Responsible Gambling

Responsible Gambling / Problem Gambling Procedure

How to identify if gambling is becoming a problem

The majority of people do gamble responsibly. It may help you to keep your gambling under control by remembering the following:

  • You're taking part for fun - not as a means of investing your money
  • Before playing, set strict limits on how much time and money you're going to spend
  • Quit while you're ahead
  • Only gamble with money you can afford to lose
  • Don't spend more money on gambling, hoping to win back money that you've lost
  • Keep up other interests and hobbies - don't let gambling take over your life
  • Don't gamble in order to escape from stress or boredom
  • Gambling in moderation is okay

For some however gambling can become a problem. If you are concerned about the amount you are gambling, and feel it is taking over your life - or you are concerned for a friend or relative - then the following questions may help you by giving you some guidance.

Have others ever criticised your gambling?

  • Have you lied to cover up the amount you have gambled or the time you have spent doing it?
  • Do arguments, frustrations or disappointments make you want to gamble?
  • Do you gamble alone for long periods?
  • Do you stay away from work or college to gamble?
  • Do you gamble to escape from a boring or unhappy life?
  • Are you reluctant to spend 'gambling money' on anything else?
  • Have you lost interest in your family, friends or pastimes due to gambling?
  • After losing, do you feel you must try to win back your losses as soon as possible?
  • When gambling and you run out of money, do you feel lost and in despair, and need to gamble again as soon as possible?
  • Do you gamble until your last penny is gone?
  • Have you lied, stolen or borrowed just to get money to gamble or to pay gambling debts?
  • Do you feel depressed or even suicidal because of your gambling?

If you are answering 'yes' to some of these questions, then it is likely that a gambling problem exists. For friendly and helpful advice from trained counsellors call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. The helpline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Sometimes just telling someone about your problem can be a relief and it is the first step towards dealing with your problem. You can also visit the GambleAware website begambleaware.org for more information and advice.

Self Exclusion

On request we will put a block on supporters’ records to exclude themselves from our raffle mailings. This block will remain unless we are asked by the individual to remove it. If you would like to be excluded from future PDSA raffles please contact the Supporter Services Team on 0300 330 9257 or email them at: raffle@pdsa.org.uk

If you feel you have a problem with gambling, please visit https://www.gambleaware.org/home/

The following procedures have been put in place to encourage people to gamble responsibly and seek help should gambling become a problem:

Our website carries information encouraging people to gamble responsibly, and recognise the signs of problem gambling. We also include the National Gambling Helpline and gambleaware.org website details for people to refer to should they need further help.

The National Gambling Helpline number and GambleAware website address is included on all tickets and entry forms as well as our website address that includes information on gambling.

Players can request a self-exclusion to be added to the PDSA database so that they are removed from further addressed lottery communications including post, telephone, email and SMS. All self-exclusion requests along with the date of the request will be captured on to the record on the PDSA database and will be in place for a minimum of six months. All reasonable steps will be taken to prevent any self excluded individuals participating.

To self exclude please see our self exclusion policy on our Problem Gambling page.

Staff are trained on self exclusion and will signpost counselling and support services.

To stop receiving unaddressed mail delivered by your postman, visit the Royal Mail website.

A restriction of 60 tickets per customer will be in place unless customer interaction occurs. Without customer interaction chances will not be entered in to the draw. Interactions will be recorded and where the tickets are purchased beyond the limit, records will be kept for 3 years.

All relevant sources of information will be used to identify customers at risk of problem gambling. Lotteries are only conducted with an External Lottery Manager (CFP) who is registered with the Gambling Commission (licence number 000-000-584-R-103711).