- Gambling should be fun & entertaining but can become addictive
- Bookies & casinos have a number of tools to help you to keep control.
This article will explain in a little more detail the tools available and how they work. We look at the top betting sites to check what they have available too.
Responsible Gambling Guide
A complete guide for all the features offered to punters from online bookmakers and how to stay safe when gambling online.
Credit Cards Banned for Depositing
Another positive result of the push for more responsible gambling is the removal of credit cards as an option to fund a betting account.
This is a very positive move, as no one should be able to gamble with money that they do not have.
Although you will still find Mastercard and Visa listed as options, but only as debit card options.
Deposit Limits
Set Yourself a Monthly Maximum Betting Budget
Deposit limits allow you to give the bookmaker the instruction to control the amount you deposit within a specified time frame.
Using your online betting sites deposit limit function can help you manage this. But what is a bookmaker deposit limit?
A deposit limit with an online betting site is a function that allows you to set for yourself an amount and a period of time, which maximizes the total value of funds you can deposit into your betting account over a given period of time. Usually monthly, daily and weekly limits can also be set.
- Hourly
- Daily
- Weekly
- Monthly
You will have the option to choose a monetary amount of your choice, and then a frequency value as above.
Once the limit is reached, you will be prevented from depositing any further funds without the deposit limit being amended.
Can I change a deposit limit?
If you reach your weekly/monthly deposit limit you will find it quite easy to change it to a higher amount. However, expect to be prevented from any change being made to be active immediately.
An absolute minimum of 24hours will be required to reconfirm the change you want to make, providing a cooling-off period to think again if you want to increase your limits.
In some cases, especially if you have a monthly frequency on your deposit limit, you may have to wait until the end of the calendar month or until the month from date of setting up the limit has completed.
Playing Time Notifications
A frequent and necessary feature when playing at casino sites is a notification of how long you have been playing.
This will be automatically triggered regardless of whether you set a specific time for yourself or not.
Manage Playing Time with Notifications
It is easy to lose track of time when playing casino games, but you can set timers that will automatically pause your play to let you know how long you have been playing for.
You will be able to extend the time from the default 60 minutes often found, to a shorter period, or longer periods depending on your preferences.
Self Evaluation
Self Evaluation is basically a number of steps you can take if you are concerned about your betting activity and perhaps identify if you have a bigger gambling problem than you think you have
Self Evaluation is a set of simple steps and question that you have to answer honestly.
The results are then analysed or looked at to decide for yourself if you are gambling within your means and control or if you would be of benefit by seeking professional help to control or even stop your gambling activity.
Questions that help with Self-Evaluation
- How often do you gamble?
- Do you sometimes gamble when you haven’t planned to?
- How do you feel when you lose?
- Have you ever put off seeing family or friends to gamble instead?
- Do you keep how much you have lost from family or friends, or have you lied?
- Do you find yourself chasing losses?
- Why do you gamble?
If you have any concerns about your gambling activity, we recommend you think through these questions and seek professional help, and/or undertake self-exclusion as detailed below.