Text: BIG Lotto for Health Charities
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Responsible Gambling Guide

While most people gamble for enjoyment and entertainment, there are some people for whom gambling is a problem that can cause financial and personal distress.

BIG Lotto for Health Charities is committed to providing a safe environment for lottery players to buy and manage their lottery entries online and does not encourage excessive gambling or extending yourself beyond your financial means. If you feel that your gambling is no longer fun, please seek assistance.

We are committed to the three main objectives of the Gambling Act 2005:

  • Prevent gambling from being a source of crime and disorder, being associated with crime and disorder, or being used to support crime.
  • Ensure that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way.
  • Protect children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

Gamble Safely

Please play responsibly.

BIG Lotto for Health Charities imposes a limit on the number of entries into our lottery that can be purchased by an individual (a limit of 5 subscription entries per week is imposed)

If you want to have a break from gambling you can self exclude by clicking here. To find out more information on how to do this click here. We will then close your membership(s) for a minimum period of six months, during which time it will not be possible for the account(s) to be re-opened for any reason.

If you are worried about online gambling, ‘site blockers’ are available to download. There are links from the GambleAware website to some of these available services (please note these ‘site blockers’ are not endorsed by, nor have been tested by BIG Lotto ).

Tips for safe gambling

  • Only gamble with money that you can afford to lose – don’t use money set aside to pay bills, rent, for food, etc.
  • Don’t borrow money to gamble.
  • Set a money limit and stick to it.
  • Set a time limit and stick to it.
  • Never chase losses – if you lose money, never try to get it back by going over your limit.
  • Don’t gamble when you are depressed, upset or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • Balance gambling with other activities – family, work, sleep, socialising, sport, hobbies, etc.

Problem gambling signs

The following signs may indicate a gambling problem:

  • Don’t think of gambling as a way to make money – winning is not assured so it is not an income.
  • Spending more money and time on gambling than you can afford.
  • Finding it hard to manage or stop your gambling.
  • Having arguments with family or friends about money and gambling.
  • Losing interest in usual activities or hobbies like going out with friends or spending time with family.
  • Always thinking or talking about gambling.
  • Lying about your gambling or hiding it from other people.
  • Chasing losses or gambling to get out of financial trouble.
  • Gambling until all your money is gone.
  • Borrowing money, selling possessions, or not paying bills in order to pay for gambling.
  • Needing to gamble with larger amounts of money or for a longer time to get the same feeling of excitement or buzz.
  • Neglecting work, school, family, personal needs, or household responsibilities because of gambling.
  • Feeling anxious, worried, guilty, depressed, or irritable.

Help & support

If you have problems with gambling, or know someone who does, the following organisations may help.

National Gambling Helpline – call freephone 0808 8020 133 (open 8am to midnight, 7 days a week)

GambleAware aims to promote responsibility in gambling. It provides information to help people make informed decisions about their gambling. It will help you to find out more about gambling and what responsible gambling means, to understand and recognise problem gambling, and show you where to go for further information, help and support should you need it.

Site blockers – If you are worried about online gambling then you can download a ‘site blocker’ such asGamblock or Netnanny, which can block access to online gambling sites. There is likely to be a cost for these services.

GamCare provides information, advice, support and free counselling for the prevention and treatment of problem gambling. GamCare aims to make it less likely for people to become problem gamblers, and easier for those who do experience problems to get the help they need. This is done by funding treatment services, by commissioning and supporting research on problem gambling, and through education and awareness programmes.