Responsible Gaming

Gambling should always be a form of entertainment, never a way to earn money or solve financial difficulties. While betting on golf or any other sport can be enjoyable, it is important to remain in control and recognise that the outcome is always based on chance. Never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose, and never treat gambling as a source of income.

Age Verification

All gambling activities are strictly restricted to individuals aged 18 or over in Great Britain. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to gamble, and operators are required by law to verify your age and identity before allowing you to place bets. If you are under 18, or below the legal gambling age in your jurisdiction, you must not access any betting services.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can develop gradually and often goes unnoticed. If you recognise any of the following signs in yourself or someone you care about, it may be time to seek help:

• Chasing losses – trying to win back money you have lost by gambling more.
• Hiding your gambling from family, friends, or colleagues.
• Spending more time or money on gambling than you intended.
• Neglecting work, studies, relationships, or other responsibilities due to gambling.
• Lying about how often or how much you gamble.
• Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling.
• Feeling anxious, guilty, or irritable when trying to cut down or stop.
• Gambling to escape from stress, anxiety, or other problems.

Self-Help Tools

Many licensed gambling operators offer practical tools to help you stay in control. These include:

• Deposit limits – set a maximum amount you can deposit over a day, week, or month.
• Loss limits – cap how much you can lose within a given period.
• Reality checks – receive regular pop-up reminders of how long you have been playing and how much you have spent.
• Time-outs – take a short break from gambling for a set period (e.g., 24 hours, 7 days, or more).
• Self-exclusion – block yourself from accessing a gambling site or all UK-licensed sites for a minimum period (e.g., 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years) via GamStop.

Support Organisations

If you are concerned about your gambling or that of someone close to you, free and confidential help is available. Contact the appropriate organisation for your region:

• United Kingdom: GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk (National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133) and GamStop – www.gamstop.co.uk (free self-exclusion for UK-licensed sites).
• Australia: Gambling Help Online – www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
• Canada: Responsible Gambling Council – www.responsiblegambling.org
• United States: National Council on Problem Gambling – www.ncpgambling.org
• Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) – www.bzga.de
• Other regions: Please contact your national or local gambling support organisation. Most countries provide free, confidential helplines and resources.

Seek Help Today

If you recognise any warning signs in yourself or a loved one, please do not wait. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Speak to a trusted friend, family member, or contact one of the organisations listed above. Remember: gambling should never harm you or those around you. Stay in control and gamble responsibly.