Responsible Gambling

Last Updated: 27/09/23

Gambling can be an exciting and rewarding form of entertainment, but it can also become potentially harmful if it’s not enjoyed responsibly. At PokerNews, we believe that everyone should be able to enjoy gambling safely and responsibly, so we’ve dedicated this page to providing information and advice on responsible gambling.

PokerNews’ parent company, Flutter, has already invested £60m (as of 2022) in developing and promoting safer gambling across their business operations.

We strive to educate, empower and assist players to play responsibly. We develop platforms and products which are designed to support a safe and trusted customer experience.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please seek help. You can find more information and resources on responsible gambling in your location on this page:

What is Responsible Gambling?

Responsible gambling is the practice of gambling in a safe, secure and responsible manner. It is important for players to be aware of the risks associated with gambling, and to take steps to prevent play from becoming potentially harmful. Responsible gambling includes setting limits on the amount of money and time spent gambling, understanding the odds, and recognizing signs of problem gambling.

It also involves understanding the rules of the game and seeking help if needed. Responsible gaming is an important part of ensuring a safe and enjoyable gambling experience.

What Tools Can I Use to Gamble Responsibly?

Gambling sites typically offer a variety of tools to promote responsible gambling:

• Setting deposit limits >>
• Taking timeouts >>
• Self-exclusion >>

Sites often provide details and information on additional resources, such as facts about gambling, tips for staying in control, and links to gambling-related support services.

Deposit Limits

Deposit limits are a tool offered by many gambling sites to help players stay in control of their gambling by limiting the amount of money they can deposit into their account. Deposit limits allow players to set a maximum amount of money they are allowed to deposit into their account at any given time, and help to ensure that players don't exceed their gambling budget. Deposit limits are an effective way for players to stay in control and enjoy a safe and secure gambling experience.

Timeout

Taking a timeout from a gambling website can be an effective way to take a break from gambling, reset your mindset and re-evaluate your relationship with gambling. Timeouts can last anywhere from 24 hours to six weeks, depending on the gambling website.

Self-Exclusion

Self-exclusion allows players to take a break from gambling or permanently exclude themselves from the site. When a player opts into self-exclusion, they will be unable to log into or use the gambling website, and any access attempts will be blocked.

What can you do to help yourself?

Identify and reduce the risks

If you choose to play online, there are some general guidelines that can help make your playing experience safer, and reduce the risk of problems occurring:

1. Play for entertainment, and not as a way of making money.
2. Play with money that you can afford to lose. Never use money that you need for important things such as food, rent, bills, or tuition.
3. Set deposit limits and ensure you never deposit more than you can afford to lose.
4. Never chase losses. If you lose money, don't play higher stakes to try and recoup your losses.
5. Balance your playing with other activities. Find other forms of entertainment so playing does not become too big a part of your life.

If you believe that playing games might be a hindrance to your life rather than a form of entertainment, we want to help you. First, please review the following questions:

1. Have you ever taken time from your major daily obligations because of playing?
2. Has playing caused you to neglect your own welfare or that of your family?
3. Have you ever sold anything or borrowed money to finance your playing?
4. Have you often played until your last cash was gone?
5. Have you ever played longer than you had planned?
6. Have you ever considered self-destruction or suicide as a result of your playing?

If you answered “Yes” to several of these questions, we encourage you to seek help. Read on to find out the best way to find help in your location.

Find out more about Responsible Gambling where you are:

Responsible Gaming in the USA

In the USA today, there is an increasing emphasis on promoting awareness of problem gambling and its potential consequences, and many states now offer the safer gambling tools referenced earlier on this page.

Each state in the USA sets its own minimum age for participating in various forms of gambling. This helps restrict underage gambling, which is a key aspect of responsible gaming, while there are ongoing discussions about implementing stricter advertising standards for gambling operators to ensure that their marketing practices do not target vulnerable populations or promote irresponsible gambling behavior.

States often establish helplines and support services for individuals seeking help with problem gambling. These helplines offer free and confidential assistance to affected individuals and their families.

Use the links below to find out more about responsible gambling measures in some of the regulated online iGaming States.

