Self Exclusion from All Gambling Sites
Being a gambler comes with its perks. A fun and exciting activity, betting is the favourite pastime for millions of people around the globe. But while for most individuals it will never become an issue, a portion of the population is at risk of developing an addiction. Every year, the number of recognised gambling addicts increases. Some are even so far gone, that their only option is self-exclusion from all gambling sites. But how do they do that? Find out more in the article below.
Self-exclusion from online gambling might seem like a drastic step to some, but for others, it is a life or death matter. Gambling addiction is a dangerous condition that must be stopped in its tracks as soon as possible. In this article, we will explore what gambling addiction actually is, what steps you can take to stop its progress, and what the consequences of self-exclusion from gambling are.
What is Gambling Addiction?
Gambling addiction is an insidious psychological condition where a person cannot control their desires to gamble. Unlike many other serious conditions, gambling addiction does not present immediate symptoms. Instead, they slowly creep up, leaving the person in a worse and worse position, as time goes on.
One might recognise that they are a problem gambler only when things have gone out of control. Some of the common signs include an inability to control one’s gambling, wagering ever more money, hiding one’s gambling activities from family and friends, and more. Denying the issue is also an often seen symptom among addicts. Find more information on the topic, here is our article on gambling addiction and its treatment.
It is estimated that somewhere between 1% and 4% of the UK population is susceptible to problem gambling. Currently, there are half a million estimated addicts in the country, with more being discovered year after year.
How Does Self Exclusion from Gambling Work?
Self-exclusion from online betting sites is one of the primary methods that one could use to combat the onset of gambling addiction. All betting platforms under the jurisdiction of the UKGC are required to provide self-exclusion options in some sense. These can be accessed by players at all times and must be respected by the casino or sportsbook.
Self-exclusion methods can usually be found in the account settings of any gambling website. They provide players with the opportunity to limit their exposure to gambling to various degrees. Specifically, one could set maximum deposit and betting limits, which they will not be allowed to exceed. Additionally, players also have the chance to remove themselves from the casino completely for a given period of time.
Once the restriction is set, the operator is required to abide by it. Companies bear the responsibility for allowing self-excluded individuals to gamble. If it is found that an operator has disregarded someone’s self-exclusion request, they will face steep fines. This is enforced by the UKGC and over the years, companies have been fined millions of pounds for failing to abide by this regulation.
How to Self Exclude from All Online Gambling?
Requesting self-exclusion is not a difficult process. It is available from the account management options at any betting platform. One can request to be restricted from gambling activities with only a few clicks. Simply find the restriction feature and impose your limits, as you would like them. When you confirm the request, your access to gambling on that particular site will be limited, as you specified. The operator will not allow you to go over the limits no matter what you do. The restrictions will be in place until the set time limit expires.
What to Do After Self Exclusion?
After you successfully self exclude from all gambling sites, we can only advise you to seek further help. Blocking your access to betting might help in the short term, but it does not provide a stable solution. Much like all other forms of addiction, compulsive gambling results from underlying issues. Getting therapy is the only way to ensure that you do not return to your previous ways.
Currently, there are plenty of organisations and institutions that provide help to those suffering from problem gambling. The United Kingdom has a reliable and trustworthy framework to help recovering addicts. Organisations such as The Responsible Gambling Trust (also commonly known as GambleAware) are tasked with providing necessary assistance. This organisation offers counselling, a National Gambling Helpline, aftercare, and family support. Find out more about the Responsible Gambling Trust.
Another worthwhile proposition is to get in touch with GamCare. When working with GamCare, you can rely on quality care and a proven track record of helping troubled individuals. This organisation offers assistance via a helpline, live chat, group chat, and an online forum, where users may share their experiences and support each other. To learn more, consult our informative GamCare page.
Third-Party Software for Self Exclusion from Gambling Sites
Self-restriction options are certainly good, but they do little to stop you from visiting the best online roulette UK casinos. As we know, addicts always try to get their fix, no matter the difficulty. In such a case, third-party help may be needed. Luckily, we have access to a variety of software, designed to help you with self-exclusion from online gambling.
Such programs include Gamban, Betfilter, and BetBlocker, among others. They are available on all major platforms, including Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. Once you install them on your device and activate the restrictions, you will not be able to visit any of the known gambling sites. Not only do they completely remove your access from betting platforms, but they also prevent you from removing the restriction, as well. Their concept is bulletproof and these apps have helped millions of problem gamblers deal with their addiction. For more information on the matter, visit our article on blocking gambling sites.
Each of these apps comes with its own unique approach to blocking sites. However, the service does not always come free of charge. Ultimately, it will be up to you to decide which app best serves your needs at the price it is offered.
FAQ about Self-Exclusion
Self-exclusion is a big step to take, no matter who you are. There may be some uncertainties if this is your first time doing it. Therefore, we have prepared a small FAQ section, dedicated to answering the most important questions one might have.
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