Responsible Gambling - Safety when Playing Online

BETO and Responsible Gambling

Written by: Kim Birch | The review was last updated: 12 November 2022 | Fact-check by: Jasmin Williams

Kim Birch

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Kim Birch has won and lost against the best poker pros worldwide. In addition to being an expert in poker and blackjack, Kim has also published 3 books. About Kim Birch

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. BETO and Responsible Gambling
2. Why Responsible Gambling?
3. What Is Safer Gambling?
4. Safer Gambling Tips
5. What is Gambling Addiction or ‘Ludomania’?

6. How Will I Know if I Have a Gambling Problem?
7. Protecting Minors From Gambling Online
8. How Does Responsible Gaming Help?
9. Confidential Support and Assistance
10. Responsible Gambling - Frequently Asked Questions

For most people, gambling online is fun and is used for entertainment. However, for a small minority of people, gambling online can be a problem.

At BETO, we believe that responsible gambling is the best approach for everyone. We work hard to promote safe and responsible online gambling operators and provide information and guidance to those who may be unable to stay in control of their gambling. We hope our efforts will help keep the internet a safe place for all users, no matter their risk tolerance level.

The licensed websites BETO recommends all offer the following functionality:

Set deposit restrictions - Deposit limitations may be set for periods ranging from daily to monthly, and they can be lowered, raised, or deleted entirely.
Set reality checks, which include reminders and time-outs to help you regulate how much time you spend online.
Take a Break - You may choose a break period between 24 hours and several weeks.
View the history of your gaming activity - You will be able to examine the history of your transactions, deposits, and withdrawals to keep track of your activity so you do not lose track.
Self-Exclusion - You have the option to self-exclude and quit gambling entirely. Self-exclusion can last anywhere from six months to five years.

Video: Responsible Gambling - Safety when Playing Online

Responsible Gambling - Safety when Playing Real Money Games Online

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Why Responsible Gambling?

Why are Responsible Gambling important?

Gambling addiction is a severe problem that affects a small percentage of the population. While most people can enjoy casino games without any problems, some are more susceptible to developing an addiction.

Online casinos and the gambling industry are now employing Responsible Gaming teams to raise awareness of the issue and help prevent problem gambling. These teams work to educate players about the warning signs of gambling addiction and make sure that marketing efforts are not targeting vulnerable players.

This article will cover what gambling addiction is, how to identify if someone is addicted, and the different ways casinos combat addiction. We will also provide a list of resources if you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction.

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What Is Safer Gambling?

Safer gambling means taking responsible steps to reduce the risks associated with gambling. Such practices can include setting financial limits, sticking to a budget, and only gambling with money that you can afford to lose. Safer gambling can also involve taking breaks from gambling or choosing not to gamble at all.

People who promote safer gambling strategies typically think of gambling as one form of entertainment. They factor gambling into their household budget by setting spending limits and sticking to them. They don’t expect to win back the money they’ve lost, nor do they think of gambling as a way to earn money. It’s important to remember that all gambling activities have risks and to enjoy safer gambling. You must be aware of the risks and how you can minimize them.

Social Responsibility in Online Gambling

Social responsibility in online gambling refers to the responsible conduct of a gambling operator and players in regard to minimizing harm to both parties.
There is no universal definition of social responsibility in online gambling, as the concept is relative to a given jurisdiction's laws and regulations. However, generally speaking, things like:

Gambling should be conducted in a fair and open way.
Children and other vulnerable persons should be protected.

People who gamble excessively, lose control of their gambling, or get addicted to gambling might be harmed. The gambler is not the only one who suffers. Families, friends, communities, and companies are all affected.

Proactively communicating early and in the appropriate way can assist someone in maintaining control of their gambling and retaining them as a customer. This technique is more sustainable for your company in the long run.

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Safer Gambling Tips

Always set a fixed budget and never exceed it

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to safe gambling, as the best way to gamble responsibly depends on your personal preferences and gambling habits. However, we have collected some tips on how to gamble responsibly:

Set a time limit and stick to it.
Set a budget and stick to it.
Gamble solely for pleasure (it's a cost for enjoyment, like going to the movies)
Do not wager money if you are irritated or agitated.
Before you bet real money, learn how the game works.
Set a firm budget and a time limitation - Many slot machines provide options to assist you in monitoring your play.
Take regular pauses - Go for a walk to get some fresh air, grab a bite to eat or drink (not alcohol).
Accept defeat as a necessary aspect of the game (you are paying to play a game for entertaining)
Don't gamble to earn money (Gambling is not a source of revenue; it's a recreational cost).
Never borrow money to gamble, even from yourself (only gamble if it's in your entertainment budget).
Do not allow online gambling to interfere with your family, friends, or career (stop if it causes any level of problems)
Do not gamble to recoup losses (You need to expect to lose)

If you follow these tips, you will be well protected from harm.

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What is Gambling Addiction or ‘Ludomania’?

Are your gambling habits turning into a problem?

Gambling addiction, or ‘ludomania’, is a mental disorder characterized by an intense and persistent desire to gamble and a persistent inability to control gambling behaviour. Gambling problems can lead to significant financial, social, and personal problems.

