Gambling harm - when a person develops a serious preoccupation with gambling which impacts on mental or physical health. It can include severe mental health problems, including suicidal thoughts.
Self-exclusion - a mechanism for protecting people from betting shops; if someone is concerned about their gambling habits they can request not to be served by that gambling provider for a minimum of six months.
Stake limits - the maximum funds someone is allowed to risk in a game cycle.
VIP schemes - loyalty programmes where gambling companies offer valuable customers extra incentives to gamble, such as free bets, exclusive offers and being entered into prize draws.
Peer to peer gambling - a form of betting where, instead of betting on a price fixed by a company, a user sets a price and exchanges money with a peer.
Parimutuel betting - also known as pool betting, this is a form of betting where all the stakes are placed into a single pool, and the winner takes all.
Affordability checks - background checks which are designed to protect players from gambling-related harms, such as by checking for bankruptcy orders or for a history of unpaid debts, triggered at a certain degree of monthly spend.
Loot boxes - virtual items in video games that players can purchase or earn, containing a randomised selection of in-game items. The contents are typically unknown until the loot box is opened, creating an element of chance. They are often available in games targeted at children.
Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBT) - machines which allow players to bet on a variety of games, such as roulette, blackjack, and slot games, with fixed odds of winning. Players can place bets quickly, which has led to concerns about their potential to contribute to gambling harms.
Virtual casino - an online version of a traditional physical casino, allowing gamblers to wager on casino games through the internet.
Online slot betting - in a slot game, players spin reels containing various symbols in an attempt to match specific combinations. Online slot games often include features such as bonus rounds, jackpots, and themed graphics. The ease of access, variety of games, and fast-paced nature of online slot betting have raised concerns about its potential to contribute to gambling addiction. The UK government has recently announced new restrictions on online slot betting, capping spins at £5 for those 25 and over, and £2 for 18–24-year-olds.
Gambling Commission - the executive public body of the UK government responsible for regulating gambling law. Its remit covers arcades, betting, bingo, casinos, slot machines and lotteries. It was established under the Gambling Act 2005 and assumed full powers in 2007. Its stated aims are to keep crime out of gambling and to protect the vulnerable.
GAMSTOP - a multi-operator self-exclusion tool that enables people to register their self-exclusion with the Gambling Commission, so as to protect them from gambling online.
Gamcare - a leading provider of information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling harms. They operate the National Gambling Helpline (0808 80 20 133), open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.