Les Ambassedeurs

Responsible Gambling

Responsible gambling and help in respect of problem gambling

Les Ambassadeurs Club strives to provide an enjoyable experience for its members and other visitors, whether they are using our non-gaming facilities such as the dining room, bar and lounge or gambling on the tables and/or other devices provided. 

For most people casino gambling is fun but we recognise that for some people gambling can become a problem which affects the gambler and the people closest to them.

The temptation to try your luck or re-experience an early win may be irresistible. Each time you win you may find that you spend your winnings on more gambling. If you lose you may desperately continue, hoping that a “big win” is just around the corner. The more you do this, the more absorbed you become in the activity. This is why gambling can be habit forming.

We aim to help you to gamble responsibly and if you have lost control with your gambling and it has taken over your life and dominates your thoughts, if you cannot stop until you have run out of money, or if you have lost relationships, friends, possessions or jobs as a result of your gambling, then this leaflet may help. 

DO YOU HAVE A GAMBLING PROBLEM?

The following questions have been devised for gamblers to ask themselves:

  • Have you put at risk important or significant relationships, educational studies, a job or your career because of gambling?
  • Do you chase losses by continuing or quickly returning to gamble when on a losing streak?
  • When you win, do you have a strong desire to return and win more?
  • Do you ever gamble until you have completely run out of money?
  • Have you lied, stolen or borrowed to get money for gambling?
  • Are you reluctant to spend gambling money on anything else?
  • Do you ever gamble for longer than you had planned?
  • Do you ever gamble to escape, worry, trouble, disappointment or frustration?
  • Do you feel depressed or suicidal because of your gambling?
  • Are you in debt because of gambling?
  • Have you ever sold your own or your family possessions to get money to gamble or to pay gambling debts?

The more you answer “yes” to the above, the greater the likelihood of a serious gambling problem. Speak to someone about this.

STRATEGIES FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING AND GETTING HELP

  • Before you start gambling decide how long you wish to devote to playing and stick to that decision.
  • Decide before your visit the amount you can afford to put at risk and do not be tempted to increase that sum once you have started gambling.
  • Play with cash only or limit the amount of money that can be withdrawn using cheque or card facilities.
  • Speak to any one of our Gaming Managers if you need help with this.
  • Regularly take a break; get up and walk away from the gambling activity.
  • Be honest with yourself and then with others. Talk about your problem with someone you trust: your family, a friend, a counsellor or call the GamCare Helpline. Details of various organisations that can help are provided in this leaflet.
  • Talk to one of our Casino Managers, they do understand. Their experience gives them an awareness of the issues involved. Les Ambassadeurs can help you implement one or more of these strategies to assist you to get your gambling under control. 
  • Organise a period of Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE). There is a minimum period of six months but you can extend this to at least five years. After the period of VSE has expired you can review your options again with our Executive Director of Gaming.
  • Resign your membership in writing and give the reasons for your decision.
  • Most of all take responsibility for yourself, don’t run away from your problem. It never solves anything.

PRACTICAL STEPS

  • Stop all gambling whilst breaking the habit.
  • If in doubt, speak to a manager they are experienced in the industry and can advise you.
  • Call GamCare. They do understand what you’re going through and offer help and support.
  • Discuss what happened and how to change things with someone you trust.
  • Use a calendar and mark each day you do not gamble, so you can see the progress you make.
  • Ask someone you trust to handle your money for an agreed amount of time (three Months).
  • Don’t use your ATM (cashpoint cards).
  • Be sure you understand the rules of the games and the edge in favour of the casino.
  • Be pragmatic about any losing sequence and resist the temptation to recover your losses by increasing your play.
  • Do not drink alcohol heavily before or during gambling as it could impair your judgement.
  • Do not borrow money from a money-lender in order to gamble.
  • Remember to treat gambling as an affordable entertainment expense.
  • Reward yourself after a period free from gambling by spending some of the money you have saved on yourself or your family.
  • Look for patterns in your behaviours for example if you begin to gamble to escape from problems or troubles.
  • Remember – take one day at a time.
  • Overall, be optimistic. Some gamblers may find it impossible to go back to gambling without losing control, whilst others, at a later stage, are able to return to controlled gambling. 

SELF-EXCLUDING FROM CASINOS

What is SENSE?

SENSE is a system which has been developed in order to provide easy access for people who believe they have a problem with their gambling and wish to voluntarily self- exclude nationally from all land based casinos in the UK participating in the SENSE scheme.

Who administers SENSE?

SENSE is administered and operated by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) on behalf of its members. For more information, to enrol or for a full list of participating casinos go to https://bettingandgamingcouncil.com/sense-self-exclusion-scheme.  BGC controls the processing of personal information held on the SENSE system.

What is GAMSTOP?

GAMSTOP is a system which has been developed in order to provide easy access for people who believe they have a problem with their gambling and wish to voluntarily self- exclude nationally from online gambling websites and apps in the UK participating in the GAMSTOP scheme.

Who administers GAMSTOP?

GAMSTOP is administered and operated by GAMSTOP and allows you to be prevented from using gambling websites and apps run by companies licensed in the UK. For more information or to enrol within the scheme go to https://www.gamstop.co.uk/. GAMSTOP controls the processing of personal information held on the GAMSTOP system.

SEEKING HELP AND ADVICE

GAMCARE

Helpline: 0808 802 0133
www.gamcare.org.uk
GamCare provide support, information and advice to anyone suffering though a gambling problem. Call the helpline and speak to a trained advisor for emotional support, information and advice, 8am to midnight, 7 days a week.

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS (GA)

Helpline – See website for details
www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
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 to do the same.

GORDON MOODY ASSOCIATION

Contact: 01384 241 292
www.gordonmoody.org.uk
The association provides advice, education, and high quality and innovative therapeutic support to problem gamblers and those affected by problem gambling, through residential, online and outreach services.

NATIONAL DEBTLINE

Helpline: 0808 808 4000
www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
The National Debtline provides confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems. Self-help packs are available.

GAMBLEAWARE

National Gambling Helpline: 0808 802 0133
www.begambleaware.org
GambleAware was established by the Responsible Gambling Trust and aims to promote responsibility in gambling. They provide information to help people make informed decisions about their gambling. GambleAware will help you to find out more about gambling and what responsible gambling means, to understand and recognise problems gambling and show you where to go for further information, help and support should you need it.