SAFER GAMBLING WEEK 2024
Learn more about responsible gambling and the tools we offer to keep your play safe.
We want you to have the best gaming experience while staying within your limits, and we take our responsibility seriously which is why we’re proud to support Safer Gambling Week 2024, running from 18th to 24th November.
Safer Gambling Week is an important opportunity to encourage conversations about responsible gambling, with emphasis on awareness of safer gambling practices and the many tools we offer to keep your play safe. Safer Gambling Week is a cross-industry initiative to promote safer gambling in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This year we would like to reflect on the following:
- Ask yourself... Are you past your spending limit?
- Remember... Friends & family are more important than gambling
- Remember... Gambling is not a way to make money
- Play smart... Don't chase your losses
- Remember... It's good to set yourself limits
- Remember... It's good to take a break
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS A GAMBLING PROBLEM, PLEASE CALL 0808 8020 133 FOR GREAT BRITAIN OR 08000 886 725 FOR NORTHERN IRELAND.
Safer Gambling: Tools to Help You Stay in Control
Deposit Limit
Set a maximum amount you can deposit within a specified time period. This prevents overspending and helps you manage your gambling budget.
Loss Limit
Specify a limit on how much you can lose over a set time period. This tool helps curb the urge to chase losses.
Session Limit
Manage how long you gamble by setting a session limit. Once your time limit is reached, you'll be automatically logged out.
Wagering Limit
Set a wagering limit to control how much you can bet within a specific timeframe. This helps prevent further gambling with any winnings.
Reality Check
This tool tracks the duration of your gambling sessions and provides reminders of how long you've been logged in.
Time Out
If you need a short break, you can set a timeout ranging from 1 day to 6 weeks, temporarily pausing access to your account.
Self-Exclusion
For longer breaks, you can self-exclude for a period of 6 months to 5 years, blocking access to your account during that time. Player History This tool gives you a summary of all transactions that have taken place on your account. It includes information about wagers, results, deposits, withdrawals, and pending bets. We encourage you to keep tabs on your history as this can protect you against getting carried away.
Blocking Tools Some third parties offer software that will allow you to restrict your access to any website through which you can gamble. Some include: Gamstop is a free tool that allows people to self-exclude from all UK-licensed gambling websites. Once registered you will be prevented from using gambling websites and apps run by companies licensed in Great Britain, for a period of your choosing. BetBlocker is a UK-registered charity providing free blocking software to help you control your gambling. BetBlocker offers an app for Android, iOS, Windows, Apple, Linux, and Fire OS and allows you to block your device from accessing tens of thousands of gambling sites and hundreds of gambling apps for 24 hours up to 5 years. No sign-up is required to use BetBlocker.
Myths, Risks, and Signs Myths Associated with Gambling You or someone around you might have heard certain myths when it comes to gambling and believe them to be true. The list you will find below is not exhaustive, but it will help you in recognising some of the most common myths: The more someone gambles, the more their luck changes. Gambling with higher stakes will ensure getting the player’s money back. There is a “lucky day” that every player has once in a while. Gambling on more than one slot or casino game at a time increases the chances of winning. Developing a special strategy helps players win. Knowing a certain slot or casino game well increases the chances of winning on that game. It's not possible to become addicted to gambling. To experience problems with their gambling levels, a player needs to gamble every day. A player can’t be addicted or experience gambling problems, if they can afford the money they are losing. Only irresponsible people become addicted to gambling. Problem gambling is easy to recognise.
Risks Associated with Gambling There are risks associated with gambling that can negatively affect your life and the life of your family. If you don’t gamble within safe limits, you could be at risk of: Losing more money than you can afford, or you have budgeted for. Spending more time on gambling than you have intended, and missing out on important events and tasks in your daily life. Neglecting your family and friends. Experiencing decreased self-esteem and increased stress and anxiety. Gambling to escape from reality and/or improve your mood. Developing a preoccupation or fascination with gambling and getting a rush from gambling with increasingly large bets. Heightening states of euphoria which may affect your judgement.
*Problem Gambling: The Warning Signs There are several signs that may indicate you or someone you care about has developed an unhealthy relationship with gambling: Gambling beyond your financial limits Difficulty stopping or controlling gambling Frequent arguments with friends or family about gambling Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed Constantly thinking or talking about gambling Lying about gambling habits Gambling to solve financial problems Gambling until all available money is gone Borrowing money, selling possessions, or neglecting bills to fund gambling Ignoring important responsibilities, such as work, personal needs, or household duties to gamble Experiencing anxiety, worry, guilt, depression, or irritability related to gambling
Safer Gambling: Tips to Keep in Mind
Friends and family should always come before gambling
Your personal relationships are important, and gambling should never interfere with them. If you feel the need to hide your gambling habits from loved ones, consider reaching out to a gambling helpline for support.
Set limits and stick to them
Stay in control by deciding in advance how long you’ll gamble for and how much you’ll spend.
Never gamble to make money
While you may occasionally win, it's important to remember that gambling is not a reliable way to earn money. Only gamble with what you can afford to lose, and never use funds needed for essentials.
Don’t chase your losses Play smart…if you have experienced a loss, do not continue gambling in an attempt to recover what you lost. It will only make things worse.
Take time out
Always pause and reflect before you start gambling. If you feel you need a longer break from gambling, consider using the time out feature.
Safer Gambling Week and Beyond
While Safer Gambling Week runs from 18th to 24th November, it's important to stay committed to safer gambling practices all year round. Explore our tools and resources to learn more about how you can keep your play safe.
Gaming at BetMGM should be fun and we take our responsibility to protect you very seriously. If you need to talk about this at any time, please feel free to contact our trained staff. We encourage everyone to be aware of the different limit tools available to them and to seek help whenever they feel they can’t cope on their own. Alternatively, you can always visit LeoSafeplay - our website dedicated to safer gambling.