Pennsylvania >>
New Jersey >>
Michigan >>
Nevada >>
West Virginia >>

Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) is primarily responsible for promoting safer gambling practices in the state of Pennsylvania.

The PGCB requires all licensed gambling operators to implement responsible gaming programs. These programs are designed to promote responsible gambling behavior among patrons and employees.

Pennsylvania offers a self-exclusion program that allows individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from all gambling activities within the state for a specified period, and the PGCB also collaborates with various organizations and agencies to launch public awareness campaigns about responsible gambling and the potential risks of problem gambling. These campaigns aim to educate the public and encourage responsible gambling habits.

The PGCB provides a toll-free helpline for individuals seeking help with gambling-related issues. The helpline offers support, information, and referrals to treatment services for problem gambling.

New Jersey

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) is primarily responsible for promoting safer gambling practices in the state of New Jersey.

The DGE requires all licensed gambling operators to establish and implement responsible gaming programs. These programs aim to educate both staff and players about responsible gambling behaviors and potential signs of problem gambling.

As well as the DGE running public awareness campaigns about responsible gambling and the potential risks around problem gambling, New Jersey offers a self-exclusion program that allows individuals to voluntarily ban themselves from all gambling activities within the state.

The DGE provides a toll-free helpline for individuals seeking help with gambling-related problems. The helpline offers support, information, and referrals to treatment services for problem gambling.

Michigan

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) is primarily responsible for promoting safer gambling practices in the state of Michigan. The MGCB is a regulatory agency that oversees and regulates all commercial and tribal casino gaming activities within the state.

The MGCB requires all licensed casino operators to establish responsible gaming programs. These programs are designed to promote responsible gambling behaviors and provide resources to individuals who may be experiencing gambling-related issues.

Michigan offers a voluntary self-exclusion program that allows individuals to ban themselves from all commercial and tribal casinos in the state, and along with public awareness campaigns, player protections and research and data collection on gambling-related issues, the MGCB provides information about the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline, a toll-free resource that offers support and assistance to individuals struggling with gambling-related problems.

Nevada

The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) is primarily responsible for promoting safer gambling practices in the state of Nevada. The NGCB is a regulatory agency that oversees and regulates the gaming industry in the state, which includes casinos, sportsbooks, and other forms of gambling.

The NGCB requires all licensed gambling operators to have responsible gaming programs. These programs aim to promote responsible gambling behaviors, provide resources for players, and train employees to identify and assist individuals with potential gambling problems.

Nevada offers a voluntary self-exclusion program that allows individuals to ban themselves from all licensed gambling establishments in the state. The NGCB oversees and administers this program to ensure its effectiveness.

The NGCB provides information and resources to help individuals struggling with problem gambling. This includes information about problem gambling helplines and treatment services available within the state.

West Virginia

The West Virginia Lottery Commission is primarily responsible for promoting safer gambling practices in the state of West Virginia. The West Virginia Lottery Commission regulates all forms of legal gambling within the state, including casinos, racetracks, and limited video lottery.

The commission requires all licensed gambling operators to establish responsible gaming programs. These programs are designed to promote responsible gambling behaviors and provide resources to individuals who may be experiencing gambling-related issues.

West Virginia offers a voluntary self-exclusion program that allows individuals to exclude themselves from all licensed gambling establishments within the state. The Lottery Commission oversees this program to ensure its effectiveness and accessibility.

The West Virginia Lottery Commission provides information about the state's Problem Gamblers Help Network, a resource that offers support and assistance to individuals struggling with gambling-related problems.

Responsible Gambling in the UK

In the UK, the primary authority responsible for promoting safer gambling and regulating the gambling industry is the Gambling Commission. The Gambling Commission is an independent public body established under the Gambling Act 2005. Its main objective is to ensure that gambling is conducted fairly, openly, and responsibly to protect the interests of consumers and the public.

The Commission sets and enforces codes of practice and industry standards related to responsible gambling. These standards cover areas such as advertising, marketing, age verification, customer interactions, and measures to prevent underage gambling.
The Gambling Commission works with other organizations and stakeholders to develop and implement the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms. This strategy aims to prevent and minimize the negative impacts of gambling, raise awareness, and provide support for individuals affected by problem gambling.

