Responsible Gaming

Gaming Should Be Entertainment

At Heart Support Group, we believe that gambling should only ever be viewed as a form of entertainment, not as a way to make money or solve financial problems. Betting should be fun, affordable, and within your means. If you find yourself gambling beyond what you can afford to lose, or if gambling is causing distress in your life, please reach out for support.

Age Verification

In the United Kingdom, you must be at least 18 years of age to participate in gambling activities. By using Betfred or any affiliated betting services through this site, you confirm that you are of legal gambling age in your jurisdiction. If you are under 18, please do not proceed with any gambling activities.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can develop gradually. Please review the following checklist. If you recognise any of these signs in yourself or someone you know, seek help immediately:

• Chasing losses by betting more money to recover what you've lost
• Hiding gambling activity or lying about the amount of time and money spent
• Feeling anxious or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling
• Neglecting family, friends, work, or education due to gambling
• Borrowing money to gamble or pay gambling debts
• Gambling with money meant for bills, rent, or essential expenses
• Experiencing mood swings or using gambling to escape problems
• Unsuccessful attempts to reduce or control gambling
• Continuing to gamble despite negative consequences
• Feeling that gambling is the only way to have fun or relax

Self-Help Tools and Safeguards

Most reputable betting operators, including Betfred, offer tools to help you maintain control of your gambling:

• Deposit Limits: Set a maximum amount you can deposit within a specific time period (daily, weekly, or monthly)
• Loss Limits: Set a limit on the amount you're willing to lose
• Reality Checks: Receive reminders about how long you've been gambling and how much you've spent
• Self-Exclusion: Exclude yourself from gambling for a set period, preventing access to your account
• Account Closure: Permanently close your betting account if needed
• Time-Out: Take a temporary break from gambling without closing your account permanently

We recommend speaking with Betfred's customer support team to activate these tools on your account.

Support Organizations

If you or someone you know needs help with problem gambling, the following organisations offer free, confidential support:

United Kingdom

• GamCare – Free counselling and support for problem gambling
  Website: www.gamcare.org.uk
  Phone: 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7)
• GamStop – The UK's national self-exclusion scheme
  Website: www.gamstop.co.uk
  Allows you to self-exclude from all licensed UK gambling operators
• Gamblers Anonymous – Peer support and recovery meetings
  Website: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk

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
  National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700 (free, confidential, 24/7)
• Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) – www.bzga.de

Need Help? Take Action Today

If you are struggling with gambling, please know that help is available and recovery is possible. Reach out to one of the organisations listed above. They offer free, confidential support and are staffed by trained professionals who understand problem gambling.

Contact GamCare today on 0808 8020 133 or visit www.gamcare.org.uk

Remember: seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Your wellbeing is more important than any bet.