Are you concerned about your gambling or do you require support?
Whilst the majority of people do gamble within their means, for some, gambling can become a problem. It may help you to keep control of your gambling by following these guidelines:
- Gambling should be entertaining and not seen as a way of making money.
- Avoid chasing losses.
- Only gamble what you can afford to lose.
- Keep track of the time and amount you spend gambling.
- If you need to talk to someone about problem gambling then contact Gambleaware, Gambleaware is a registered charity that provides confidential telephone support and counselling to anyone who is affected by problem gambling. Gambleaware can be contacted on 0808 8020 133 (local rate from UK).
If you are concerned that gambling may have taken over your (or someone else’s life) then the following questions may help you find out:
- Do you stay away from work, college or school to gamble?
- Do you gamble to escape from a boring or unhappy life?
- When gambling and you run out of money, do you feel lost and in despair and need to gamble again as soon as possible?
- Do you gamble until your last penny is gone, even the fare home or the cost of a cup of tea?
- Have you ever lied to cover up the amount of money or time you have spent gambling?
- Have others ever criticised your gambling?
- Have you lost interest in your family, friends or hobbies?
- After losing, do you feel you must try and win back your losses as soon as possible?
- Do arguments, frustrations or disappointments make you want to gamble?
- Do you feel depressed or even suicidal because of your gambling
The more you answer ‘yes’ to these questions, the more likely you are to have a serious gambling problem. To speak to someone about this contact the confidential helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit Gambleaware for further information.
Please also see the links below for further advice.
You can self-exclude from any information on gambling from Childlife by contacting us on 01252 628072 or info@childlife.org.uk. If you wish to self-exclude from multiple companies at the same time you can use the “multi-operator” schemes listed on gambleaware https://www.begambleaware.org/safer-gambling/how-to-self-exclude/
Last updated: June 2020