Responsible Gaming
Gambling Should Be Entertainment, Not Income
At Bearded Viking Drinks, we believe that gambling should only ever be viewed as a form of entertainment, similar to going to the cinema or playing sports. It should never be considered as a way to earn money, pay bills, or solve financial problems.
When you gamble, you should only spend money that you can afford to lose. Please bet responsibly and within your means.
Age Verification
Gambling is only legal for individuals aged 18 years or older in the United Kingdom. All betting operators have a legal obligation to verify the age of their users before permitting access to gambling services.
If you are under 18, please do not attempt to access betting services. If you are aware of a minor gambling online, please report this to the relevant operator immediately.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can develop gradually. Please be aware of the following warning signs:
- Chasing losses: Continuing to gamble to try to win back money you have lost
- Hiding gambling activity: Concealing your gambling from family, friends, or loved ones
- Neglecting responsibilities: Missing work, school, or important commitments due to gambling
- Gambling with money you cannot afford to lose: Using rent, bill, or essential expense money to gamble
- Loss of control: Gambling longer or wagering more than intended
- Withdrawal symptoms: Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when unable to gamble
- Escalating amounts: Needing to gamble with increasing sums of money to feel the same effect
- Failed attempts to quit: Repeatedly trying to stop or cut back on gambling without success
- Relationship strain: Gambling causing conflict with family, friends, or partners
- Financial problems: Borrowing money, accumulating debt, or experiencing financial hardship due to gambling
If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or someone you know, please seek help immediately.
Self-Help Tools & Responsible Gambling Features
Most reputable betting operators provide tools to help you gamble responsibly. These include:
- Deposit Limits: Set a maximum amount of money you can deposit within a specific timeframe (daily, weekly, or monthly)
- Loss Limits: Set a maximum amount of money you are willing to lose within a specific period
- Reality Checks: Enable reminders that pop up during your gaming session to help you keep track of time and money spent
- Time-Out/Cooling-Off Period: Temporarily suspend your account for a period you choose (e.g., 24 hours to 6 weeks)
- Self-Exclusion: Permanently or temporarily close your account to prevent access to gambling services
- Account Closure: Request permanent account termination if you wish to stop gambling
We strongly recommend using these tools to maintain control over your gambling activity. Speak with your betting operator's customer support team if you need help setting up any of these features.
Support Organizations & Resources
If you are struggling with gambling or believe you may have a problem, please reach out to one of the following organizations:
United Kingdom
- GamCare: Free confidential support, counselling, and practical advice. www.gamcare.org.uk
- GamStop (National Self-Exclusion Scheme): A free service that allows you to self-exclude from all online gambling operators at once in the UK. www.gamstop.co.uk
- Gamblers Anonymous: Free peer support meetings across the UK. Visit www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
Australia
- Gambling Help Online: Free confidential counselling and support. www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
Canada
- Responsible Gambling Council: Information, resources, and support for problem gambling. www.responsiblegambling.org
United States
- National Council on Problem Gambling: Helpline and resources for problem gambling. www.ncpgambling.org
Germany
- Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA): Federal center for health education offering information and support on problem gambling.
All of these organizations offer confidential support and are staffed by trained professionals who understand problem gambling.
Get Help Today
If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, please seek help immediately. There is no shame in reaching out for support. The organizations listed above are here to help, and support is available 24/7 in many cases.
Remember: gambling should be fun, affordable, and under your control. If it isn't, help is available.
Bet responsibly. Play safely.