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At dograces.co.uk, we are passionate about greyhound racing. We believe that enjoying the sport and having a flutter should always be a fun, entertaining, and positive experience. However, we also recognise that for some, gambling can become a problem.

We are fully committed to promoting responsible gambling. This page outlines our approach to keeping you safe, the tools available to help you stay in control, and where to find professional help if you need it.

1. Keeping it Fun: The Golden Rules

Gambling should always be treated as a form of entertainment, not a way to make money or solve financial problems. To ensure your betting remains safe and enjoyable, please remember these fundamental rules:

  • Bet only what you can afford to lose: Never use money set aside for essentials like rent, bills, or food.
  • Set limits before you start: Decide on a budget and a time limit for your session and stick to it, regardless of whether you are winning or losing.
  • Never chase losses: trying to win back lost money usually leads to bigger losses. Accept defeat and walk away.
  • Don’t bet under the influence: Drugs and alcohol cloud judgement and lead to rash decisions.
  • Keep track: Monitor how much time and money you are spending on gambling activities.

2. Recognising the Signs of Problem Gambling

It is important to regularly reflect on your gambling habits. If the fun has stopped, it is time to stop. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do you stay away from work or college to gamble?
  • Do you gamble to escape worry, boredom, or trouble?
  • If you run out of money while gambling, do you feel lost and desperate to find more funds to continue?
  • Have you ever lied to cover up the amount of money or time you have spent gambling?
  • Have you lost interest in family, friends, or hobbies due to gambling?
  • Are you borrowing money or selling possessions to gamble or pay gambling debts?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may be developing a gambling problem and should seek help immediately using the resources listed at the bottom of this page.

3. Tools to Help You Stay in Control

If you bet online, all reputable UK-licensed bookmakers provide tools designed to help you manage your activity. We strongly recommend you utilise these features on the sites you bet with:

  • Deposit Limits: Cap the amount you can deposit into your account over a daily, weekly, or monthly period.
  • Reality Checks: Set pop-up alerts that remind you how long you have been logged in.
  • Cooling-Off Periods (Time-Outs): Take a short break from a betting site (usually from 24 hours up to 6 weeks).
  • Account History: Regularly review your transaction history to see exactly how much you have deposited and withdrawn.

Self-Exclusion and GAMSTOP

If you feel you have lost control and need a complete break, you should use Self-Exclusion. This is a formal process where you ask a betting operator to prevent you from accessing your account for a minimum of six months.

For maximum protection, we highly recommend registering with GAMSTOP. GAMSTOP is a free service that lets you put controls in place to restrict your online gambling activities. By signing up, you will be prevented from using gambling websites and apps run by companies licensed in Great Britain, for a period of your choosing.

4. Protecting Minors (18+ Only)

It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to gamble in the UK.

dograces.co.uk is not designed for, nor directed at, anyone under 18. If you share your computer or mobile device with minors, please take suitable precautions to prevent them from accessing gambling sites.

We recommend using filtering software such as Net Nanny or CyberPatrol to block access to gambling-related content on your devices.

5. Help and Support

You are not alone. If you are concerned about your own gambling, or worried about a friend or family member, free, confidential, and professional help is available 24/7.

BeGambleAware

BeGambleAware provides information, advice, and direct access to support for anyone affected by gambling harms.

GamCare

GamCare is the leading UK provider of information, advice, and support for anyone harmed by gambling. They offer live chat and group chat services.

 

6. International Support

 

If you are visiting us from outside the UK, please use the dedicated support services available in your country.

 

🇮🇪 Ireland

 

If you are in Ireland and concerned about your gambling, specific help is available.

  • GamblingCare.ie Funded by the Gambling Awareness Trust, this service provides information and a national helpline for those affecting by problem gambling.

     

  • Problem Gambling Ireland Providing independent advice and referrals to support services.

 

🇦🇺 Australia

 

For our Australian visitors, free and confidential support is available 24/7.

  • Gambling Help Online A national service providing live chat, email support, and self-help tools.

  • BetStop – The National Self-Exclusion Register Similar to GAMSTOP in the UK, this is a free government service that allows you to block yourself from all Australian licensed online and phone wagering providers.