The majority of people do gamble responsibly. It may help you to keep your gambling under control by remembering the following:
- You are buying fun, not investing your money.
- Before playing, set strict limits on how much time and money you are going to spend.
- Quit while you're ahead.
- Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
- Don't spend more money on gambling with the hope to win back money that you've lost.
- Keep up other interests and hobbies - don't let gambling take over your life.
- Don't gamble in order to escape from stress or boredom.
- Gambling in moderation is okay.
Are you gambling more than you really want to?
For some, however, gambling can become a problem. If you're concerned about the amount you're gambling and feel it is taking over your life (or if you're concerned about a friend or relative), the following questions may help you:
- Have others ever criticised your gambling?
- Have you ever lied to cover up the amount you have gambled or time you have spent doing it?
- Do arguments, frustrations or disappointments make you want to gamble?
- Do you gamble alone for long periods?
- Do you stay away from work or college to gamble?
- Do you gamble to escape from a boring or unhappy life?
- Are you reluctant to spend 'gambling money' on anything else?
- Have you lost interest in your family, friends or pastimes due to gambling?
- After losing, do you feel you must try to win back your losses as soon as possible?
- When gambling and you run out of money, do you feel lost and in despair, and need to gamble again as soon as possible?
- Do you gamble until your last penny is gone?
- Have you lied, stolen or borrowed just to get money to gamble or to pay gambling debts?
- Do you feel depressed or even suicidal because of your gambling?
If your answers to some of the above questions are yes, then it is likely you may have a gambling problem.
Speak to a counsellor
For friendly and helpful advice from trained counsellors call the GamCare helpline on 0808 8020 133. The helpline is open from 8am to midnight, seven days a week.
Sometimes just telling someone about your problem can be a relief and it is the first step towards dealing with your problem. You can also visit the GamCare website for more information and advice.
Self-exclusion from gambling
We're committed to conducting our lottery and raffles in a responsible way. If you would like to stop participating and also wish to stop receiving these mailings from us, please complete and return our self-exclusion from gambling form.
Unsubscribe from lottery and raffle mailings
If you wish to stop receiving lottery and raffle mailings from us, please email supporter.relations@stroke.org.uk.
The promoter of this lottery is Juliet Bouverie, CEO, Stroke Association, Stroke Association House, 240 City Road, London EC1V 2PR.
Please play responsibly. The Stroke Association is licensed and regulated in Great Britain by the Gambling Commission under account number 4703.
Players must be 18 or over and live in Great Britain.
The Stroke Association is registered as a charity in England and Wales (No 211015) and in Scotland (SC037789).
© Stroke Association 2022
Concerned you're gambling too much? Use our self-exclusion form.
