Responsible gambling guide
We are committed to helping people gamble responsibly. Read about our self exclusion policy, how to identify problem gambling and where to get more information and support.
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Our commitment towards responsible gambling
British Heart Foundation (BHF) is committed to ensure that information about how to gamble responsibly and how to access information and help in respect of problem gambling is readily available to all.
The British Heart Foundation Weekly Flutter and Superdraw raffles are licensed by the Gambling Commission.
License Number: 004818.
Website: www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk
Promoter: British Heart Foundation, Greater London House, 180 Hampstead Road, London. NW1 7AW.
Responsible people: Mike Taylor and Claire Sadler.
Registered Charity Number: 225971.
All profits from the Weekly Lottery and Superdraw raffles will be used to fund the work of the British Heart Foundation.
Keeping your gambling under control
The majority of people do gamble responsibly and gambling in moderation is okay, but it may help you to keep your gambling under control by:
- remembering that you are taking part for fun and not as a means of investing your money
- setting strict limits on how much time and money you're going to spend, before playing
- quitting while you're ahead
- only gambling with money that you can afford to lose
- not spending more money on gambling in the hope that you will win back any money that you've already lost
- keeping up other interests and hobbies and not letting gambling take over your life
- not gambling in order to escape from stress or boredom.
How to identify problem gambling
For some people, gambling can become a problem. If you are concerned about the amount you are gambling and feel it is taking over your life, then asking yourself the following questions may help you assess whether or not gambling is becoming a problem:
- Have others ever criticised your gambling?
- Have you lied to cover up the amount you have gambled or the time you have spent doing it?
- Do arguments, frustrations or disappointments make you want to gamble?
- Do you gamble alone for long periods?
- Do you stay away from work or college to gamble?
- Do you gamble to escape from a boring or unhappy life?
- Are you reluctant to spend 'gambling money' on anything else?
- Have you lost interest in your family, friends or pastimes due to gambling?
- After losing, do you feel you must try to win back your losses as soon as possible?
- When gambling and you run out of money, do you feel lost, in despair and need to gamble again as soon as possible?
- Do you gamble until your last penny is gone?
- Have you lied, stolen or borrowed just to get money to gamble or to pay gambling debts?
- Do you feel depressed or even suicidal because of your gambling?
If 'yes' is the answer to some of these questions, then it is likely that a gambling problem exists. You may also wish to consider whether a friend or relative might have a gambling problem.
If you would like to be excluded from the BHF Weekly Flutter, you can complete the online self-exclusion form.
Self-exclusion policy
While most of our supporters gamble within their means, we recognise that gambling can be a problem for some. If you are worried about your gambling or that of someone close to you, GamCare can provide support and information.
To support problem gamblers, we operate a self-exclusion policy which means you will not receive any information about our raffles.
You can join the scheme by returning our tickets and ticking the 'Please don't send me any more raffle information' box or by contacting our Supporter Care Team by email at [email protected] or telephone on 0300 330 3322.
Alternatively, you can fill out our online self-exclusion form.
How to get more information and help for problem gambling
For friendly and helpful advice from trained counsellors, call the GamCare helpline on 0845 6000 133. The helpline operates between 8am and midnight, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and calls outside of these hours will be taken by a recorded message service.
Sometimes just telling someone about your problem can be a relief and it is the first step towards dealing with your problem. You can also visit the GamCare website at www.gamcare.org.uk, for more information and advice.
If you feel you have a problem with gambling, visit www.begambleaware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.