At Invernessbookfestival, player welfare is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that gambling should always be an enjoyable, entertaining experience — and we are committed to making sure it stays that way. Our mission is not simply to review casinos like PlayOJO; it is to ensure that every visitor to invernessbookfestival.co.uk has access to the knowledge, tools, and support they need to gamble safely and responsibly. If at any point the fun stops, we want to help you find your way back to balance — without judgement, without pressure, and with complete confidentiality.
Recognising the Warning Signs
Problem gambling can develop gradually and is not always easy to spot in yourself. Being aware of the early warning signs is one of the most powerful steps you can take. Watch out for the following behaviours:
- Spending more money or time gambling than you originally intended
- Chasing losses by placing bigger or more frequent bets
- Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when you are not gambling
- Lying to friends or family members about how much you gamble
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling activity
- Neglecting work, study, relationships, or personal health because of gambling
- Using gambling as a way to escape stress, anxiety, or difficult emotions
- Failed attempts to cut down or stop gambling on your own
- Feeling a constant preoccupation with gambling, even when doing other things
Quick Self-Assessment
Taking a moment to honestly check in with yourself can make a real difference. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Have I ever gambled with money set aside for essential bills or living costs?
- Do I feel the need to gamble with increasing amounts to get the same level of excitement?
- Have I ever felt guilty or ashamed about my gambling behaviour?
- Have friends or family expressed concern about how much I gamble?
- Do I find it difficult to walk away once I have started gambling?
- Have I ever missed an important event or commitment because I was gambling?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of the free support organisations listed further down this page.
Tools That Keep You in Control
Licensed UK casinos like PlayOJO are required by the UK Gambling Commission to offer a range of responsible gambling tools. These tools are free, easy to use, and designed to put you firmly in control of your play.
| Tool | What It Does | Where to Set It |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit Limits | Restricts the maximum amount you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly | Account settings or Responsible Gaming section on the casino site |
| Loss & Wager Limits | Caps the total amount you can lose or bet within a chosen time period | Account settings or Responsible Gaming section on the casino site |
| Reality Checks | Sends timed on-screen reminders showing how long you have been playing and how much you have spent | Account preferences or session limit settings on the casino site |
| Cooling-Off Period | Temporarily suspends your account for a short defined period (e.g. 24 hours to 6 weeks) so you can take a break | Responsible Gaming section or by contacting customer support |
| Self-Exclusion (GAMSTOP) | Allows you to exclude yourself from all UK-licensed gambling sites for a minimum of 6 months via the national GAMSTOP scheme | Register directly at gamstop.co.uk — free and takes only a few minutes |
Strict 18+ Policy
Gambling is strictly for adults aged 18 and over in Great Britain. This is a legal requirement, and every reputable casino operating in the UK — including PlayOJO — must verify the age of all customers before allowing any real-money play. We strongly support these measures and urge every adult to keep gambling sites inaccessible to any young people in their household. Consider using parental control software such as Gamban or NetNanny to help block access to gambling websites on shared devices. If you are under 18, please leave this page now and do not attempt to access any gambling platform.
Where to Get Free, Confidential Help
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, please know that help is always available — for free and in complete confidence. The following trusted organisations offer expert support to people in Great Britain and beyond:
- GamCare — The leading UK support provider for anyone affected by problem gambling. Free helpline, live chat, and counselling. Visit gamcare.org.uk
- BeGambleAware — Offers early intervention, advice, and signposting to specialist treatment services across Great Britain. Visit begambleaware.org
- Gambling Therapy — Provides free, multilingual online support including live chat, forums, and therapy groups. Visit gamblingtherapy.org
- NCPG (National Council on Problem Gambling) — A global resource providing education, advocacy, and access to treatment services. Visit ncpgambling.org
- Gamblers Anonymous — A peer-support fellowship offering group meetings for those affected by compulsive gambling, with a strong UK presence. Visit gamblersanonymous.org
Our Commitment
Invernessbookfestival is dedicated to promoting a culture of safer gambling across every piece of content we publish. We only review and recommend casinos — including PlayOJO — that hold a valid UK Gambling Commission licence and actively uphold responsible gambling standards. We display responsible gambling information prominently, link to support organisations throughout our site, and maintain a strict 18+ policy on all content. We regularly review our own practices to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect our readers. If you have any concerns about the way gambling is presented on invernessbookfestival.co.uk, we welcome your feedback — because your wellbeing matters to us far more than any commission we might earn.