Safer Gambling

Introduction and commitment

We believe gambling should always be enjoyable and safe. This safer gambling policy explains the tools, protections, and support available to you as a customer. Our goal is to provide you with the information and resources needed to stay in control of your gambling. This is true even before we start operating our gambling products and services.

Age and Identity Verification

Gambling in Great Britain is restricted to individuals aged 18 or over. Gambling operators are legally required to verify the age and identity of all customers before allowing gambling activity. This process may include requests for official documents (such as passport, driving licence, or proof of address). If underage gambling is identified, the account will be closed, winnings will be forfeited, and funds may be returned.

Safer Gambling Tools and Controls

Gambling operators should provide a range of tools to help you manage your gambling. These include deposit limits, loss limits, time management tools, self-exclusion, and account closure. Each tool is described below in detail.

Deposit Limits

Deposit limits allow you to control how much money you can add to your account over a chosen period (daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly). You can set these limits through your account. Below are the key details of DipStakes deposit limits that will be offered once our gambling operations start.

Decreasing your limit: takes effect immediately.
Increasing your limit: changes to take effect after 24 hours where possible. It is not possible to increase your limits during the initial period you set the limits. For example, if you set a monthly deposit limit, you cannot increase the limit before the first month is complete. The reason for this is to help prevent problem gambling, for example, enabling people to chase losses, potentially leading to even greater losses.
Default operator limits: we apply default deposit limit of £760 per year. This figure was chosen as it is the annual cost of road tax (VED) for a Mk1 Audi R8 V8 manual. You may request lower limits at any time.

These limits are in place to help you maintain control and prevent excessive gambling.

Spend Budgets

Spend Budgets are automatic limits applied by gambling operators to help manage affordability. A spend budget is based on the level of information you share. Below are the key details of DipStakes spend budgets that will be offered once our gambling operations start.

If you are willing to share greater levels of information for affordability (for example, source of wealth and source of funds) you will have a higher spend budget. Should you prefer to share less information, your spend budget will reflect this. The reason for this approach is to help protect against money laundering/terrorist financing, and also help ensure safer gambling for our customers (i.e. they aren’t spending beyond their means).

Special protections apply to customers under 25, with lower default budgets.

If you would like to request an increase to your Spend Budget, you will need to provide documentation such as payslips or bank statements. Requests to lower budgets are applied as soon as practicably possible; requests to increase will be reviewed and may take several days.

Loss Limits

Loss limits allow you to set a maximum amount you are willing to lose over a defined period (daily, weekly, monthly). These limits take into account your total losses and can be set separately from deposit limits. Loss limits give you more direct control over potential outcomes.

Time Management Tools

We encourage you to manage the amount of time you spend gambling. For DipStakes, the most relevant tool is the ability to take a break. This is where you temporarily suspend your account for 24 hours, 7 days, or longer.

Self-Exclusion

If you need to stop gambling for a longer period, you can self-exclude:

Online Self-Exclusion: request exclusion from your account for 6 months or longer.
Retail Self-Exclusion: exclude from betting shops by contacting staff. This is not applicable to DipStakes (as we have no betting shops) but it is included for reference.
GamStop: register with the UK-wide self-exclusion service to block all licensed UK operators.

During exclusion, you should not receive marketing communications, and access to your account will be blocked.

Account Closure

You may choose to permanently close your account. Closure is different from Take a Break or Self-Exclusion. If you close your account, you will not be able to reopen it. Any remaining balance will be returned to you, and any unsettled bets may be voided depending on terms.

Affordability and Financial Checks

Affordability and financial checks include:

Soft Credit Checks: non-intrusive checks that do not affect your credit rating.
Source of Funds (SOF): documentation such as payslips or bank statements to confirm where your gambling funds originate.
Source of Wealth (SOW): documents such as proof of investments or property ownership, where necessary.

If you do not provide this information when requested, your account may be suspended or restricted until the review is complete.

Single Customer View – GamProtect

GamProtect is a UK initiative designed to improve customer protection by sharing information between licensed operators. If you are identified as at risk of harm with one operator, GamProtect ensures that this risk is recognised across multiple operators. Data shared is secure, limited, and used only to protect customers from harm.

Special Protections for Vulnerable Groups

Younger customers and other vulnerable groups may face higher risks of gambling harm. Protections include:

Under 25s: lower default spend budgets and increased monitoring.
Enhanced affordability checks for customers showing risk indicators.
Clear guidance on risks and safer play practices.

Recognising Problem Gambling

Signs that gambling may be becoming a problem include:

Spending more money or time than intended.
Chasing losses after losing.
Borrowing money to gamble.
Hiding gambling from friends or family.
Gambling impacting your work, studies, or relationships.

We encourage you to review your gambling regularly. Below is a self-assessment questionnaire.

Self-Assessment Questions:

Do you gamble more than you can afford?
Do you gamble to escape stress, anxiety, or depression?
Have you ever chased losses?
Has gambling caused financial difficulties?
Do you hide gambling from others?
Do you feel restless when not gambling?
Have you borrowed money to gamble?

If you answer YES to two or more, consider using the support resources listed below.

Support Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, help is available:

National Gambling Helpline (GamCare): 0808 8020 133 (24/7, free, confidential).
GamCare: counselling and advice services.
BeGambleAware: information, self-help tools, and referrals.
GamStop: UK-wide exclusion from online gambling.
IBAS (Independent Betting Adjudication Service): independent dispute resolution.

Complaints and Dispute Resolution

Gambling operators aim to resolve complaints quickly and fairly. If you are unhappy with their response, you may escalate your complaint to their chosen independent dispute resolution provider. You can find information about an operator's independent dispute resolution provider in their complaints procedure.

Operator Responsibilities

An operator should be committed to responsible gambling. This means:

Not marketing to self-excluded customers.
Providing clear terms and conditions.
Monitoring for signs of problem gambling and intervening when necessary.
Continuously improving safer gambling practices in line with UK Gambling Commission guidance.