Need Gaming Advice?

We at Bestcasino.co.uk fully understand just how much fun gambling can be and how the extraordinary impact of the Internet has now given consumers access to an unprecedented universe of diverse, dependable gambling entertainment open all hours and to suit all depths of pocket. We want our visitors to enjoy the very best UK online casino gaming they can, however we also want them to do so responsibly. This means we do not ignore the potential problems that can accompany this activity. For some unfortunate players gambling can quickly turn from regular fun to recurrent nightmare.

Knowing when to stop playing is as much a part of playing online casinos as knowing how to use their software, so here are three easy rules to remember that are recognised as the foundation of an intelligent strategy to keep you in control of your gambling, and keep you enjoying it for all the right reasons:

Never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose.
Never chase your losses. Do not continue to gamble believing you can recover a loss.
Always keep track of the time and money you have spent playing. Set yourself sensible limits and stick to them!

Problem Gambling

Just like problem drinking, recognising that you might have a problem with gambling is not always an easy thing to do. However there are certain patterns of behaviour that can be valuable indicators that you could be getting into difficulty. The following is a checklist to consider. The more of these criteria you feel could or do apply to you the greater the likelihood that your gambling has become an issue that requires help.

Have you ever lied to someone about how much money or time you've spent gambling?
Have people close to you disapproved of your gambling habits?
Have you ever stolen or borrowed money to continue gambling or pay off a gambling debt?
When you lose, do you feel compelled to gamble hoping to win back the loss as soon as possible?
When gambling, do you feel a sense of despair if you run out of money, wanting to play again as soon as possible?
Do you gamble as a means to combat feeling bored or unhappy?
Do personal conflicts and frustrations trigger a desire to go gambling?
Do you put off or ignore work / family commitments so that you can gamble?
Do you only stop gambling when you've spent all your available funds?
Has your gambling activities become the priority for you over; a choice over and above family, friends and other pastimes?
Do you feel depressed, even potentially suicidal during or after gambling?

Getting Help

If you feel that your gambling is becoming or has become a problem do not delay seeking help. There are two UK organisations we can recommend who provide free and confidential advice and support. They are:

GamCare

GamCare is a UK registered charity focused on three areas of gambling issues:

Improving the understanding of gambling's social impact,
Promoting a responsible approach to gambling, and
Addressing the needs of those adversely affected by a gambling dependency.

GamCare takes a non-judgmental approach towards gambling and gamblers, becoming a recognised authority on the topic, and provides an excellent resource of advice and practical help to address the many social consequences of gambling.

To make contact with GamCare to learn more about its service or obtain specific help, please click here or telephone on its confidential helpline 0845 6000 133 (charged at local rate for UK residents).

Gamblers Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous is a formally organised support group of men and women who meet regularly in regional forums and online to address their own specific gambling problems and to help other compulsive gamblers do the same.

Gamblers Anonymous describes itself as ‘Offering The Hand of Friendship to Compulsive Gamblers' and you can get more information about how its network can help you via its website here, and also through a set of regional, 24-hour telephone helplines (listed below) which are confidential and manned by volunteers who have first-hand experience of gambling dependency:

London - 020 7384 3040
Manchester - 0161 976 5000
Glasgow - 08700 50 88 81
Sheffield - 0114 262 0026
Birmingham - 0121 233 1335
Ulster - 0287 135 1329