Responsible gambling
Our lottery should only ever be a bit of fun that helps local children. Here is how we keep it that way, and where to get free help across the UK.
Worried about gambling? Talk to someone today.
The National Gambling Helpline is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, for anyone in England, Scotland or Wales, including family and friends.
Our commitments to you
- 18+ only. We check dates of birth on every entry and may ask for proof of age before any prize is paid.
- A cap of 10 entries (£10) per person per weekly draw, whatever you ask for.
- No automatic renewals. You pay up front for a set number of draws and nothing is taken again unless you choose to play again.
- You can set your own lower weekly or monthly spending limit when you enter, and lower it at any time.
- Self-exclusion on request, for 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years or permanently.
- No credit cards. Entries are paid by debit card only, so you cannot play with borrowed money.
- No instant-win games, no rollovers and no pressure: one simple weekly draw.
- We never market to under-18s, never feature under-25s in our lottery promotions and never suggest that playing will solve money worries.
- We publish where every pound goes and the chances of winning.
Tips for safer play
- Think of your entry as a donation to Gala Week with a small chance of a prize, not as a way to make money.
- Decide what you can afford before you play and never go over it.
- Never chase losses or play more because you have not won recently.
- Never borrow money, use savings meant for bills or sell things to gamble.
- Do not gamble when you feel low, stressed, lonely, angry or after drinking.
- Balance gambling with other activities and keep track of the time and money you spend on all gambling, not just ours.
- Talk openly with family or friends about how much you spend.
Is gambling becoming a problem? Ask yourself honestly
If you answer yes to any of these, it may be time to take a break and talk to someone. The National Gambling Helpline can help you work through them.
- Do you spend more money or time on gambling than you meant to?
- Do you need to gamble with more and more money to feel the same excitement?
- Have you tried to cut down or stop and found it hard?
- Do you go back to try to win back money you have lost?
- Have you borrowed money or sold things to pay for gambling?
- Do you feel restless, irritable or anxious when you are not gambling?
- Do you hide or lie about how much you gamble?
- Has gambling caused arguments, money worries or problems at work or home?
- Do you gamble to escape from problems or difficult feelings?
- Has anyone close to you said they are worried about your gambling?
Age limits in Great Britain
| Type of gambling (Great Britain) | Minimum legal age |
|---|---|
| Kinghorn Children's Gala Lottery (our own rule) | 18 |
| Society lotteries generally (legal minimum under the Gambling Act 2005) | 16 |
| The National Lottery (including scratchcards and online instant win games) | 18 |
| Betting shops, casinos, bingo halls and adult gaming centres | 18 |
| All online gambling with licensed operators (betting, casino, slots, bingo) | 18 |
| Football pools | 16 |
| Low-stake Category D machines (for example coin pushers and crane grabs) | No age limit |
The law allows society lotteries to sell to people aged 16 and over. We have chosen 18 as our minimum age because our lottery is played online and we want to protect young people. It is an offence to invite, cause or permit a child or young person to gamble other than where the law allows.
Tools that help you stay in control
GAMSTOP
Free national self-exclusion from online gambling websites and apps licensed in Great Britain, for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. Note: GAMSTOP covers licensed online operators. To be excluded from our lottery, contact us directly as well.
gamstop.co.ukBank gambling blocks
Most UK banks and card providers let you block gambling transactions in their app or by phone. Some add a cooling-off delay before the block can be removed. Ask your bank or look in your card settings.
Blocking software
Apps such as BetBlocker (free) and Gamban block access to gambling websites and apps on your phone, tablet and computer.
betblocker.orgMulti-operator self-exclusion (land-based)
Exclude yourself from betting shops, bingo halls, casinos and arcades in your area through the schemes listed by the Gambling Commission.
gamblingcommission.gov.ukStop gambling marketing
Unsubscribe from gambling emails and texts, and use the Mailing Preference Service and Telephone Preference Service to cut unwanted contact.
tpsonline.org.ukSupport for family and friends
Someone else's gambling can affect you too. Gam-Anon Scotland, GamCare and the National Gambling Helpline all support family members.
gamanonscotland.orgWhere to get help
All of these services are free and confidential. You do not need to have a "serious" problem to call; many people contact them early, or on behalf of someone they love.
