Gamble responsibly – also during the corona isolation

30, Mar 2020

The Danish Gambling Authority and the helpline StopSpillet always encourage you to gamble responsibly. In a time, when the country is characterised by corona lockdown, it is particularly important to focus on responsible gambling. For this reason, the StopSpillet’s (StopGambling) advisers have prepared a guide for you, if you gamble too much and are especially challenged during the lockdown period. 

For most Danes, everyday life has turned upside down in this period. It may mean that we change behaviour – maybe you have found that you have more time to gamble? 

Before, you went to work, socialised with your colleagues and had leisure activities whereas now, you may spend most of your time alone at home? Or maybe you spend more time with your family and feel an increased need for alone time, which you spend gambling? Could it also be that you used to bet on various sports matches that are now cancelled, and you have therefore started playing new types of games? 

The StopSpillet’s telephone helpline and chat remains open. We are ready to talk to you about your gambling habits, give advice on responsible gambling and guide you on where to get treatment if you suffer from compulsive gambling. Call us on 70 22 28 25 or chat with us via stopspillet.dk. 

There are free treatment options for compulsive gambling, and most treatment centres continue the treatment via phone or video during the corona lockdown. 

You can find a list of all free treatment offers on the Danish Gambling Authority’s website.

Good advice from the StopSpillet about responsible gambling during the corona lockdown

Set time limits on your game and preserve an everyday structure 

When everyday life has changed, time can easily slip by. If you choose to gamble, it may be a good idea to set a time frame for your game before you start playing and decide to adhere to it. It may help to set an alarm on your phone. 
Also, make sure you keep as much of your regular structure for everyday life as possible. Get up at the usual hour, do daily chores, stay in touch – at a distance – with your colleagues, friends and/or family. Also, be sure to go outside and get some fresh air and exercise. 

Set a deposit limit for your gambling

When you gamble online, you have the option of setting a deposit limit with your gambling operator. It can help you stick to what you decide to spend if the temptation to continue gambling arises, now that you may have more time to play than you usually do. 

Self-exclude from all online gambling with ROFUS

If you need a break from gambling, you can also choose to register with the Danish Gambling Authority’s register of self-excluded players (ROFUS). 

ROFUS is free and confidential, and by using NemID on www.ROFUS.nu, you can exclude yourself from all online gambling with all gambling operators with a Danish licence, from all casinos and from receiving gambling advertisements.

You can opt for a cool-off period of 24 hours, or an exclusion period of 1, 3 or 6 months or a permanent exclusion. 

Only play for entertainment and never gamble more than you are willing to lose

Gambling can be fun and entertaining, and that is the way it is for most people who gamble. 

If you feel that you are no longer gambling for fun, but are trying to win back what you have lost or fell discomfort such as restlessness when you stay away from gambling, then it is time to slow down.  

If you are in any doubt, please contact us at StopSpillet. When you contact us, we will have a non-committal conversation where we listen to your experience and together, we assess if your gambling may be out of control. Any contact with StopSpillet is confidential.