Responsible Gaming

Gambling Should Be Entertainment

At Ciao Bournemouth, we believe gambling should only ever be viewed as a form of entertainment, not as a way to earn money or solve financial problems. When you use Sky Bet or any betting site, you should only gamble with money you can afford to lose.

Please gamble responsibly and within your means. If you're unsure about your gambling habits, the resources on this page can help.

Age Verification

In the United Kingdom, you must be 18 years of age or older to gamble legally. All reputable betting sites, including those we affiliate with, require age verification before allowing you to place bets.

If you are under 18, gambling is illegal and can cause serious harm. Please do not attempt to circumvent age restrictions.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can develop gradually. Be aware of these warning signs:

• Constantly thinking about gambling or past betting experiences
• Needing to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same excitement
• Chasing losses by gambling more to try to recover money you've lost
• Gambling to escape problems, stress, anxiety, or depression
• Lying to family, friends, or others about how much you gamble
• Neglecting work, school, family, or social activities due to gambling
• Borrowing money or using savings to fund gambling
• Feeling anxious, irritable, or unable to control your gambling urges
• Unsuccessful attempts to reduce or stop gambling

If you recognise any of these signs in yourself or someone else, help is available.

Self-Help Tools & Responsible Gambling Features

Most licensed betting sites offer built-in tools to help you gamble responsibly:

• Deposit Limits: Set a maximum amount you're willing to deposit in a specified period (daily, weekly, or monthly)
• Loss Limits: Set a maximum amount you're willing to lose before your account is temporarily suspended
• Reality Checks: Receive pop-up reminders about how long you've been gambling and how much you've spent
• Self-Exclusion: Exclude yourself from betting sites for a set period, or permanently
• Account Closure: Permanently close your account if you wish to stop gambling altogether

Use these tools proactively. Most betting operators provide easy access to these settings in your account dashboard.

Support Organisations

If you're struggling with gambling, confidential support is available:

United Kingdom

• GamCare – Free counselling, support, and self-help tools
  www.gamcare.org.uk
  Phone: 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7)
• GamStop – The National Self-Exclusion Scheme
  www.gamstop.co.uk
  Self-exclude from all licensed online gambling operators at once
• Gamblers Anonymous – Peer support meetings and 12-step programme
  Free and confidential support from others in recovery

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
• Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) – www.bzga.de

Need Help?

If you think you may have a gambling problem, or if someone you care about does, please reach out for support today. There is no shame in asking for help—gambling addiction is a recognised condition, and recovery is possible.

Contact GamCare immediately on 0808 8020 133 or visit www.gamcare.org.uk to speak with a trained counsellor confidentially.

Remember: You are not alone, and help is available.