Responsible play
Our lottery exists to support paddlers, not to cause harm. Here is how we keep play safe, and where to get free help anywhere in the UK.
Play safe: age limit and responsible gambling
Everything you need in one place: age rules, how to stay in control and where to get free, confidential help anywhere in the UK.
Age limit: 18+ only
- You must be 18 or over and live in Great Britain to buy an entry.
- The legal minimum age for society lotteries in Great Britain is 16. We have chosen 18+ for online play, in line with the National Lottery and good practice.
- We check age and identity before any entry goes into a draw. We may ask for proof of age before paying a prize.
- If a player is found to be under 18, all entries are cancelled, every payment is refunded and no prize is paid.
- Parents and carers: free tools such as Gamban and BetBlocker can block gambling sites on family devices.
Staying in control
- Play to support the club and for a bit of fun. A lottery is not a way to make money.
- Set a budget you can afford to lose. You can play a maximum of 5 entries (£5) per week.
- Never borrow money to play or try to win back money you have spent.
- Take a break, lower your entries or cancel at any time by emailing [email protected].
- Self-exclude from our lottery for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. See how.
Spending more than you planned, chasing losses, hiding how much you play, feeling anxious or low about gambling, or gambling getting in the way of bills, work, study or relationships. If any of this sounds familiar, please talk to someone. Support is free and confidential.
Free, confidential support across the UK
- National Gambling Helpline (GamCare)0808 8020 133, free 24/7, plus live chat at gamcare.org.uk. In Scotland you can also email [email protected].
- GambleAwareAdvice, self-assessment and a service finder at gambleaware.org, now kept running by the UK Government's Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.
- Gamblers Anonymous UKFree peer support meetings across Scotland and the UK, in person and online: gamblersanonymous.org.uk.
- GamAnonSupport for family and friends affected by someone else's gambling: gamanon.org.uk.
- Gordon MoodyResidential and online treatment for people most affected by gambling harm, including programmes in Scotland: gordonmoody.org.uk.
- RCA Trust (Scotland)Free one-to-one counselling and group support across Scotland: rcatrust.org.uk.
- Fast Forward (Scotland)Gambling harm education and support for young people, families and youth workers: fastforward.org.uk.
- Money and debt adviceStepChange 0800 138 1111, National Debtline 0808 808 4000, Citizens Advice Scotland at cas.org.uk. Most banks also let you block gambling payments in their app.
- SamaritansIf you are struggling or feel unsafe, call 116 123, free, any time. In an emergency call 999.
Blocking and self-exclusion tools
- Self-exclude from our lotteryEmail [email protected] with the subject "Self-exclusion". We close your entries within 24 hours and will not market to you. Full details.
- GAMSTOPFree self-exclusion from all online gambling sites licensed in Great Britain: gamstop.co.uk. Society lotteries may not be covered, so please self-exclude with us too.
- Gamban and BetBlockerSoftware that blocks gambling websites and apps on your devices: gamban.com, betblocker.org (free).
- The regulatorThe Gambling Commission regulates gambling in Great Britain and publishes advice for consumers: gamblingcommission.gov.uk.
Limits, breaks and self-exclusion
Lower your spend
Reduce the number of entries you hold at any time. The maximum is 5 entries (£5) per week per person, and you can set a lower personal limit.
Take a break
Pause your entries for 1, 3 or 6 months. No payments are taken and no marketing is sent during a break.
Self-exclude
Self-exclude from the Pinkston Panthers Lottery for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. We will close your entries within 24 hours, refund any unused payment, and will not accept new entries from you or send you lottery marketing. A self-exclusion cannot be reversed early. At the end you must contact us to start playing again, after a 24-hour cooling-off period.
To request any of these, email [email protected] with your name, postcode and the option you want, or use the contact form. We act within 24 hours.
Quick self-check
In the last year, have you:
- bet more than you could really afford to lose?
- needed to gamble with more money to get the same feeling?
- gone back to try to win back money you lost?
- borrowed money or sold anything to gamble?
- felt guilty about the way you gamble?
If you answered yes to any of these, consider talking to the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or doing a full self-assessment at gambleaware.org.
Our commitments
- Strict 18+ policy with age and identity checks.
- A low weekly limit of 5 entries per person.
- No credit card payments for lottery entries.
- No marketing aimed at under-18s and no pressure tactics.
- Volunteers trained to spot signs of harm and signpost support.
- Help information on every page of this website.