Our Commitment to Safer Gambling
At Paddy Power we believe gambling should always be safe and fun for you and all of our customers. Our shop teams are there to offer advice and guidance to ensure customers are gambling safely. If you would like to find out more please speak to our staff who have been trained how to carry out safer gambling interactions and check out the information below.
Tips to bet safely
- Gambling is for entertainment, so treat it as an entertainment expense rather than a way to make money.
- Only gamble with money that you can afford to lose.
- Set yourself personal limits and stick to them.
- Remember to take regular breaks.
- Never chase your losses.
- Limit your time spent gambling.
- Avoid gambling when you're upset. Remember, help and support is available if you feel you are losing control of your gambling (see the Help and Further Support section for details on organisations that can provide help).
- Never prioritise gambling over your relationships.
Warning signs
We've set out below some signs that may mean you're at risk of experiencing gambling related harm:
- Pre-occupation with gambling.
- Missing work or university to place a bet.
- Inability to stop betting.
- Becoming irritable if you can't place a bet.
- Using gambling to escape reality.
- Chasing losses.
- Lying about gambling.
- Borrowing money to place a bet.
- Increasing stakes to get the same excitement from gambling.
Self-Assessment
Wondering if gambling might be causing you harm? You can complete a quiz on GambleAware's website to see how gambling might be affecting you or a loved one which can be found here:
www.gambleaware.org/self-assessment-tool-entry
Some questions from the quiz to understand your own gambling are set out below, when you have a chance consider how you would answer these:
- ''Do you ever feel worried about your gambling?
- Have you ever gambled with more than you could afford to lose?
- Have you ever hidden anything about your gambling?''
Remember, our shop colleagues are always here to help and there are more support resources available to you in the Help and Further Support section. You're never alone!
Self-Exclusion
To take a break from gambling, you can self-exclude with us in up to 10 of our shops for a period of 6 or 12 months.
If you would like to know more, please approach a Paddy Power staff member and ask them about self-exclusion and they will support you through the process or you can access a Paddy Power retail self-exclusion form on the Paddy Power website at: https://helpcenter.paddypower.com/app/answers/detail/p/6/a_id/2210.
Safer Gambling Tools
(Northern Ireland customers only)
To help you gamble safely when playing on our gaming machines, you can set time and spend limits for each single session of play. The gaming machines will also remind you when you have been playing for 20 minutes and again every 20 minutes after that. This allows you to consider your gambling, if you want to stop or continue playing.
Remember, our staff can show you how to set time and spend limits on our gaming machines and direct you to further help and support, if needed. To take a break from gambling, please speak to our staff about the Paddy Power self-exclusion scheme.
Help and further support
If you think that you need support with your gambling, the following organisations can provide help:
GamblingCare.ie
If you are worried about your gambling or someone you care about www.gamblingcare.ie is full of information and advice on how to get help. You will find details on how to contact a service that meets your needs; in-person, online, by phone or residential treatment.
Dunlewey Problem Gambling Service
Dunlewey provides a free confidential helpline and counselling service Ireland wide for individuals affected by their own or a family member's problem gambling issue. Helpline is open 7 days per week, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.
ROI: 1800936725
NI: 08000886725
This service is funded by the Gambling Awareness Trust.
Gambling Therapy
Are a global online support service, offering advice in multiple languages for people who have been adversely affected by gambling.
Gamblers Anonymous (GA)
Is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling www.gamblersanonymous.ie