At Firing Squad, we place immense value on your safety and gratification while participating in online gaming. Our aim is to ensure that everyone relishes their preferred games at prime casinos without letting betting or gaming adversely interfere with their daily lives. Consequently, we’ve synthesized a range of beneficial tools, advice, details, and guidelines designed to promote fun and responsible gambling habits along with our fair gambling guidelines.
Responsible gambling is when you are playing for fun, you are in full control of what you are playing and how much you are playing with, have set and defined limits which you stick to, and are not causing yourself to suffer financially or mentally as a result of your play.
Help People To Play Safely Is Our Mission Statement
At Firing Squad, we prioritize your online safety, safeguarding you from hazardous sites and risky betting habits. We advocate for gambling as a harmless and enjoyable pastime when played in moderation and within financial boundaries. To ensure security, we rigorously examine all casinos featured on our platform using comprehensive editorial guidelines, complemented by a selection of guides covering a broad spectrum of games. Equipped with more information, you can make well-informed decisions.
Nevertheless, we recognize that gambling can become problematic for some, escalating into gambling addiction and causing significant issues.
If you suspect you could be veering towards a gaming or betting concern, the resources provided here can direct you towards the necessary information and support to seek help.
Guide To Achieve Responsible Gambling
I decided to put up a small guide to achieve responsible gambling. Take a look.
Establish a Gambling Budget
One fundamental step towards responsible gambling is setting a clear budget. Identify the amount you’re comfortable with allocating for gambling each week or month and be diligent about adhering to that limit.
Avoid Recouping Losses
It’s perilous to try to recover lost money by gambling more. Such actions often lead to further losses.
Periodically Pause Gambling
If you realize that you are gambling beyond your initial plan or if it’s causing you stress or anxiety, take a breather. A pause of a few days or even a week can help refresh your perspective and aid in re-establishing healthier gambling habits. If it seems necessary, consider the use of gambling restriction services for additional safety.
Know the Odds
Understanding the odds of gambling is vital. Bear in mind that the odds of winning are typically not in your favor and winning every bet is unrealistic. Our guides offer significant insights into the realities of gambling, aiding you in smarter betting and risk mitigation.
Avoid Emotional Gambling
Gambling while upset, depressed, or under stress can precipitate poor choices. Therefore, gambling should be postponed until you have regained emotional equilibrium.
Abstain from Gambling Under Substance Influence
Substances like alcohol, prescription medications, and recreational drugs, legal or otherwise, alter your judgment, making you susceptible to imprudent choices. The distorted risk perception induced by substances can exacerbate gambling problems. It’s crucial to ensure any substance has completely worn off before you commence gambling.
Seek Assistance When Needed
If you’re grappling with gambling issues, myriad resources are accessible for support. In the majority of jurisdictions where gambling is legal, numerous organizations and services are dedicated to assisting individuals facing gambling challenges or those at risk of developing them.
Signs That You Can Spot To Discover That You Have A Gambling Addiction
There are some signs that we can spot to discover if we have a gambling addiction.
The stark reality about gambling addiction is that it can affect anyone, particularly when guidelines for responsible gambling are overlooked. If you, a friend, or a relative enjoys gambling and you’re concerned about a potential problem emerging, consider the following indicators of problematic gambling:
Obsession Over Gambling: Constant chatter about gambling, dedicating huge chunks of time to thinking about it or structuring their day to accommodate gambling are worrisome signs. Coming up with reasons to gamble could also hint at an obsession.
Developing Gambling Tolerance: The urge to gamble larger amounts to achieve the same adrenaline rush signals a growing tolerance. Initially, they might gamble minor sums, but gradually they’ll escalate the amounts in search of the same thrill.
Unsuccessful Attempts to Limit or Quit Gambling: Struggling to scale back or quit gambling can be problematic. They might pledge to themselves or others to stop gambling, only to break such promises later.
Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms: Restlessness or irritability when trying to reduce gambling could denote withdrawal symptoms. Ceasing gambling might lead to both physical and mental side effects such as anxiety, depression, and grouchiness.
Using Gambling as an Escape: Gambling as an outlet to deal with overwhelming emotions or problems signifies trouble. They might perceive gambling as their only escape route from their troubles.
Chasing Losses: If they’re gambling additional funds to recoup lost money, it infers ‘chasing losses’, a damaging cycle often resulting in even greater losses.
Deceiving Others About Gambling Habits: Lying about the degree of gambling, money lost, and their whereabouts can be signs of a larger issue. They might resort to covert gambling online or at distant casinos.
Risking Significant Relationships or Opportunities: If gambling begins to disrupt their work, studies, or personal connections, it is a serious concern. Overlooking responsibly or relationships for gambling is a critical issue.
Resorting to Loans to Cover Gambling Debts: Reaching out to friends, family, or even strangers to borrow money due to gambling losses, or draining their credit cards or taking out loans for gambling signifies severe financial stress.
Support For Addicted Gamblers
As a UK resident you can also take advantage of Gambling Block – a service provided by major high street banks to help you restrict online gambling spending. While each bank might have a slight variation, the aim is the same: to block your bank account, debit card, or credit card from being able to make financial transactions with gambling providers.
The list of banks offering this service includes:
- Bank of Scotland
- Barclays
- Danske Bank
- Halifax
- HSBC
- LLoyds Bank
- mbna
- Monzo
- NatWest
- Royal Bank of Scotland
- Santander
- Starling Bank
You can also find financial support through a range of safe and secure, independent advice foundations such as:
Protect Children From Gambling
Even though gambling is not legally permitted for minors in most jurisdictions, it’s vital to educate them early about its realities and safety measures if they opt to participate when lawfully eligible. If you’re hesitant about initiating the process and safeguarding them, here’s a guide with some effective strategies:
Inform your children about gambling. Explain the nature of gambling, how it can present fun as well as potential harm. Discuss the risks involved with it, such as financial loss, debt acquisition, and the development of a gambling addiction.
