The Royal British Legion is committed to ensuring that information on how to gamble responsibly is readily available to all.
Keeping gambling under control
The majority of people do gamble responsibly. It may help you to keep your gambling under control by remembering the following:
- You are buying for fun, not investing your money
- Before playing, set strict limits on how much time and money you are going to spend
- Quit while you are ahead
- Only gamble with money you can afford to lose
- Do not spend more money on gambling with the hope to win back money that you have lost
- Keep up other interests and hobbies – do not let gambling take over your life
- Do not gamble in order to escape from stress or boredom
- Gambling in moderation is okay
How to identify if gambling is becoming a problem
For some however gambling can become a problem. If you are concerned about the amount you are gambling, and feel it is taking over your life (or you are concerned for a friend or relative) then the following questions may help you, to give you some guidance.
- Have others ever criticised your gambling?
- Have you lied to cover up the amount you have gambled or the 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 you feel you are answering 'yes' to the above questions, then it is likely that a gambling problem exists. For friendly and helpful advice from trained counsellors call the National
Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. The helpline is open from 8am to midnight, 7 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 Gamble Aware website www.begambleaware.org for more information and advice. You can also call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
Gambling self-exclusion
If you are experiencing problems with gambling and would like to request that The Royal British Legion exclude you from raffle and lotteries, you can complete our online self exclusion form.
The Royal British Legion and Royal British Legion Poppy Lottery Limited are proud to support The Responsible Gambling Trust with a regular donation via membership of the Lotteries Council, to help with problem gambling research, education, and treatment.
If you feel you have a problem with gambling, visit www.begambleaware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.