5 Signs You Might Need a Gambling Break

The prevalence of licensed UK casino sites has brought gambling out of the high-street bookmaker and into the home. You have the flexibility to experiment with thousands of games across diverse categories, while comprehensive sportsbooks that allow you to bet on sporting events all over the world. 

As a result, people across the country place wagers regularly — Gambling Commission research shows that 48% of UK adults had gambled at least once within a four-week period. 

But if you place bets regularly, how do you know when it’s time to step back and take a break? And how can you do that? Below, we’ll explore:

• Five common signs to be aware of
• Five tools/services to help you take a rest from gambling

5 Signs That You May Need a Gambling Break

You Spend More Time Gambling than Ever

Whether you prefer to play live casino games, slots, or anything else at gambling sites, be aware of how much time you invest into wagering. If you’re consistently staying at your favourite online casinos for longer than before, and that’s causing you to place increasingly higher bets, it may be best to take a break. 

You Lie to Others About Your Gambling 

Lying to your partner, family members, friends, and colleagues about your gambling habits is a common sign of a problem. You may tell them that you only gamble occasionally, or claim that you never do it at all. 

Whatever lies you tell, feeling that you can’t honestly discuss how much time and money you spend on gambling indicates that you may need to take control.

You Think About Gambling Frequently

The more time you dedicate to thinking about gambling, and perhaps talking about it with others, the more likely you are to have a problem. Be honest: how much of your life is consumed by playing casino games, betting on sports, and chasing losses? 

You may also spend hours exploring various betting strategies, such as the Martingale (a progressive system that requires you to double your stake after every loss), to try to ‘beat’ the casino. 

If the amount of time you spend thinking and talking about gambling worries you, or someone close to you has expressed their concerns, start exploring ways to take a break. 

Your Gambling is Affecting Your Work and Lifestyle

Problem gamblers may face difficulties at work and home if focusing on duties, responsibilities, and leisure time becomes a struggle. Partners, children, and friends might mention that they hardly see you anymore. 

When gambling interferes with professional and personal matters, that’s a major sign that it’s taking up too much of your life. 

You’re Gambling More than You Can Afford to

Real-money bets on slots, live casino games, game shows, and other online gambling activities can all add up before you realise. But if you’re spending so much that it’s taking money you need for the following financial commitments, you should take a gambling break:

• Rent/mortgage payments
• Utility bills
• Credit card repayments
• Childcare services
• Family activities
• Holidays 

How to Take a Gambling Break: Effective Methods Available Online

Responsible UK casinos allow customers to restrict their betting in multiple ways. Here are the different options available if you decide you need to take a gambling break:

• Self-exclusion period: This prevents you from using your account for an initial period of 180 days, though you can extend this by as much as five years. 

• Freeze/cooling-off period: Similar to self-exclusion, the cooling-off method freezes your account for between 24 hours and six weeks. 

• Deposit Limits: You can set up a deposit limit when creating an account at a reputable online casino, or at any time (usually via the ‘my account’ area). This applies to daily, weekly, and monthly deposit amounts. 

• Reality Checks: Reality checks or Game Status Reminders let you know how long you have been playing for, which may prompt you to take a rest. You can choose how many minutes must pass before a reality check message appears. 

• GAMSTOP: GAMSTOP is a free application providing a comprehensive self-exclusion service. It will prevent you from signing into any sites that have a UK gambling licence for six months, one year, or a maximum of five years. It also stops all marketing materials that you would typically receive from blocked sites.

Conclusion

If you recognise any of the warning signs discussed above, whether they apply to yourself or someone else, help is available. The five protective methods — self-exclusion, cooling-off periods, deposit limits, reality checks, and GAMSTOP — may make a real difference. 

At Genting Casino, we’re dedicated to providing UK adults with a safe, welcoming place to play games responsibly. We offer all of the above tools to help you take control of your gambling, as well as a wealth of information on other options. Contact our support team for further advice.