucial. Here are professional help organisations in different countries:

Oceania (Australia)

The Victoria Foundation for Responsible Gambling

https://responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au

The Victorian Parliament set up the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation to help people negatively affected by gambling in Victoria. The Victorian Foundation works with partners all over Victoria to spread information about gambling addiction and help those affected through phone, chat, and in-person counselling.

  • Address: Level 6, 14–20 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne, Victoria 305
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone number: 03-9452-2600
  • Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the office is open.

Gambling Help Online

https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au

Gambling Help Online is an online portal assisting people suffering from gambling addiction 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The objective is to help people unable to attend in-person counselling sessions. The site offers information on how to gamble responsibly, self-assessment tools and gambling calculators that help players analyse their gambling habits. The organisation offers online support through SMS, chat, email, and counselling.

The Australian Gaming Council

https://austgamingcouncil.org.au/responsible-gambling/awareness-programs-tools/awareness-programs-tools

The Australasian Gaming Council (AGC) was created in 2000. This site has gambling calculators, self-assessment tools, and helpful FAQs. Players can get peer-to-peer support, live chat support, and in-person counselling sessions. Call toll-free on 1800 858 858 to get support and find help services in your area.

Gambler’s Help

https://gamblershelp.com.au

Services provided by several community groups in Victoria. The organisation also provides services for Aboriginal communities and in-language support for linguistically and culturally diverse communities.

Services are offered through live chat, phone consultations, and in-person counselling.

  • Gambler’s Helpline: 1800 858 858
  • Help for young gamblers: 1-800-262-376

Gambling Help W.A

https://www.centrecare.com.au/metro-services/gambling-help-metropolitan-and-rural/gambling-help-wa

Gambling Help WA is a free help service run by Centrecare, a non-profit Catholic community service. The organisation offers help to people living in Western Australia via in-person counselling sessions.

New Zealand

Problem Gambling Foundation (PGF) Services

https://www.pgf.nz

PGF is part of the Problem Gambling Foundation of NZ and offers in-person counselling Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Players can get in touch via chat, email or phone. PGF also offers training and education on how to identify gambling harm and works diligently to promote policies that can reduce the harmful effects of gambling in New Zealand. Call toll-free on 0800 664 262.

The Ministry of Health

https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/mental-health-and-addiction/addiction/gambling/problem-gambling-services

The New Zealand Ministry of Health contracts multiple gambling intervention services along with associated health services.

It offers an intervention system based on a multi-modal approach that comprises a range of services, such as:

  • Helplines and information services
  • Brief interventions
  • Full interventions
  • Facilitation services
  • Follow-up services

North America

National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)

The US:

https://www.ncpgambling.org

Founded in 1972, NCPG’s mission is “to lead state and national stakeholders in the development of comprehensive policy and programs for all those affected by problem gambling.”

Via campaigns, training, and the distribution of educational materials, NCPG works diligently to spread awareness of gambling harm. The organisation also manages several treatment centres and offers screening tests, counselling, and contact information to various help organisations on its website. To find out more, contact NCPG at:

  • Phone: 1-800-522-4700
  • Chat: ncpgambling.org/chat
  • Text: 1-800-522-4700

Council for Responsible Gambling in Canada (RGC)

Canada:

https://www.responsiblegambling.org

The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) has prevented problem gambling in Canada for over 35 years. It is an independent, non-profit organisation. The group aims to reduce gambling harm by helping players make intelligent decisions, spreading information about the risks of gambling, and connecting people who suffer from gambling problems and their loved ones with local community support. The RGC has several programs and offers contact information to local helplines and counsellors on its website.

Europe

BeGambleAware

The UK:

https://www.begambleaware.org

GambleAware is an independent charity commissioning prevention and treatment services to people affected by gambling harm in England, Scotland, and Wales. GamCare partners with several expert organisations, including the NHS. On BeGambleAware’s website, you will find helpful information on how to gamble responsibly. You can also reach out via live chat or give a toll-free call.

  • Freephone: 0808 8020 133

GamCare

The UK:

https://www.gamcare.org.uk

GamCare provides information, advice and support to people suffering from gambling addiction. The organisation works to spread information about safe gambling and treatment and encourage the gambling industry to implement safe gambling practices. On the GamCare website, you can find several tools for self-help, information on how to gamble safely, and contact information to professional counsellors.

  • Freephone: 0808 8020 133

Fachverband Glücksspielsucht

Germany:

https://www.gluecksspielsucht.de

The Fachverband Glücksspielsucht eV is a group of scientists, doctors, lawyers, psychotherapists, and addiction therapists from all over Germany. Together, they work to help people affected by gambling harm. Fachverband Glücksspielsucht is a part of the German Central Office for Addiction and seeks to reduce gambling harm by running self-help groups, advice centres, and rehab centres. You can get in touch via live chat or call toll-free on 0800-0776611.

France’s National Gambling Authority (ANJ) is in charge of gambling.

France:

https://anj.fr

ANJ is an independent organisation reporting to the French Parliament. The organisation oversees all French land-based casinos and gambling sites to ensure they implement and adhere to responsible gambling policies. ANJ’s website offers information on how to gamble responsibly and a self-exclusion system through which players can exclude from all casinos licensed in France with one request.