Responsible Gaming
Gambling Should Be Entertainment
At Cerne Church Friends, we believe gambling should only ever be viewed as a form of entertainment, not as a way to earn money or solve financial problems. Betting on Sky Bet and other platforms should be enjoyable and within your means. Please only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
Age Verification
In the United Kingdom, you must be 18 years of age or older to gamble legally. If you are under 18, you are not permitted to place bets or access gambling services. We take this responsibility seriously and encourage parents and guardians to monitor young people's online activity.
All operators featured on this site are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, which enforces strict age verification requirements.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Please be aware of these common warning signs. If you recognise any of these behaviours in yourself or someone else, help is available:
- Chasing losses by gambling more to win back money you've lost
- Gambling with increasing amounts of money to achieve the same excitement
- Hiding or lying about the extent of your gambling
- Neglecting work, family, or social obligations due to gambling
- Borrowing money or going into debt to fund gambling
- Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when unable to gamble
- Unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop gambling
- Using gambling to escape problems, anxiety, or stress
- Experiencing mood swings related to gambling wins and losses
Self-Help Tools & Responsible Gambling Features
Most reputable betting operators provide tools to help you gamble responsibly. These include:
- Deposit Limits: Set a maximum amount you can deposit within a specified time period (daily, weekly, or monthly)
- Loss Limits: Set a maximum amount you're willing to lose over a given timeframe
- Stake Limits: Control the maximum amount you can wager on individual bets
- Reality Checks: Receive regular reminders about how long you've been gambling
- Time-Out: Take a temporary break from gambling for a period you choose (hours to weeks)
- Self-Exclusion: Exclude yourself from a betting operator for a set period or permanently
We encourage you to use these tools proactively. Most betting sites make these options easily accessible in account settings.
Get Help – Support Organizations
If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, please reach out to one of these organisations:
United Kingdom
- GamCare – Free counselling, support, and information
www.gamcare.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free and confidential) - GamStop – National self-exclusion scheme
www.gamstop.co.uk
Self-exclude from all UK licensed gambling operators at once - Gamblers Anonymous – Peer support and recovery meetings
Tel: 07494 594 049
Other Countries
- 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
National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700 - Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA)
Telefonberatung: 0800 1 372 374
Take Action Today
If you're concerned about your gambling or that of someone close to you, please seek help immediately. There is no shame in asking for support – trained advisors are ready to help you take back control.
Remember: Gambling should be fun. If it's causing distress, financial hardship, or affecting your relationships, it's time to reach out.