What is Responsible Gambling?

Responsible gambling is a broad term often used by the gambling industry which describes the initiatives and measures they have in place to inform gamblers on how to keep gambling fun and safe, provide helpful tools to protect players from adverse consequences of gambling, as well as ensuring gamblers have adequate support services if and when required.

Tips to avoid allowing gambling becoming a problem;

Some tips for ensuring your gambling remains fun include;

Only gamble with what you can afford.
Set limits and stick to them.
Avoid chasing losses.
Never allow gambling to interfere with your personal relationships.
Don’t use gambling as a means of escape.
Take frequent breaks from your gambling.
Don’t think of gambling as a way to make money.
Gambling and alcohol are not a good combination

What does the gambling industry do to try and reduce or prevent problem gambling?

Social responsibility has been increasingly fundamental to the industry’s approach to customers and business. As an industry, we recognise that we cannot prevent problem gambling on our own. A number of safeguarding measures have been introduced and we will continue to improve those measures in-line with International best practices. These measures include;

Staff training and awareness to identify and approach persons that may be affected by problem gambling.
Prominent display and availability of relevant material relating to identifying problem gambling and the services and support that is available
On-line Reality checks, allow customers to set a session duration reminder. This reminder can help them to manage how long they are in a gaming session.
Deposit limits, with the option to set personal daily, weekly or monthly deposit limits.
Regular Responsible gambling messaging in stores, on sites, via social media channels and on customer communications. Which assist to reinforce the responsible gambling messaging, and the little tips and reminders about how to keep gambling under control
Self-exclusion facilities, which will prevent customer from accessing gambling services in that premises.

What can you do if problem gambling is affecting your life?

If gambling is affecting you or a loved one, there are many support services available. These include phone counselling, face-to-face counselling sessions, out-reach programmes and residential facilities.

One such service is provided by The Dunlewey Addiction centre. Dunlewey was founded in 1987 and has been providing specialist services to those experiencing addiction issues ever since. They have a Freephone number which is operational 7 days a week and gives immediate access to a qualified counsellor. They also have counsellors in almost every county in Ireland who can provide free face-to-face counselling sessions at their premises if further treatment is needed.

If you or someone you know would like to talk about their gambling, Dunlewey can be contacted at Freephone 1800 736 725 (Irl ), 08000 886 725 (NI ) or at www.Dunlewey.net