Stopping at Paradise 8 and blocking its former sisters

Paradise 8’s own tools, on request

• Self-exclusion: the policy says the account is blocked shortly after the request arrives.
• A deposit limit, daily, weekly and monthly, set after “a simple written request”.
• A break of up to six weeks, which the policy says also covers any new account you try to open.
• Closing the account completely, again on request.

Its help list names Gamblers Anonymous, Gambling Therapy and the Global Gambling Guidance Group (G4). It doesn’t name a British service.

Sources: Paradise 8 Responsible Gaming page (paradise8.com).

Where those tools stop

So assume an exclusion or a break at Paradise 8 does not reach This is Vegas, Cocoa Casino, DaVinci’s Gold or any other casino on the same software. The longest break on offer is six weeks.

With an account already open at any of them, ask each support team in writing to exclude you, and keep the replies. GamCare’s advisers can talk the options through, free, at any hour.

Sources: Paradise 8 Responsible Gaming page (paradise8.com); GamCare: blocking software; GamCare, which runs the National Gambling Helpline.

Blocks you can set up yourself, without Paradise 8

• A bank block. GAMSTOP’s page says a bank block stops card payments to online gambling accounts. It works on the payments your bank identifies as gambling, so it narrows the routes in rather than closing them all.
• Blocking software such as Gamban, BetBlocker or Gamblock, all on GamCare’s list, set up on every device you gamble from, whether phone, tablet or computer. Some are free and some charge, and what each one stops depends on the product.
• GAMSTOP, the free national online self-exclusion scheme, which you can join for six months up to five years.

If you catch yourself looking for a way round a block, that’s your signal to stop and call one of the helplines above.

Sources: GAMSTOP: About Gamstop Online; GamCare: blocking software.

Free, confidential help

• England and Scotland: the National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare, on 0808 8020 133, free, 24 hours a day.
• Wales: the NHS Wales gambling helpline on 0808 2819 265, free from a landline or mobile, around the clock.
• If you’re struggling with how you feel, you can ring Samaritans at any time on 116 123.

Sources: GamCare, which runs the National Gambling Helpline; NHS: help for problems with gambling; NHS Wales (Betsi Cadwaladr): the Wales gambling helpline.