Responsible Gambling

At BetWest, we are deeply committed to fostering a safe and responsible gaming environment for all our players. We understand that for most, gambling is a form of entertainment, a pastime enjoyed responsibly. However, we also recognise that for a small percentage of individuals, gambling can become problematic, leading to adverse personal, social, and financial consequences. Our Responsible Gaming policy is designed to minimise the risks associated with gambling, protect vulnerable individuals, and provide tools and resources to help our players maintain control over their gaming habits.

Our commitment extends beyond mere compliance with regulatory requirements. We strive to create a culture of responsibility, where player well-being is paramount. This involves continuous monitoring, proactive intervention where necessary, and the provision of clear, accessible information on responsible gaming practices. BetWest believes that an informed player is an empowered player, capable of making sound decisions about their gambling activity.

Identifying problem gambling early is crucial. It is not always obvious, and individuals may try to conceal their difficulties. We encourage our players to be aware of the potential indicators, both in themselves and in others. Problem gambling is often characterised by an increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement, restlessness or irritability when attempting to cut down or stop gambling, and gambling to escape problems or relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression. Other signs include:

• Chasing losses, attempting to win back money lost by gambling more.
• Lying to family members, therapists, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.
• Jeopardising or losing a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling.
• Relying on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling.

If you recognise any of these signs in yourself or someone you know, we urge you to consider seeking assistance. BetWest provides various tools and resources to help manage gambling behaviour, and external support organisations are available for more comprehensive guidance.

Gambling should always be viewed as a form of entertainment, not a means to generate income or recover debt. To keep your experience enjoyable and under control, consider the following principles:

• Only gamble with money you can afford to lose. Never use funds allocated for essential expenses.
• Set strict time limits for your gambling sessions and adhere to them.
• Avoid gambling when you are feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as this can impair your judgment.
• Balance gambling with other leisure activities and hobbies.
• Do not chase losses. Accept that losses are a part of gambling and do not attempt to win back money immediately.
• Educate yourself about the odds and probabilities of the games you play.

By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing gambling-related problems and ensure that your experience at BetWest remains a positive one.

BetWest provides robust tools to help you manage your spending and betting activity proactively. You have the ability to set personal limits on your account, which can be tailored to your individual needs and preferences. These limits include:

• Deposit Limits: Restrict the amount of money you can deposit into your BetWest account over a specified period (daily, weekly, or monthly). Once set, you cannot deposit more than this amount until the period resets.
• Loss Limits: Control the maximum amount of money you can lose within a chosen timeframe (daily, weekly, or monthly). If your net losses reach this limit, you will be prevented from placing further wagers until the period concludes.
• Wager Limits: Define the total amount you can wager over a set period (daily, weekly, or monthly). This helps manage your overall betting turnover.

Setting limits is a highly effective way to maintain control. Increases to limits typically take a cooling-off period to become active, allowing you time to reconsider your decision. Decreases to limits usually take effect immediately. You can access and adjust these limits through your account settings on the BetWest platform.

If you feel you need a short break from gambling, BetWest offers Time-Out and Cool-Off options. These features allow you to temporarily restrict access to your account for a defined period, ranging from 24 hours to several weeks. During a Time-Out or Cool-Off period:

• You will be unable to log in to your BetWest account.
• You will not receive any promotional or marketing communications from us.

This provides an opportunity to step away, reflect on your gambling habits, and return with a refreshed perspective. Once the chosen period expires, your account will automatically reactivate, and you will regain full access. This option is ideal for those who feel they need a short pause without committing to a longer-term exclusion.

For individuals who feel their gambling has become problematic and requires a more substantial break, BetWest offers a comprehensive self-exclusion program. Self-exclusion allows you to voluntarily close your account for an extended period, typically ranging from six months to five years, or even permanently. During a self-exclusion:

• Your BetWest account will be immediately closed, and you will be prevented from accessing it.
• We will take all reasonable steps to prevent you from opening new accounts with us.
• You will be removed from all marketing databases and will not receive any promotional materials.
• Any remaining balance in your account will be returned to you in accordance with our terms and conditions.

Once a self-exclusion is activated, it cannot be reversed until the chosen period has fully elapsed. We strongly advise you to consider self-excluding from any other gambling operators you may use if you choose this option with BetWest. Our customer support team can provide guidance on initiating a self-exclusion and answer any questions you may have.

BetWest is strictly committed to preventing underage gambling. Our services are explicitly designed for individuals who are 18 years of age or older, or of legal gambling age in their respective jurisdiction, whichever is higher. We employ robust age verification procedures during the registration process, requiring all new players to provide verifiable proof of age. We utilise third-party age verification services to confirm identities and ages.

We also advise parents and guardians to take proactive steps to prevent minors from accessing gambling sites. This includes:

• Using internet filtering software to block access to gambling websites.
• Keeping your BetWest account details, including usernames and passwords, confidential and secure.
• Never leaving your computer or mobile device unattended while logged into your account.
• Educating children about the risks and dangers of underage gambling.

Any account found to be operated by a minor will be immediately closed, and any winnings will be forfeited. We take our responsibility in this area very seriously and continuously review our procedures to ensure the highest level of protection for minors.

To help you stay aware of the time you spend gambling, BetWest offers a "Reality Check" feature. This tool provides periodic pop-up notifications during your gaming session, reminding you how long you have been playing. You can set the frequency of these reminders to suit your preferences, for example, every 30 minutes or every hour. The Reality Check notification will typically display:

• The duration of your current session.
• Your net winnings or losses during that session.
• An option to continue playing or to exit the game.

This gentle interruption serves as a valuable prompt to take a break, reassess your current activity, and ensure you are still gambling responsibly. We encourage all players to activate and utilise the Reality Check feature as part of their responsible gaming strategy.

Understanding your own gambling habits is a critical step towards maintaining control. BetWest provides access to a self-assessment questionnaire designed to help you evaluate your relationship with gambling. This confidential questionnaire asks a series of questions about your gambling behaviour, thoughts, and feelings. Based on your responses, it can provide an indication of whether your gambling might be moving into a problematic area.

The self-assessment is not a diagnostic tool, but rather a guide to self-reflection. It can help you identify patterns or behaviours that might warrant further attention or a change in your approach to gambling. We encourage all our players to periodically complete this assessment, which can be found in the Responsible Gaming section of your BetWest account. If the results suggest potential concerns, it is a strong indicator to utilise the other responsible gaming tools we offer or to seek advice from external support organisations.

If gambling stops being fun, free and confidential help is available. These organisations are independent of this site and of any operator:

International support (any country)

• Gambling Therapy (free global online support in 30+ languages)
• GamCare, National Gambling Helpline · Helpline: 0808 8020 133
• Gamblers Anonymous (international 12-step fellowship, find local meetings)