Talk to someone now (Great Britain-wide)
National Gambling Helpline
Free, confidential advice for anyone worried about their own or someone else's gambling. Run by GamCare. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
GamCare
Counselling, structured treatment, peer support forums and group chat rooms across England, Scotland and Wales, plus support for women and young people.
Gordon Moody
Specialist charity for people most severely affected by gambling, including residential and intensive programmes available to people in Scotland, and support for family members.
Gambling Therapy
Free online support, live chat and an app run by Gordon Moody, open to anyone affected by gambling, in many languages.
Gamblers Anonymous (England and Wales)
Free peer support meetings, in person and online, for anyone who wants to stop gambling.
NHS gambling services
In England, the NHS runs specialist gambling clinics. In Scotland, start with NHS inform or speak to your GP, who can refer you.
Support in Scotland and Fife
Gamblers Anonymous Scotland
Meetings every night of the week across Scotland, including in Fife, plus a 24-hour helpline and webchat answered by people in recovery.
Gam-Anon Scotland
Confidential meetings for partners, parents, friends and family affected by someone else's gambling. Separate from GA meetings.
RCA Trust
Free one-to-one counselling, group work and family support for people anywhere in Scotland affected by gambling harm. Phone, online or face to face.
Fast Forward: Scottish Gambling Education Hub
Information about gambling harm for young people, parents and anyone who works with young people in Scotland.
Citizens Advice Scotland
Free, impartial advice on debt, benefits and money problems linked to gambling. Local bureaux in Kirkcaldy and across Fife.
Breathing Space
Free, confidential phone and webchat service in Scotland for anyone feeling low, anxious or stressed.
Money and debt
StepChange Debt Charity
Free debt advice and practical solutions, online or by phone, anywhere in the UK.
National Debtline
Free, independent debt advice by phone and online.
MoneyHelper
Free, government-backed guidance on money, debt and budgeting.
If you are in crisis
Samaritans
Someone to talk to, any time, about anything. Free from any phone.
NHS 24
Urgent health advice in Scotland when your GP surgery is closed, including mental health support.
Emergency services
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or a life is at risk, call 999.
Protecting children and young people
We raise money for children, so we take this seriously. Parents and carers: please keep your card details secure, do not let children use your account or devices to enter, and consider parental controls or blocking software. If we suspect an entry was made by someone under 18, we will cancel it, refund the payment and may ask for proof of age. Young people worried about gambling can find support from Fast Forward and GamCare.
Regulation and complaints
Our lottery is registered with Fife Council as a small society lottery under the Gambling Act 2005. Contact us first with any complaint at [email protected]. If you are not satisfied, you can contact Fife Council's licensing team or the Gambling Commission (0121 230 6666, gamblingcommission.gov.uk).
Take a break from our lottery
If you want to stop playing, for any reason, you can ask us to exclude you. You do not need to explain why.
- Choose 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years or permanently.
- Your exclusion starts as soon as we confirm it, within 2 working days of your request.
- Any entries you have already paid for future draws are cancelled and refunded.
- We will not accept new entries from you or send you any lottery marketing during your exclusion.
- An exclusion cannot be shortened. When a fixed period ends, it does not restart automatically: you would need to contact us, and we will wait 24 hours before accepting any new entry.
How to self-exclude
Email [email protected] with the subject "Self-exclusion request", or use our contact form and choose "Self-exclusion request". Include your full name, date of birth, email address, postcode and the length of exclusion you want.
You may also want to sign up to GAMSTOP to block other online gambling, and talk to the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.