Responsible Gaming

Gambling Should Be Entertainment

At Cacti and Wildflower, we believe that gambling should only ever be viewed as a form of entertainment, not as a way to earn money or solve financial problems. Betting sites offer games of chance where the odds always favour the operator in the long run. Please only gamble with money you can afford to lose, and never use gambling as a solution to financial difficulties.

Age Verification

All UK betting sites are legally required to verify that users are at least 18 years of age before allowing them to gamble. This is a critical safeguard to protect young people from the harms of gambling.

If you are under 18, or if you know a young person who is gambling online, please seek advice from a support organisation immediately.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can develop gradually. If you recognise any of the following signs in yourself or someone else, it may be time to seek help:

• Chasing losses: Continuing to gamble in an attempt to recover money you have lost
• Hiding gambling activity: Concealing the amount of time or money you spend gambling from friends and family
• Loss of control: Finding it difficult to stop gambling, or gambling for longer than intended
• Gambling with essential money: Using money needed for rent, bills, food, or other necessities to gamble
• Neglecting responsibilities: Missing work, school, or family commitments because of gambling
• Gambling to escape problems: Using gambling as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, or other difficult emotions
• Borrowing money to gamble: Taking out loans, using credit cards, or asking others for money to fund gambling
• Experiencing relationship or financial strain: Gambling causing conflict with loved ones or serious money problems
• Tolerance: Needing to gamble with larger amounts to achieve the same level of excitement
• Withdrawal symptoms: Feeling irritable or anxious when unable to gamble

If you notice any of these signs, please reach out for support as soon as possible.

Self-Help Tools & Features

Most reputable betting sites offer tools to help you stay in control of your gambling. These include:

• Deposit Limits: Set a maximum amount of money you will deposit in a given period (daily, weekly, or monthly)
• Loss Limits: Set a limit on the total amount of money you are willing to lose over a specified timeframe
• Reality Checks: Receive regular notifications during gambling sessions to remind you how long you have been playing and how much you have spent
• Time-Out/Cool-Off Periods: Temporarily restrict access to your account for a set period (ranging from hours to weeks)
• Self-Exclusion: Permanently close your account and exclude yourself from gambling sites for a longer period

We strongly encourage you to use these tools proactively. Your betting site's customer support team can help you set them up.

Support Organisations

If you are struggling with gambling, confidential help is available. The following organisations offer free advice and support:

United Kingdom

• GamCare: Provides free counselling, support, and information for problem gamblers and their loved ones. www.gamcare.org.uk
• GamStop: The UK's national self-exclusion scheme. Register to exclude yourself from all online gambling sites for a period of 6 months to 5 years. www.gamstop.co.uk
• Gamblers Anonymous: A peer support fellowship offering free meetings across the UK. www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
• National Problem Gambling Clinic: Provides specialist treatment via the NHS. Contact your GP for a referral.

International Support

• 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): Information and support for problem gambling. www.bzga.de

All these organisations offer confidential, non-judgmental support. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.

If You Need Help

If you are experiencing problems with gambling, please seek help today. Problem gambling is a recognised mental health issue, and support is available. The sooner you reach out, the sooner you can begin to regain control.

Remember: You are not alone, and help is free and confidential.

Contact GamCare on 0808 8020 133 (free, confidential, 24/7) or visit www.gamcare.org.uk