Responsible Gaming

Gambling always carries the risk of financial loss and should be approached as a form of entertainment rather than a way to earn money. Responsible gaming principles help you remain in control of your gambling activity and protect your wellbeing over time.

• Set personal limits: decide on deposit, loss and time limits before you start playing, and stick to them throughout your session;
• Gamble within your budget: only wager money you can afford to lose, and never use funds needed for essential expenses;
• Avoid chasing losses: accept losses as part of gambling, and resist the urge to increase bets in an attempt to win back money;
• Take regular breaks: step away from gambling activity at intervals to maintain a clear perspective and avoid impulsive decisions;
• Balance gambling with daily life: keep gambling as one of several leisure activities, alongside work, family and social commitments;
• Stop when it stops being enjoyable: if gambling feels stressful or compulsory rather than fun, end the session and consider a break.

Gambling addiction can develop gradually, often without early awareness. Early recognition of warning signs supports responsible gambling habits and protects your wellbeing. Problem gambling is a recognised condition that may require professional support.

• Spending more than intended: regularly betting larger amounts of money or time than originally planned;
• Chasing losses: increasing bets or continuing to play in an attempt to recover previous losses;
• Borrowing money to gamble: using loans, credit or borrowed funds to finance gambling activity;
• Hiding gambling habits: concealing the amount of time or money spent gambling from family or friends;
• Neglecting responsibilities: missing work, study or personal obligations because of gambling;
• Gambling to escape problems: using gambling as a way to relieve stress, anxiety or other difficult emotions;
• Failed attempts to stop: trying to cut down or quit gambling without success;
• Financial difficulties: experiencing debt, unpaid bills or other money problems linked to gambling;
• Preoccupation with gambling: constantly thinking about past sessions or planning the next one;
• Irritability when not gambling: feeling restless, anxious or short tempered when unable to gamble.

Control over betting activity helps reduce the risk of developing problematic habits. Gambiva recommends the following practical steps for players seeking to gamble responsibly.

• Set a fixed budget before placing any bets, and treat this amount as the maximum you are willing to lose;
• Use deposit and loss limits available on the platform to restrict spending automatically;
• Schedule regular breaks between betting sessions to avoid extended or impulsive play;
• Avoid betting under the influence of alcohol, stress or strong emotions, as judgement may be affected;
• Seek support promptly from a trusted organisation if betting begins to feel difficult to control.

People experiencing gambling addiction or struggling to control their gambling can access confidential support from trusted organisations. The following services offer guidance, treatment and helplines for people in the United Kingdom.

• GamCare: a leading UK charity providing free confidential support, counselling and the National Gambling Helpline for anyone affected by gambling harm, available at www.gamcare.org.uk.
• GambleAware: an independent charity funding education, prevention and treatment services for gambling harm across the United Kingdom, available at www.begambleaware.org.
• GAMSTOP: a free self-exclusion scheme that allows you to restrict your access to gambling websites and apps licensed in Great Britain, available at www.gamstop.co.uk.
• Gamblers Anonymous UK: a fellowship of men and women who share their experience to help each other recover from gambling addiction, available at www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk.
• Gordon Moody: a specialist charity offering residential and outpatient treatment programmes for people severely affected by gambling addiction, available at www.gordonmoody.org.uk.

Users experiencing difficulties with gambling addiction can contact Gambiva support for assistance and guidance. Support can be reached through the following channels:

• Live chat: available directly through the Gambiva website for immediate assistance;
• Email support: contact the dedicated support department through the email address listed on the Gambiva website;
• Help centre: browse frequently asked questions and guidance articles within the Gambiva help section.