Problem Gambling | HRI Weekly Lottery

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. Calls outside of these hours will be taken by a message taking service.

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 www.begambleaware.org for more information and advice.

Self-Exclusion

Customers can request self-exclusion from The Heart Research Institute (UK) Lotteries if they have a gambling problem. Their details will be held on a log within 48 hours of receiving a self-exclusion notice and they will be refused entry and excluded from all Lottery promotional marketing for a minimum period of 6 months and up to 5 years.
Customers can decide to enter into a self-exclusion agreement immediately or if they wish to consider the self-exclusion further, the customer may return at a later date to enter into self-exclusion.
The Heart Research Institute (UK) will not market the Lottery to anyone on their self-exclusion log for a period of 7 years after the end of the self-exclusion period unless the customer takes positive action to gamble again within this 7 year period.
If an individual wishes to extend their self-exclusion period, they may do so by contacting The Heart Research Institute (UK) direct.
Where a customer makes a positive request to begin gambling again during the 7 year period following the end of their initial self-exclusion, the customer will be given a 24 hour cooling off period before any promotion of the lottery or entry into the lottery is made accessible to them. Contact must be made via phone or in person
Supporters can ask to be excluded by contacting the helpline number 01628 201284 or complete our online self-exclusion form.