Responsible Gaming

Responsible Gaming

Here at footballpools.com, we believe that everyone should get enjoyment and excitement from playing our games. However, we appreciate that gaming and gambling may go beyond enjoyment for a small amount of people and become a habit that could cause problems for the individual and those around them. As such, we recognise it is our responsibility to ensure that a responsible attitude towards gaming and gambling is taken and we have a number of systems and processes in place to best avoid problems occurring. Please read on to understand how footballpools.com are working to ensure responsible gaming.

Under Age Gambling

To play on footballpools.com, you must be over 18 years of age. We use a variety of tools to verify the age of our players. Any player who provides dishonest information regarding their age automatically forfeits their right to any prize. All monies staked will be returned and the appropriate authorities informed. Civil proceedings or criminal prosecution may follow.

Staff training

Our customer service staff receive awareness training on problem gambling issues.

Customer History and Balance

Customers can easily access a full history of their transactions, withdrawals and deposits with 'My Account'. A customer's balance is always available through the 'My Account' page.

Self-Exclusion

Footballpools.com provides a self-exclusion facility, which enables customers to close their account or accounts for a minimum period of six months. Unless you request self-exclusion, any account that is simply 'closed' can be re-opened by the customer at any time. To use our self-exclusion option, please email us at help@footballpools.com with details of the username for the account you have registered with us (or alternatively your full name and address). If you require information relating to this facility, please contact Customer Services at help@footballpools.com.

Deposit Limits

We offer the ability for our customers to limit the amount of money that they are able to deposit online into their account on either a daily or a weekly basis. These amounts may be revised downwards at any time but any increase will only be implemented after 24 hours following the request. This facility is available in your personal account area on the site, once you have logged in.

Filtering Systems

If you share your computer with friends or family who are under the legal age to register or bet, please click on the link to register with our preferred filtering partner www.icra.org.

There are a number of other third party applications that parents or guardians can use to monitor or restrict their computer's access to the Internet, for example:

• Net Nanny filtering software protects children from inappropriate web content: www.netnanny.com
• CYBERsitter filtering software allows parents to add their own sites to
  block: www.cybersitter.com
• So Protect Me Blocker protects online gambling accounts by preventing unauthorised access to those accounts from your home PCs: www.soprotectme.com

• Please Note: Sportech PLC and footballpools.com provide these links for information only and do not control, endorse, or guarantee content or products found on these sites.

More information and help with responsible gaming can be found at:

• GambleAware: www.gambleaware.co.uk
• GamCare: www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gambling Therapy: www.gamblingtherapy.org.uk

Problem Gambling

Whilst the majority of people do gamble responsibly, for some, gambling can become a problem. It may help you to keep control by remembering the following:

1. Please try to establish limits for purchasing, wagering and losses before you commence gambling.
2. Gambling is not advised if it interferes with your daily responsibilities.
3. Gambling is not advised if you are in recovery for any dependency or are under the influence of alcohol or any other substance.
4. Gambling is not advised if your primary aim is to recoup losses.

If you are concerned that gambling may have taken over your life (or someone else's) then the following questions may give you some guidance:

• Have others ever criticised your gambling?
• Have you ever lied to cover up the amount you have gambled or 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?

The more 'yes' answers, the more likely a gambling problem exists. For friendly and helpful advice from trained counsellors call the GamCare helpline on 0845 6000 133. The counsellor will listen to you carefully and encourage you to talk about your concerns. Sometimes just telling someone can be a relief, and is an important first step towards dealing with the problem. The helpline is open 24 hours a day. You can also visit the GamCare website.