Responsible Gaming
Last Updated: November 14, 2024
Our Commitment to Responsible Gaming
At PortugalPlayZone, we are committed to promoting responsible gaming practices and ensuring that our services remain a source of entertainment, not harm. We believe gaming should be enjoyable, safe, and conducted within sensible limits. This page provides information, tools, and resources to help you maintain control over your gaming activities.
Understanding Responsible Gaming
Responsible gaming means enjoying our services in a balanced way that doesn't negatively impact your life, relationships, finances, or wellbeing. The vast majority of people enjoy gaming responsibly as a form of entertainment, but it's important to recognise when gaming might be becoming problematic.
✓ Signs of Healthy Gaming
- Gaming as one of many leisure activities
- Staying within predetermined time and money limits
- Stopping when you planned to stop
- Maintaining balance with other responsibilities
- Viewing gaming as entertainment, not income
⚠ Warning Signs to Watch For
- Spending more time or money than intended
- Gaming to escape problems or negative feelings
- Borrowing money to fund gaming activities
- Neglecting work, family, or social obligations
- Feeling anxious or irritable when not gaming
Self-Assessment Questions
Ask yourself these questions honestly to evaluate your gaming habits:
If you answered "yes" to several of these questions, you may be developing or experiencing gaming-related problems. We strongly encourage you to seek support using the resources provided below.
Tools for Safer Gaming
We provide various tools to help you maintain control over your gaming activities:
1. Deposit Limits
Set daily, weekly, or monthly limits on the amount you can deposit into your account. This helps you control your spending and ensures you never deposit more than you can afford.
- How it works: Once set, you cannot exceed this limit during the specified period
- Changes: Decreases take effect immediately; increases have a 24-48 hour cooling-off period
- Recommendation: Set limits based on your disposable income, never essential funds
2. Time Limits & Session Reminders
Configure alerts to remind you how long you've been gaming or set maximum session durations.
- Session alerts: Receive notifications after a specified time period (e.g., every 30 minutes)
- Reality checks: Regular prompts showing your current session duration and activity
- Session limits: Automatically log out after reaching your predetermined time limit
3. Loss Limits
Set a maximum amount you're willing to lose over a specific period. Once reached, you won't be able to place further activities until the period resets.
- Available on daily, weekly, or monthly basis
- Calculated as deposits minus withdrawals
- Cannot be increased or removed during an active period
4. Cooling-Off Periods (Take a Break)
Temporarily suspend your account for a period of 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days, or longer if needed.
- During this time, you cannot access your account or place activities
- Cooling-off periods cannot be reversed once activated
- Your account will automatically reactivate after the specified period
- Useful when you feel you need a break to reassess your gaming habits
5. Self-Exclusion
Permanent Account Closure Option
Self-exclusion allows you to close your account for a minimum period of 6 months up to 5 years, or permanently. This is a serious commitment designed for individuals who recognise they have lost control over their gaming.
- During exclusion: You cannot access your account, create new accounts, or participate in any gaming activities
- Cannot be reversed: Self-exclusion periods cannot be cancelled or shortened once activated
- Withdrawal of funds: You can request withdrawal of any remaining balance
- Marketing: You will be removed from all marketing communications
To self-exclude, please contact our customer support team at support@portugalplayzone.com or use the self-exclusion option in your account settings.
6. Activity History & Statements
Access detailed records of your gaming activity, including:
- Transaction history (deposits, withdrawals, activities placed)
- Session duration and frequency
- Win/loss summaries
- Account balance changes over time
Regularly reviewing your activity can help you stay aware of your gaming patterns and spending.
Multi-Operator Self-Exclusion Schemes
In addition to our self-exclusion options, you can register with national self-exclusion schemes that cover multiple operators:
GAMSTOP (UK)
Free national self-exclusion scheme for online gaming in the UK. Register once to be excluded from all participating operators for 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years.
Visit GAMSTOPGamCare
Leading UK provider of free information, advice, and support for anyone affected by problem gaming. Offers counselling services and self-help tools.
Visit GamCareProtection for Vulnerable Individuals
Underage Gaming Prevention
Gaming is strictly prohibited for individuals under 18 years of age. We take underage gaming very seriously and have robust age verification processes in place.
- All new accounts undergo age verification checks
- We may request additional documentation to verify age
- Accounts suspected of being used by minors are immediately suspended
- We encourage parents to use parental control software and monitor online activities
Financial Vulnerability
We take steps to identify and protect financially vulnerable customers, including:
- Monitoring for patterns of excessive or problematic gaming behaviour
- Conducting affordability assessments when necessary
- Offering assistance and referring to support services
- Implementing account restrictions or closures when appropriate
Get Help & Support
If you're concerned about your gaming or someone else's, help is available. These organisations provide free, confidential support:
| Organisation | Services | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| GamCare | Free helpline, online chat, counselling, support groups |
Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (24/7) Web: www.gamcare.org.uk |
| BeGambleAware | Information, advice, treatment services |
Helpline: 0808 8020 133 Web: www.begambleaware.org |
| Gamblers Anonymous | Peer support meetings (online and in-person) | Web: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk |
| National Gambling Helpline | Confidential advice and support |
Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (24/7) Web chat: Available on BeGambleAware website |
| Gordon Moody Association | Residential treatment programmes, counselling |
Phone: 01384 241 292 Web: www.gordonmoody.org.uk |
Support for Family & Friends
Gaming problems don't just affect the individual – they impact families and loved ones too. If someone you care about has a gaming problem, support is available for you as well:
- GamAnon: Support groups for friends and family of problem gamblers - www.gamanon.org.uk
- GamCare: Advice and support for affected others - 0808 8020 133
Tips for Responsible Gaming
✓ DO:
- Set a budget and stick to it
- Only use money you can afford to lose
- Take regular breaks from gaming
- Keep gaming as entertainment, not a way to make money
- Balance gaming with other activities
- Be honest with yourself about your gaming
- Use the tools and limits available
- Seek help early if you're concerned
✗ DON'T:
- Chase your losses
- Gamble with money needed for essentials
- Borrow money to fund gaming
- Gamble when upset, stressed, or depressed
- Use gaming as a way to escape problems
- Let gaming interfere with work or relationships
- Ignore warning signs of problem gaming
- Keep your gaming a secret from loved ones
Our Responsible Gaming Commitments
We are committed to:
- Providing clear, accessible information about responsible gaming
- Offering effective tools to help customers stay in control
- Training our staff to identify and respond to problem gaming indicators
- Preventing underage access through robust age verification
- Ensuring marketing is socially responsible and not targeted at vulnerable groups
- Supporting research and treatment services for gaming-related harm
- Collaborating with regulators and harm prevention organisations
- Regularly reviewing and improving our responsible gaming practices
Contact Our Responsible Gaming Team
If you have questions about responsible gaming, need help activating tools or limits, or want to discuss concerns about your account, please contact us:
- Email: support@portugalplayzone.com
- Phone: +351 21 847 6293
- Address: Avenida da Liberdade 195, 1250-142 Lisboa, Portugal
Our responsible gaming team is trained to handle sensitive matters with discretion and respect. All communications are treated confidentially.
Remember: Gaming Should Be Fun
When gaming stops being fun and starts causing stress, financial problems, or relationship difficulties, it's time to take action. Don't hesitate to reach out for support – recognising you need help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Recovery is possible with the right support.
Regulatory Compliance: This page has been prepared in accordance with UK Gambling Commission requirements for licensed operators. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of player protection and social responsibility.