For most people, gambling is a fun thing to do. A small deposit, a few wagers, or a cheeky flutter here and there can add a bit of thrill to your day. But for some, gambling can get out of control, creating financial and emotional challenges… or worse.
That’s why Safer Gambling Week 2024 (SGW) which is running from Monday 18th of November to Sunday 24th of November is so important. This annual campaign brings the uncomfortable but essential topic of gambling harm into focus.
As experts in providing information and reviews for online bingo, slots, and casino brands, it’s a conversation we won’t avoid. We’re proud to promote Safer Gambling Week 2024 and let it be a reminder that help and support are always available. It’s important to us all at WhichBingo to look out for our community and ensure our players feel informed, safe, and supported.
The Goals of Safer Gambling Week
Now in its seventh year, Safer Gambling Week is focused on raising awareness, driving real change, and building meaningful conversations by uniting a wide range of groups—players, operators, the media, support organisations, government bodies, and more—to promote the message that gambling can be enjoyed safely with the right precautions in place.
The key objectives include:
- Promoting Safer Gambling Practices: Educating players on how to gamble responsibly.
- Highlighting Available Tools: Showcasing tools that help players stay in control, such as deposit limits and self-exclusion.
- Providing Support Resources: Directing individuals to further advice if they need help managing their gambling behaviour.
Safer Gambling Week’s Impact
According to the Betting and Gaming Council which analysed 2023’s SGW campaign, operators saw an increase of 30% in the use of responsible gambling tools including deposit limits (54% of players did so for the first time) and time-outs, plus the number of players activating a reality check during SGW increased by over 300% for the second year in a row.
Evidently, Safer Gambling Week can have a real impact on player behaviour.
Backed by MPs, regulators, industry leaders, the Betting and Gaming Council, plus Premier League clubs such as West Ham and Brighton among others who displayed the Safer Gambling Week logo on their shirts, SGW, supported by the Betting and Gaming Council, aims to promote keeping gambling safe and enjoyable for millions of players.
BGC CEO and Acting Chair Michael Dugher said: “These new figures show Safer Gambling Week continues to be a powerful advert for increasing use of safer gambling tools in the regulated industry”.
Key Tips for Staying Safe While Gambling
Safer Gambling Week is the perfect opportunity to reflect on your own gambling habits. Here are a few simple reminders to keep things fun and under control:
- Set your limits for time and money: Decide in advance how much you can afford to spend and stick to it.
- Only spend what you can afford to lose: Gambling should never put you in financial trouble.
- Don’t chase your losses: It’s easy to think you can win it all back, but this can lead to bigger losses.
- Take breaks: Stepping away gives you time to think and helps prevent gambling from becoming all-consuming.
- Remember what matters most: Your friends, family, and well-being should always come first.
Let’s Make Safer Gambling a Priority
Safer Gambling Week is the time to think about how we can all play more safely. Whether you’re a casual bingo player, slot spinner or casino fan, these tools and tips are here to help you stay in control and keep gambling fun.
Let’s make safer gambling a priority—not just for the week, but all year round.
Reader comments