Lead by example. If you do indulge in gambling, always do so mindfully. Never risk more than you can afford to lose, and don’t let gambling interrupt your professional, academic, or personal relationships. Prioritise the needs of your child above any gambling-related engagements.
Keep an eye on your children’s online ventures. Maintain awareness of the sites they surf and games they play. Many contemporary online games incorporate gambling segments, and it’s crucial to remain informed about these, so you can discuss them effectively with your children.
Discuss the perils of loot boxes with your children. This point pairs with monitoring online activity since loot boxes in video games warrant particular attention. They offer in-game purchases with a random chance of scoring a prize and have been associated with gambling addiction. It’s imperative to clarify these risks to your children before they begin purchasing them.
Educate your children about handling money with responsibility. Equip them with an understanding of the money’s genuine value and guide them towards prudent financial decisions. This education aids them in avoiding debt and making informed choices about gambling.
Implement blocking tools for added security. Utilization of tools such as NetNanny (if available) to obstruct potentially damaging sites from being accessed by children is an effective safety measure against problem gambling. Despite sector regulations and typical age requirements, unsupervised and hazardous websites persist. Installing blocking tools can prevent your child from accessing these sites initially.
Offer support. Should you suspect your child might be susceptible to, or has already developed, a gambling problem, express your concern and extend your assistance. Numerous resources are readily available to aid children and families grappling with gambling issues, providing significant support to confront and overcome this challenge.
Self Exclusion Tools
Regrettably, there’s no absolute “remedy” for an addiction once it has taken hold – it can only be effectively managed. However, an array of self-exclusion tools and blocking software exists to aid you in maintaining control over this challenging situation as a crucial element of responsible behavior.
These tools essentially serve as a barrier, preventing you from signing up for new casinos or sports betting sites, and hindering access to any existing accounts. A robust blocking software acts as a shield, barring your device from accessing gambling sites entirely.
The top-tier tools offer an additional layer of support for those grappling with gambling addiction, providing resources such as counseling and financial guidance. This access to resources can be a lifeline, assisting individuals in surmounting their addiction and reconstructing their lives.
When gambling addiction becomes an issue for you or someone close to you, a plethora of reliable resources are at your disposal. Opportunities for help might include consultations with a healthcare provider, a therapist, or a gambling addiction support organization.
For anyone who’s facing this battle, we’ve assembled a selection of highly endorsed self-exclusion tools, blocking applications, and general support options. Please consider these recommendations below.
Locating the right service that perfectly fits your personal needs is crucial:
BetBlocker
BetBlocker is a self-exclusion tool and UK-registered charity that allows you to block your access to specific gambling websites and apps. You can register for BetBlocker for free. Learn more
Gamban
Gamban is an easy-to-use application that blocks online gambling on different devices. It offers a secure and reliable option to stay away from gambling sites and apps. UK residents can get a full Gamban licence for free through TalkBanStop – a partnership between GamCare, Gamban, and GAMSTOP. Learn more
GamBlock
Aimed at preventing adult content being viewed by children, GamBlock should stop tech-savvy kids using VPNs and Tor browsers, which can be used to beat some blocking tools. This makes it a secure option across desktop and all mobile devices. It is a pricey option, but if you need more advanced protection methods then this is a solid choice. Learn more
Gamstop
Gamstop is a self-exclusion scheme that allows people to block their access to all UK-licensed gambling websites and apps. You can register for Gamstop for free and it is available to all UK residents. Learn more
NetNanny
NetNanny is a parental control software that can be used to block access to gambling websites and apps, as well as content that might make its way to social media sites and YouTube. It is also using AI technology to try and block content the instant before children can see it. You will have to pay to use NetNanny, with different price options depending on how many devices you need to protect. Learn more
Frequently Asked Questions
What is responsible gambling?
Responsible gambling is a set of guidelines you can follow in order to make sure online gambling stays fun and safe. Read also our disclaimer.
How do I gamble responsibly?
There are several steps you can take to make sure you are gambling responsibly. These include setting budgets, setting time limits, never gambling when you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs, playing purely for fun with money you can afford to lose, and never chasing losses.
What is problem gambling?
Problem gambling is a medical condition where a person can’t control their need to gamble, even when it causes them harm. This can have a serious impact on their life, and if you think you might be struggling with it, there are options listed above so you can get the help you need.
How do I spot signs of gambling addiction?
The signs and symptoms of problem gambling include a preoccupation with gambling, a lack of control in your play, chasing losses, lying about your gambling habits, developing financial problems through gambling, developing relationship problems through gambling, or experiencing emotional problems caused by your gambling habits.
Can responsible gambling help me keep track of my spending?
Yes, responsible gambling can help you keep track of your spending and finances in general. It can help you set and stick to a budget, as well introducing you to tracking tools which can help you track your monthly finances.
Do banks offer responsible gambling support?
Yes, most reputable banks do offer assistance when it comes to responsible gambling. This usually takes the form of blocking transactions to gambling sites, but some might also offer financial planning advice if you’re in debt caused by gambling, and general assistance in managing your money.
Should I teach my children about responsible gambling?
Yes, it is vital to teach children how to gamble safely if they choose to do so when the law allows them to. You should also be teaching your children about how elements of gambling have entered the video game space, with loot boxes listed as a possible route to the development of gambling addiction.
Author And Fact Check
Written by author J. Bond and fact checked by Martin Pino and J. Esposito to ensure that the data retrieved is objectively correct
