Updated on October 2024
Betting online should always be fun, and never become a source of danger. That's why Wincomparator makes it a point of honour to fight against gambling addiction. We do so in collaboration with experienced organizations. On this page, you will find all the information you need to protect yourself.
According to the official definition, addiction "is a state characterized by the need to achieve something, to increase its frequency, or even to prolong its effects". In the context of sports betting, this dependency is characterized, for example, by continually placing bets that are not consistent with your monetary budget. or by a willingness to place bets after suffering losses in an attempt to improve your financial position. When this happens betting is no longer a pleasure or an extension of sporting passion. Instead it becomes something that you feel you have to do and this can be dangerous..
To recognize a state of addiction to sports betting, it is important to take stock of your gambling practices. Are you a recreational bettor, a fun bettor, or unfortunately an excessive bettor?
In the case of the "recreational bettor", online betting remains something that you enjoy doing and get pleasure from. Betting on sports events can make watching them even more enjoyable. Like the vast majority of players, there is no danger, and you know how to limit your bets according to your abilities.
In the case of the "excessive bettor", on the contrary, online betting is no longer a simple pleasure but an obligation, which leads to betting excessively. You treat betting as a way of making money and this is referred to as problem gambling.
The UK Gambling Commission has a page dedicated to the subject of problem gambling. https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-the-public/Safer-gambling/Getting-help-to-control-your-gambling.aspx This includes a list of the signs that someone may be having problems. There are also links to specialist groups that can help people and this is well worth visiting.
Signs that you may be developing a gambling problem include:
If you recognize any of these behaviours in your gambling, it is possible that you may be addicted to sports betting. Don't panic, however, there are organizations available that can offer help to get you out of this negative spiral. It is important to remember that you are not alone!
In view of the above points, do you think you are addicted to sports betting? Before contacting specialized organizations, a few solutions are available to you.
On any ANJ-licensed sports betting site in France, you are required to set your own gambling limits. This may include your deposit limits, or your weekly betting limits. If when you opened your account you had pushed these limits to the maximum so as not to be restricted, don't hesitate to lower them drastically at first. This will allow you to limit the risk of making bets that do not fit in with your financial budget and can cause financial problems.
It may be that you believe just setting low limits won’t stop your betting irresponsibly. If this is the case then it is possible to self-exclude yourself from the site. This can be done both easily and quickly. Once done, you will not have any access to your usual bookmaker's services and continue to bet irresponsibly. Generally this you can be self-excluded for a period of three years and there will be full details of how to do this on the website, as required by law. In case of difficulty in self-exclusion, do not hesitate to contact the customer service department of your bookmaker. They will be able to guide you through the process.
You no longer have any doubts about your addiction to sports betting? Before contacting the specialized organizations, you can ask for your voluntary gambling ban. To summarize the process, this voluntary gambling ban will prevent you from creating an account at online bookmakers, from accessing your already created accounts, but also from accessing the casino rooms. To proceed it is very easy, follow the government instructions present on this article. For a minimum period of three years, your voluntary gambling ban will be automatically renewed without any demonstration on your part.
If you have any questions or doubts about your potential sports betting addiction, please do not hesitate to contact the following organizations. Competent and attentive, they will be able to help you get out of your gambling addiction.
There are organizations in the UK, Australia, the USA and Canada. Do not hesitate to contact them now if you believe that help is needed.
Begambleaware – Their postal address is Pennine Place, 2a Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0HF. Their website is https://www.begambleaware.org/ and this includes a live chat service.
National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133
GamCare - https://www.gamcare.org.uk/
Responsible Gambling
The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) runs the National Responsible Gambling Programme. Their aim is to deal with the challenges posed by problem gambling since the industry was legalized in 1996.
https://responsiblegambling.org.za/
Office Number: +27 11 026 7323
International Number: +27 21 674 5830
GmHelp - Kenya
This is a tech-driven call center that deals with problem gambling in a number of ways. This includes e-therapy web based and mobile platforms for diagnosis and treatment. They also have toll-free phone lines for counselling services. Also offered is one-to-one therapy and other mental health services.
Toll Free Hotline - 0800 723 123
The leading provider of responsible gambling resources in the country is the East Africa Center for Responsible Gambling (EACRG).
Email: info@eastafricaresponsiblegambling.org
Call: +254700656284 or +254725492006
Gambling Helps
http://www.gamblinghelpsa.org.au/
Free call: 1800 934 196
Local call: (08) 8216 5246
Gambling Help Online
https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/
They also offer a counselling service at https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/take-a-step-forward/chat-counselling.
The National Council on Problem Gambling
https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/national-helpline-1-800-522-4700/
Help is available 24/7 and is 100% confidential.
Responsible Gambling
https://www.responsiblegambling.org/for-the-public/safer-play/
411 Richmond Street East, Suite 205
Toronto, Ontario M5A 3S5
Phone : +1 (416) 499-9800
ProblemGambling
https://www.problemgambling.ca/gambling-help/getting-help/default.aspx
Game: help and reference
1.800.461-0140
jar@info-reference.qc.ca
International
Gamblers Anonymous http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/hotlines
Gam-Anon