Responsible Gaming
Gambling Should Be Entertainment
At Old Rectory Lacock, we believe gambling should only ever be viewed as a form of entertainment, not as a way to earn money or solve financial problems. While we provide information about non-GamStop betting sites, we are committed to promoting responsible gambling practices.
If you choose to gamble, please do so within your means and only with money you can afford to lose.
Age Verification
All gambling in the United Kingdom is strictly reserved for persons aged 18 years or older. We strongly encourage parents and guardians to discuss the risks of gambling with young people and to use parental controls where available.
If you are under 18, you must not use any betting or gambling services. It is illegal for operators to offer gambling services to minors.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can develop gradually. Please be aware of these warning signs:
- Chasing losses by gambling more to try to recover money lost
- Gambling with increasing amounts of money to achieve the same level of excitement
- Difficulty controlling, cutting back, or stopping gambling
- Hiding gambling activities from family, friends, or professionals
- Experiencing anxiety, depression, or mood swings related to gambling
- Neglecting work, education, or personal relationships due to gambling
- Using gambling as an escape from problems or negative emotions
- Borrowing money or accumulating debt to fund gambling
- Lying about the time or money spent on gambling
- Physical symptoms such as sleep problems or stress-related illness
If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or someone you know, please seek help immediately.
Self-Help Tools and Controls
Most UK betting operators provide tools to help you gamble responsibly:
- Deposit Limits: Set a maximum amount you can deposit over a specific period (daily, weekly, or monthly)
- Loss Limits: Set a maximum amount you are willing to lose
- Reality Checks: Receive reminders about how long you have been gambling
- Session Time Limits: Restrict how long you can gamble in a single session
- Self-Exclusion: Voluntarily exclude yourself from accessing an operator's services
- Account Closure: Permanently close your account if needed
We encourage you to use these tools. Speak with your betting operator's customer support team to activate any of these features on your account.
Support Organizations
If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, professional help is available. Please contact one of the following organizations:
United Kingdom
- GamCare – Free, confidential counselling and support
Website: www.gamcare.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free and confidential) - GamStop – The National Self-Exclusion Scheme
Website: www.gamstop.co.uk
Self-exclude from all UK-licensed operators - Gamblers Anonymous – Free peer support groups
Website: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk - National Problem Gambling Clinic – NHS-funded specialist treatment
Website: www.cnwl.nhs.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
- Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) – www.bzga.de
Need Help?
If you believe you have a problem with gambling, please seek help today. There is no shame in asking for support—problem gambling is treatable, and recovery is possible.
Do not wait until the situation becomes worse. Reach out to one of the organizations listed above or speak to your GP, who can provide referrals to local services.
Remember: gambling should be fun. If it stops being fun, it's time to take action.