Online gambling activities likeÌýbingo, poker,Ìýbetting, or more specific types of gambling, haveÌýseen a huge increaseÌýin popularity as access is now easily available. Gambling carries the risk of criminal activity and canÌýespecially be an issue for vulnerable people. It can also be addictive, and you need to know when to stop.ÌýThe Gambling Commission regulates the gambling industry andÌýensures that operators provide responsible gambling; their website has some useful information on gambling and how toÌý.

In recent years, online gaming has been linked withÌýgambling-like features, such as loot boxes and skins, through theÌýpromotion ofÌýextraÌýpayments forÌýadd-ons and in-game purchases. GamingÌýcan become seriously addictive and increase your exposure toÌýnon-monetary gambling and gambling related advertising, which appearÌýwithin games. and have specific guidance andÌýsupport if you,Ìýor someone you know, needs help with gaming and gambling addiction.

In addition, problem gambling or gaming addiction could lead to involvement with cryptocurrency and online trading scams, both of which can target students and trick peopleÌýinto losing money. Find out more and how to keep safe from money making scams.

Evaluate your own gaming and gambling

Check out theseÌýarticles to help you evaluate whether your hobby is enriching your life or might be heading in a negative direction:

Finding support

If you've been affected by gambling or gaming and wish to speak toÌýsomeone, there are a number of free services which you can access:

  • Ìý- Ara offer free advice, ongoing support, 1 to 1 counselling and workshops to anyone struggling with their own gambling, or affected by someone else’s gambling. Services or advice can be accessed directly by:
  • Ìý
  • .

There is a lot of information on theÌýÌýregarding gambling and where to find help.

Self-exclusion

Self-exclusion is a way toÌýlimitÌýthe amount of online gambling you're able to doÌýby asking the gambling provider to exclude you from gambling with them for a set length of time. You can find out more on the following websites:

  • Ìýfrom the Gambling Commission (includingÌýGAMSTOP)
  • – software to block online gambling sites and apps.

Useful apps to track spending

  • Yolt: uses open banking to show you an overview of your finances. You can set and track budgets for 21 categories, including things like travel, groceries and housing.
  • Money Dashboard: displays your spending in colourful charts and graphs, so you can see where your money’s gone at a glance.
  • Cleo: this AI guide can answer questions about your finances. The app works through Facebook Messenger and lets you pay friends, set spending goals and alerts.
  • Monzo: you can use this app to track different types of expenses, keep an eye on daily spending, put money aside and anticipate upcoming costs.Ìý

Ìýalso has lots of finance tips and tools, as well as information about the latest student deals and discounts.

Support at ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥

If you feel that you need to talk to someone at ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ find out more aboutÌýourÌýÌýon campus. You can also visit ourÌýÌýandÌýbudgetingÌýpages.

EROGamb

BU hasÌýteamed up withÌýÌýto deliverÌý. The project helpsÌýgambling subscribers to visualise their gambling historyÌýtoÌýinform decisions on their gambling behaviour.

Along with behaviour change mechanisms to try and reduce problem gambling, they also enable gamblers to manage their gambling by goal-setting and self-monitoring.

You can find out more about the project on theÌý.Ìý