The Commission conducts or commissions research on gambling behavior, prevalence of problem gambling, and the effectiveness of responsible gambling measures. This research informs their regulatory decisions and the development of evidence-based policies.

The Commission oversees the GamStop self-exclusion scheme, which allows individuals to exclude themselves from all UK-licensed gambling websites for a chosen period, and actively promotes responsible gambling through public awareness campaigns, educational resources, and collaboration with organizations that support individuals affected by problem gambling.

More help, advice or counselling in the UK

GamCare

GamCare operate the National Gambling Helpline and offer confidential information, advice and support for anyone harmed by gambling in Great Britain. The Helpline is open 24 hours every day on Freephone 0808 8020 133, via Live Chat or WhatsApp Chat (mobile only). Advisers will listen to you, they won’t judge and your conversation is confidential.

GamCare also offers a moderated online forum and daily online group chatrooms to enable those affected by gambling harms to connect with others in similar situations, share their experience and support one another.

BeGambleAware
BeGambleAware provides information, advice and directs people to support to help keep people safe from gambling harms.
Website: www.begambleaware.org

The National Gambling Treatment Service
The National Gambling Treatment Service is a network of organisations working together to provide confidential treatment and support for anyone experiencing gambling-related harms, free to access across England, Scotland and Wales.
Website: www.begambleaware.org/ngts

Gambling Therapy
Gambling Therapy are a global online support service, offering advice in multiple languages for people who have been adversely affected by gambling.
Website: www.gamblingtherapy.org

Responsible Gambling in Ireland

In Ireland, the main body responsible for promoting safer gambling and regulating the gambling industry is the Irish Government's Department of Justice, with the oversight of the Irish Revenue Commissioners. The Department of Justice is responsible for developing and implementing gambling policy, while the Revenue Commissioners are tasked with licensing and regulating gambling operators.

Here's what these authorities do to promote safer gambling in Ireland:
The Department of Justice, together with the Revenue Commissioners, sets and enforces codes of practice and industry standards related to responsible gambling. These standards cover areas such as advertising, age verification, and measures to prevent problem gambling.
The Department of Health, through the Health Service Executive (HSE), provides support and treatment for individuals affected by problem gambling. The HSE offers counseling and helplines to assist those in need.
Relevant government departments may conduct or commission research on gambling behavior, problem gambling prevalence, and the effectiveness of responsible gambling initiatives. This research helps inform the development of policies and programs.

The Irish Government collaborates with various organizations to run public awareness campaigns about responsible gambling and the potential risks of gambling-related harm. These campaigns aim to educate the public and raise awareness of available support services.

It's important to note that the regulation of gambling in Ireland may involve collaboration among various government departments and agencies, each with specific responsibilities.

Responsible Gambling in Canada

Responsible gambling in Canada is a comprehensive approach taken by various provincial and territorial governments to promote safe and controlled gambling activities while minimizing the potential harms associated with gambling. Each province and territory in Canada has its own regulatory body responsible for overseeing and implementing responsible gambling measures within its jurisdiction.

Each province typically operates a problem gambling helpline that provides confidential support and resources for individuals struggling with gambling-related issues.

Responsible Gambling in Ontario

Responsible gambling in Ontario is overseen and promoted by iGaming Ontario (iGO) and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Both organizations work together to ensure that gambling activities within the province are conducted in a safe and responsible manner while providing support to individuals who may be experiencing gambling-related issues.

If you feel you might have a gambling problem, and want to seek further advice or counselling, you can visit these web sites:

• Connex Ontario
  1-866-531-2600 | Email | Chat (call, email, or web chat 24/7 from anywhere in Ontario)
• Gambling, Gaming and Technology Use (CAMH Self-Help Gambling Tools)
• GamblingTherapy (World Wide)

Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. Online poker sites operate pursuant to an agreement with iGaming Ontario.

For more information, visit the Ontario Players Homepage

Responsible Gambling in the Rest of the World

For other countries or territories we suggest using a search engine to perform a search for ‘problem gambling help’ to find the support that is available in your location.