Responsible Gambling

How Childlife promotes responsible gaming

Childlife is committed to operating our lotteries in a socially responsible way. We want it to be fun to play while raising funds but not in a way that is detrimental to the vulnerable or children. Childlife will always prominently encourage ‘responsible play’.

It is Childlife responsibility to in all cases minimise the risk of underage play and prevent underage gambling. Childlife will ensure that warnings are clearly marked on all point of sale materials and website pages and within the terms and conditions that players must be 16 or over and that it is an offence to play under the age of 16.

Identifying and engaging with those in vulnerable circumstances

Childlife recognise and understand that there are vulnerable people who may be unable to make an informed decision about gambling. Therefore anyone who acts on Childlife’s behalf will be trained to identify vulnerable persons, including those addicted to gambling.

Indications of vulnerability maybe a supporter who seems impaired in their decision making or who is not able to confirm that they fully understand what they are agreeing to when playing a lottery.

If in doubt of a supporter’s capacity to make the decision to participate in a lottery, Childlife advise supporters to take more time to consider and will direct them to information available on the  website, leaving the decision with them.

Vulnerable persons include persons who

• have a medical or mental disorder or condition which may interfere with the person making an informed and reasoned decision to gamble – dementia, reduced mental capacity, prescription drugs etc.
• has learning difficulties
• are under the influence of non-prescription drugs or alcohol
• are in some way addicted to gambling – problem gamblers.

 Problem Gambling

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, set out by Gambleaware :

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.
Gambleaware

GamCare

Gamblers Anonymous

National Debt Line

Financial Services Authority

Citizens Advice

Gambling Commission

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: January 2024