National Lottery games should always be fun, playing in a way that is right for you.
We know that amazing things happen when lots of people play a little and we want players to enjoy playing National Lottery games in a healthy way. If you’re concerned about your play, contact the agencies below.
HELP IS AT HAND
Gaming is fun but for a few, it may become a problem.
If you're worried about yourself, or someone you know, you can speak in confidence to the people at GamCare 24/7, on 0808 8020 133 or visit the GamCare website for support.
SUPPORT SERVICES
GambleAware is the leading independent charity and strategic commissioner of gambling harm education, prevention, early intervention, and treatment across Great Britain. They’re dedicated to keeping you safe from gambling harms.
GamCare is the leading provider of information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling harms. It operates the National Gambling Helpline, provides structured support for anyone who is harmed by gambling, creates awareness about safer gambling and treatment, and encourages an effective approach to safer gambling within the gambling industry.
YGAM’s mission is to prevent children and young people from experiencing gaming and gambling harms through awareness raising, education and research.
Citizens Advice gives people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward - whoever they are, and whatever their problem.
If you're worried about your or someone else's gambling, there are things you can do to get support.
Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who have joined together to do something about their own gambling problem and to help other compulsive gamblers do the same.
National Debtline provides free and confidential advice and resources to help people deal with their debts. You can access their services over the phone, through their website and via webchat.
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit their website for more ways to speak to a Samaritan.
Betknowmore UK is the national provider of Peer Aid accredited training, and peer-led support for recovering gamblers and affected others. Their programmes include GOALS, a community based support and wellbeing service, and New Beginnings, a UK-wide women only digital service.
All services combine lived experience and evidence-based therapeutic approaches, with both 1;1 and group support.
The UK’s leading charity dedicated to providing residential treatment for gambling addiction in unique specialist centres across the UK. Helping people reclaim and rebuild their lives through recovery in a safe, supported environment. Services are available for those aged 18+.
NATIONAL SELF-EXCLUSION AND BLOCKING SOFTWARE
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GAMSTOP is a free tool that allows people to self-exclude from all GB-licensed gambling websites. It’s quick, simple and easy to register.
Gamban helps those suffering from gambling-related harm to take control of their addiction by blocking access to gambling websites and apps.
BetBlocker is a UK registered charity offering a free service to help support people anywhere in the world. BetBlocker is quick and easy to install and you are welcome to install it on as many devices as you have.
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Whether you want to be out of harm’s way on Android, Windows or Apple, GamBlock has the solution to block online gambling for you. GamBlock wants to protect families from underage gambling and help people from losing money or worse.
PARENTAL CONTROLS
About Healthy play
National Lottery games should always be fun, playing in a way that is right for you.
We know that amazing things happen when lots of people play a little. We're proud to say that around 60% of UK adults enjoy our games, so encouraging healthy play is at the heart of everything we do. The way we design our games and the healthy play tools available help to put you in control of your play.
We want players to enjoy playing National Lottery games in a healthy way. If you’re concerned about your play, or worried about someone you know, please contact one of the supportive organisations listed here.
It's important that you always play within your means and at a level you can afford. Whether you want to limit how much you’re spending and playing or take a break from our games, we have a range of healthy play tools online to help you do just that.
- Keep track of your play: You can see how many Instant Win Games you buy or try, how much money you deposit and spend, how long you’re signed in for, and your full transaction history.
- Spend and play limits: You can set deposit, spend and Instant Win Game play limits that are right for you.
- Session time reminder: A reminder will automatically appear after you've been logged in to your online account for a set period of time which you can choose, from 20 minutes up to a maximum of 2 hours.
- Find out what kind of player you are: We have an online test that helps you to consider certain behaviours to ensure that playing not just our games, but all the games you play, remains fun.
- A budget calculator: A way to work out how you spend your money each month which is quick to complete and your answers remain completely confidential.
- Take a break from playing: There are a range of options for taking a break from playing online, from moderating your Instant Win Game play to setting short breaks, long breaks or a lifetime exclusion. If you are registered with GAMSTOP, you will be excluded from playing National Lottery Instant Win games.
We also have measures in place in retail to help prevent underage play and support healthy play, including:
- Mandatory retailer training: All new National Lottery retailers take training covering healthy play, underage sales prevention, treatment referral and wider consumer protection.
- Regular communications with retailers: Communications focused on how retailers can prevent underage play and support healthy play, including signposting to GamCare.
- Underage and healthy play mystery shopper programmes: How we gain assurance that retailers have effective safeguards in place to prevent underage play and are able to correctly signpost players to sources of support, in line with our guidance and training.
- The Players’ Guide: A helpful guide available in retail with information about playing National Lottery games such as the age to play, game odds and how to play and claim a prize. The guide also includes details on how to contact GamCare.
- Healthy Play Printout: A terminal printout signposting to GamCare and The National Lottery Healthy Play page.
- QR Code: A link to more information on a wide range of support services available.
- Healthy play messaging: Details on how to contact GamCare and how to access our healthy play webpage on the reverse of our draw-based game tickets and Scratchcards.
Allwyn takes a leading role when it comes to responsible play and aligning with best practice. We proudly hold the European Lotteries' Responsible Gaming Certification and the highest level of the World Lotteries Association Responsible Gaming Certification, recognising our commitment to continuous improvement.
The European Lotteries Association is the European umbrella organisation of national lotteries operating games of chance. The World Lotteries Association supports their members in their pursuit of creating positive societal impact, while upholding integrity and responsible gaming standards.
Both certifications form part of our wider Responsible Play Strategy, ensuring National Lottery games are enjoyed safely both in retail and online.
Designing games with you in mind: We design games that are both safe and fun to play. This is supported by tools and processes which closely monitor games as they are being developed, launched and played.
Playing in retail: We're committed to preventing underage play and ensuring our retailers are trained in this respect. If you believe National Lottery games are being sold to under 18s, please call 0345 301 6216.
Playing on our website: Our games are accessible only by users whose age and identity have been confirmed. We use an independent organisation to verify a player's age to ensure they are over 18.
To keep players safe online, we use an in-house behavioural analytics model which identifies at-risk players, enabling us to support them through targeted interventions. Players who are identified as at-risk also have significantly lower deposit and play limits automatically applied to their account and are provided with advice on managing their play.
Our training programme for all National Lottery retailers ensures they have an understanding of excessive play and the right tools to be able to support players if appropriate, such as the terminal printout signposting to GamCare.
Contact us for assistance
If you have any problems with changing your settings, or you would prefer to speak to someone about changing your settings, please don't hesitate to get in touch:
Email: help@national-lottery.co.uk
Phone: 0333 234 4433
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday: 8am - 8pm; Sunday: 9am - 5pm
Calls cost no more than calls to 01 and 02 numbers. If your phone tariff offers inclusive calls to landlines, calls to 03 numbers will be included on the same basis.
Allwyn Entertainment Ltd Registered Office: Tolpits Lane, Watford, WD18 9RN. Registered in England and Wales No. 13157556
