Punters Lounge is committed to safer gambling. We provide a gambling community and information resources with the intention to create a safe, respectful, and informative environment for all our members. We aim to promote gambling as an enjoyable leisure activity and in order for this to remain the case we believe gambling should be experienced in a controlled and responsible manner.
However, we understand that for some individuals gambling can stop being fun and become a problem issue. If you or someone you know is experiencing such a problem with gambling then please visit GamCare, Gamble Aware and Gamblers Anonymous, or contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Over 18s only.
Furthermore, we have put together a There are steps you can take to ensure you continue to enjoy gambling responsibly. These include…
5 Ways To Practice Safer Gambling
1. Deposit Limits
It is possible to impose a self deposit limit on your account to limit the amount of funds you transfer from your bank account into your online gaming account. Limits can be set for a set period of 24 hours, 7 days, or even up to 30 days and cannot be overridden. You can decrease or increase your deposit limits at any time and these will be put in place with immediate effect. Only increase your deposit limits if you can afford it.
2. Time-Outs
If you feel you want an enforced break from gambling with an online casino or sportsbook then you can request a time-out. This will restrict access to your gaming account for the amount of time you set. This can be as short as 24 hours or as long as 30 days. Custom time-out periods are often available if you wish to take a break for a specific time period.
3. Self-Exclusion
If you are concerned that you may develop a problem with gambling then there is an option to self-exclude from a casino or sportsbook online for a prolonged period of time. This can cover a number of months or even years. During this period, you will be unable to use your gambling account and can only access it to withdraw funds from your gaming account. The operator will do everything they can to ensure you do not open up a new account.
4. Track Your Activity
Keeping track of your online gambling activity is a convenient way to understand how frequently you are gaming and how much you’re winning or losing when gaming. It can provide visual assistance to gain an idea of your behaviour towards gambling and help you address any issues before they get out of hand.
5. Use a Budget Calculator
A budget calculator can help you work out how much you can afford to deposit into your online gaming account. You simply insert your income, your outgoings, and your net gambling spend. You then have an amount provided for you that should use as a guide for how much you deposit into your gaming account. This can help you keep tabs on the amount you are spending on gambling.
