How to identify if gambling is becoming a problem

The majority of people do gamble responsibly. It may help you to keep your gambling under control by remembering the following:

• You're taking part for fun - not as a means of investing your money
• Before playing, set strict limits on how much time and money you're going to spend
• Quit while you're ahead
• Only gamble with money you can afford to lose
• Don't spend more money on gambling, hoping to win back money that you've lost
• Keep up other interests and hobbies - don't let gambling take over your life
• Don't gamble in order to escape from stress or boredom
• Gambling in moderation is okay

For some however gambling can become a problem. If you are concerned about the amount you are gambling, and feel it is taking over your life - or you are concerned for a friend or relative - then the following questions may help you by giving you some guidance.

Have others ever criticised your gambling?

• Have you lied to cover up the amount you have gambled or the time you have spent doing it?
• Do arguments, frustrations or disappointments make you want to gamble?
• Do you gamble alone for long periods?
• Do you stay away from work or college to gamble?
• Do you gamble to escape from a boring or unhappy life?
• Are you reluctant to spend 'gambling money' on anything else?
• Have you lost interest in your family, friends or pastimes due to gambling?
• After losing, do you feel you must try to win back your losses as soon as possible?
• When gambling and you run out of money, do you feel lost and in despair, and need to gamble again as soon as possible?
• Do you gamble until your last penny is gone?
• Have you lied, stolen or borrowed just to get money to gamble or to pay gambling debts?
• Do you feel depressed or even suicidal because of your gambling?

If you are answering 'yes' to some of these questions, then it is likely that a gambling problem exists. For friendly and helpful advice from trained counsellors call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. The helpline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Calls outside of these hours will be taken by a message taking service.

Sometimes just telling someone about your problem can be a relief and it is the first step towards dealing with your problem. You can also visit the GamCare website for more information and advice.

Sustrans Responsible Gambling and Self-Exclusion Guide

Sustrans has put in place the following actions and procedures to encourage people to gamble responsibly and seek help should gambling become a problem:

• The Sustrans website and our online raffle site (raffleplayer.com/sustrans) carry information on how to recognise the signs of problem gambling, how to self-exclude, and where to seek help should you feel that you or somebody you know has problems with gambling. Printed copies of these policies and information are also available by post on request.
• The National Gambling Helpline (0800 8020 133) and the GamCare website (www.gamcare.org.uk) are:

          + Printed on all raffle tickets
          + Included in the Raffle’s terms and conditions
          + Available on our website
          + Available on our online Raffle portal at www.raffleplayer.com/sustrans

• We limit the total number of tickets available to purchase to 60. This applies to:

          + Both the postal raffle and the online raffle, or a combination of both methods, and;
          + Single transactions or purchases across multiple transactions.

• Postal tickets and email raffle promotions are sent to supporters of Sustrans only.
• Sustrans makes an annual donation to Gamble Aware who provide advice, support and information on responsible gambling.
• A self-exclusion facility is available for those who feel they may have a gambling problem and wish to exclude themselves from Sustrans gambling activities.
• For additional information or to request a self-exclusion, please see our self-exclusion guide below.
• All relevant Sustrans staff involved in the promotion and processing of the raffle are trained on responsible gambling and self-exclusion.

Prevention of underage gambling

• All Raffle tickets, our terms and conditions and website, state that you must be over the age of 16 to enter the Sustrans raffle
• Customers will be asked to self-certify to confirm their age before they are able to buy Raffle tickets online.
• If any player is found to be under 16, they will have any money paid to the raffle refunded to them, and any prizes withdrawn.

Problem Gambling - Self-Exclusion Guide

If you feel like you have a problem with gambling, you may request a self-exclusion from Sustrans gambling activities. By completing and returning the self-exclusion form you will be immediately entered into a self-exclusion agreement. Should you wish to further consider self-exclusion (for example, to consult problem-gambling groups) you may request a self-exclusion at a later date.

To request a self-exclusion, please complete the self-exclusion form available here: and return it to Sustrans by one of the following methods:

• Email to supporters@sustrans.org.uk using the subject line ‘Gambling self-exclusion’.
• Post address to Sustrans Supporters Team, 2 Cathedral Square, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5DD.

You may also request a self-exclusion form to be sent to you by post by contacting our Supporters team on supporters@sustrans.org.uk or Sustrans Supporters Team, 2 Cathedral Square, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5DD.

Once an individual has entered into a self-exclusion agreement, Sustrans will:

• Take all reasonable steps to ensure the individual cannot take part in any Sustrans gambling activities, including the raffle, by any method and for the duration of the self-exclusion period.
• Securely transfer self-exclusion information to our External Lottery Managers (CFP), who conduct our online raffle, to ensure the individual’s exclusion from online Sustrans gambling activities.
• Remove you from any further addressed raffle communications and marketing activities including by post and email.
• Flag the individual as self-excluded on our database within two days of the self-exclusion request being received.
• Record all self-exclusion agreement details on a separate self-exclusion register.
• Retain the records relating to the self-exclusion agreement for the length of the agreement itself and at further six months.
• Inform relevant staff involved in the raffle of anybody who has self-excluded or has attempted to breach their self-exclusion.

Sustrans self-exclusion periods: 

• The individual requesting self-exclusion may determine the length of their self-exclusion period by completing the self-exclusion form. All self-exclusion periods must be a minimum of 6 months long.
• On request, can be extended for one or more further periods of at least six months each.
• Will automatically be extended for a further six months at the end of the initial self-exclusion period unless a request is made to begin gambling again or to extend the self-exclusion period.
• If you choose not to extend your initial self-exclusion period and make a request to begin gambling again within 6 months of the end of your initial self-exclusion period you will be given a one day cooling-off period before you will be allowed to begin gambling again.
• Requests to begin gambling again must be made by telephone on 01628 201283.

For further information on responsible gambling or self-exclusion, please contact our supporters team on supporters@sustrans.org.uk.