Responsible Gaming
Gambling Should Be Entertainment
At Thames Strategy, we believe gambling should be enjoyed as a form of entertainment only. Betting should never be viewed as a way to earn money, pay bills, or solve financial problems. Always gamble within your means and only with money you can afford to lose.
Remember: The odds are always in favour of the betting operator. If you find yourself chasing losses or gambling more than intended, please seek help immediately.
Age Verification & Legal Requirements
All users must be 18 years of age or older to use betting sites in the United Kingdom. This is a legal requirement under UK gambling regulations.
If you are under 18, we strongly encourage you not to gamble. Gambling can be particularly harmful during developmental years. If you have concerns about a young person's gambling, please contact GamCare.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can develop gradually. Please check if you recognise any of these warning signs:
- Chasing losses by gambling more money to try to recover what you've lost
- Gambling with money needed for essentials like rent, bills, or food
- Hiding your gambling activities from family, friends, or partners
- Gambling for longer periods or with larger amounts than intended
- Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when trying to cut down or stop
- Neglecting work, school, family, or social responsibilities
- Borrowing money or accumulating debt to fund gambling
- Losing relationships or opportunities due to gambling
- Using gambling to escape problems or negative emotions
- Failed attempts to reduce or control your gambling
If you experience any of these signs, it's important to take action and seek support.
Self-Help Tools & Safer Gambling Features
Most UK betting sites offer tools to help you stay in control:
- Deposit Limits: Set a maximum amount you can deposit within a day, week, or month
- Loss Limits: Set a limit on how much you're willing to lose during a specified period
- Reality Checks: Receive notifications during your gambling session to remind you of time spent and money wagered
- Session Time Limits: Set automatic session timeout periods
- Self-Exclusion: Temporarily or permanently ban yourself from a betting site
- Take a Break: Most operators allow you to pause your account for a set period
Make use of these features to maintain control over your gambling. If your operator doesn't offer these tools, consider choosing one that does.
Support Organisations & Help Resources
If you're struggling with gambling, help is available. Below are organisations that provide free, confidential support:
United Kingdom
- GamCare – Free counselling and support for problem gambling
www.gamcare.org.uk
Phone: 0808 8020 133 (free and confidential) - GamStop – National self-exclusion scheme for online gambling
www.gamstop.co.uk
Allows you to self-exclude from all UK-regulated online gambling operators - National Problem Gambling Clinic – Specialist NHS service
Available through NHS referral - Gamblers Anonymous – Free peer support groups across the UK
Phone: 07700 184 826
International Support
- 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
All of these organisations provide free, confidential support and are staffed by trained professionals.
If You Need Help
If you think you may have a gambling problem, please reach out for help today. Problem gambling is treatable, and support is available.
Contact GamCare on 0808 8020 133 (free and confidential) or visit www.gamcare.org.uk to speak to a counsellor.
You can also register with GamStop at www.gamstop.co.uk to exclude yourself from all UK-regulated online gambling operators immediately.
Remember: Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. You are not alone.