People with a gambling addiction may continue to gamble even if it leads to financial ruin or other negative consequences. They may also continue to gamble even when it is clear that their odds of winning are very low.

Gambling addiction is a severe mental health condition that requires treatment. Treatment options include counselling, therapy, and medication. Many people who are addicted to gambling find that treatment works best when it is combined with other interventions, such as educational programs and support groups via the gambling commission.

According to statistics, being male puts you in significantly greater danger; however, this may change now that more and more women are playing online.

The age at which you first begin gambling is the next risk factor. Because the brain is still developing during the adolescent years, extremely young people who play online illegally may acquire life-long difficulties.

Finally, there is susceptibility for individuals with underlying mental health concerns such as ADHD, anxiety, and/or depression, particularly because persons with these conditions are not resistant to excessive risk and frequently expose themselves to being careless about the long-term effects.

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How Will I Know if I Have a Gambling Problem?

To determine whether your gambling is no longer enjoyable and may be out of control, ask yourself the following questions:

Do you spend extended periods of time alone on your computer, sometimes missing work or other activities to do so?
Have you ever pretended to be winning at gambling when you were actually losing?
When you're not gambling, do you experience mood swings, irritation, and agitation?
Do you believe you gamble to avoid dealing with other challenges or problems in your life?
Have you ever had to raise your gambling bet in order to receive the exhilaration you crave?
Have you tried and failed in the past to minimize the amount of time or money you spend gambling?
Have you ever been tempted to do a dishonest act to fund your gambling?
Have you ever gone back online to gamble again to make up for your losses?
Have you ever kept your gaming habits from individuals who are important to you?
Have you borrowed money from someone and been unable to repay it due to your gaming, or are you otherwise in debt as a result of gambling?
Have you ever sold something to get money to gamble or to pay off gambling debts?
Do you find yourself violating agreements with family and friends in order to gamble?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you might need to use the advice below to take control of your gambling.

You may also take the anonymous 'Worried about your gambling?' survey on the BeGambleaware website and use their Gaming Calculator to see whether your gambling is becoming a problem.

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Protecting Minors From Gambling Online

BETO has implemented a number of measures to keep our site safe for our customers. We require all new and existing players to provide their age verification information before they can start playing.

We also use multiple layers of security to prevent unauthorized access to our systems, and we regularly monitor for any suspicious activity.

Nonetheless, we know that individuals under the legal gambling age may acquire access to casino games, whether by using their parents' devices or having access to an adult's login data, so here are some important steps to keeping your children and minors safe:

Have an open discussion with your children about the dangers of underage gambling.
Look for built-in parental settings on your computer, tablet, and mobile phone that can restrict your child's exposure to gambling content.
Keep your casino login, password, and deposit information secret and out of your children's reach.
Save your casino passwords and avoid using auto-fill on your devices.
When you leave your device, make sure to log out of your account.
Install website filtering software, such as NetNanny, to prevent your children from accessing online gaming websites.

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How Does Responsible Gaming Help?

Online casinos have teams of professionals who are trained to identify signs of gambling addiction in players. These teams work together to adhere to guidelines for combating addiction, and customer service staff are also trained to spot over-emotional behaviour in players. Additionally, casinos have developed tools to help players manage their own playing habits.

All reputable online casinos that you visit nowadays will have a Responsible Gaming section which will contain advice about how to play within healthy limits, the tools mentioned above, and links to professional organizations that are trained in treating addiction. This helps keep players safe and stops them from getting addicted to the casino.

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Confidential Support and Assistance

Get support if your gambling habits are getting out of control

Along with the National Gambling Helpline, there are numerous groups out there to support a gambling addiction. If you or someone you know needs help - try some of these great helplines that will offer confidential advice.

The National Gambling Helpline is a great resource for those struggling with gambling addiction.

There are many other groups out there that can offer support and assistance to those struggling with gambling addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, please reach out to one of these great helplines for help.

National Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700 7
Gamblers Anonymous: 1-888-347-8164
National Council on Problem Gambling: 1-800-522-4700
Begambleaware.co.uk
Gamcare.org.uk - 0808 8020 133

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Responsible Gambling - Frequently Asked Questions

What is meant by Responsible Gambling?

Responsible gambling is defined as gambling in a controlled and safe environment where the risks of developing a gambling problem are minimized. Responsible gambling involves setting limits on how much time and money is spent on gambling activities, as well as staying within those limits. Additionally, responsible gamblers make sure to only gamble with money they can afford to lose, and they never chase their losses.

What does Safer Gambling mean?

Safer gambling means taking measures to ensure that gambling is conducted in a safe and responsible manner. This can include setting limits on how much money one can spend on gambling, as well as taking steps to prevent problem gambling.

How are BETO protecting players from gambling harm?

BETO is working to protect players from gambling harm by providing information and resources on responsible gambling and we're working with gambling providers to promote responsible gambling practices. BETO also carry out research to better understand gambling-related harm.

Who can I contact with my gambling problem?

If you have a gambling problem, you can contact the National Council on Problem Gambling at 0808 8020 133 or you can chat online directly with the friendly people from Gamcare: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/talk-to-us-now/