Who is the campaign aimed at? All of us who have ever placed a bet

It will be difficult to miss that Responsible Gambling Week starts today as betting shop windows across Britain switch from promoting their prices for the latest sporting action to promoting the idea that punters should become more aware of the way in which they gamble.

It may be difficult to miss but it could still be ignored by many of us, who think we already gamble responsibly simply because we would not describe ourselves as problem gamblers.

But one of the key messages of this week of action is that we should all think a little more about how we bet. Do we ever bet when we really have not got the funds to spare? Do we bet to chases losses, or in an attempt to clear a bill? Do we have any idea of how much we lose on a regular basis and should we impose stricter limits on ourselves?

These may not be questions we have asked ourselves too often but they may be thoughts that are in the minds of our families or friends.

This week offers the opportunity to reflect and to discuss with others the way we gamble and the slogan for the week’s activities amplifies that: “Let’s talk about responsible gambling.”

You may want to talk further with your gambling operator and the opportunity to self-exclude, or to self-impose a limit on stakes or on the amount of time we bet is an option. It is possible to take a holiday from betting in the same way that many people take a month away from drinking.

There are also information points set up in towns and cities across Britain on various days this week (see list below) where you can talk to someone and obtain details of where to receive specialist advice.

Or you can contact Gamcare.org or Begambleaware.org directly through their websites or via the national gambling helplines: 0808 8020 133 in the UK, 08000 886 725 in Northern Ireland, where the relevant organisation is Dunlewey.net, or 1800 936 725 in the Republic of Ireland to get into contact with problemgambling.ie.

If you bet in other ways than with a bookmaker you will see the same message this week as arcades, bingo clubs, casinos and websites take part in the biggest ever pan-industry social responsibility campaign, led by the Industry Group for Responsible Gambling (IGRG).

Online chatrooms and interactive Q&A sessions on Twitter and Facebook will help to encourage and broaden the discussion. It is time to start talking.

Information points to find out more

All take place between 10am-2pm

Birmingham
Kingstanding Leisure Centre, Dulwich Rd, Kingstanding, B44 0EW. Friday, October 13

Resorts World, Pendigo Way, B40 1PU. Tuesday, October 17

Brighton
Business Centre, 95 Ditchling Rd, BN1 4ST. Thursday 12 – Saturday, Oct 14

Bristol
Kings Court, King Street, BS1 4EF. Friday, October 13

Cambridge
Citibase, Sheraton House, Castle Park, CB3 0AX. Friday 13– Sun, Oct 15

Cardiff
2nd Floor, 57-59 St Mary Street, CF10 1FE. Monday, October 16

Chelmsford
4th Floor Victoria House, Victoria Rd, CM1 1JR. Sat 14 – Mon, Oct 16

Glasgow
Woodside Halls, 36 Glenfarg St, G20 7QE. Thursday 12– Saturday, October 14

Harrogate
Krysallis, 104 Station Parade, HG1 1HQ. Thurs 12, Fri 13 and Monday, Oct 16

Ipswich
Co-op education Centre, 11 Fore St, IP4 1JW. Monday 16 – Tuesday, October 17

Leeds
Leeds Becket University, Rose Bowl City Campus, LS1 3HB. Wednesday, October 18

St George’s Centre, St George’s Road, LS10 4UZ. Monday, October 16

Compton Centre Community Hub, 322 Hare Hills Lane, LS9 7BG. Tuesday, October 17

Liverpool
263 Townsend Lane, Liverpool, L13 9DG. Thurs 12, and Sat 14 – Weds Oct 18

London
Pimlico Library, Lupus Street, SW1V 3AT. Thursday, October 12

Swiss Cottage Library, 88 Avenue Road, NW3 3HA. Friday, October 13

Charing Cross Library, 35 St Martin’s St, WC2H 7HP. Friday, October 13

Maidstone
9 Romney Place, ME15 6LT. Monday, October 16 – Wednesday, October 18

Manchester
Rates Hall, Town Hall extension, Albert Square: Thursday 12, and Saturday 14 – Wednesday, October 18

Milton Keynes
300 Saxon Gate West, MK9 2ES. Friday, October 13

Newcastle upon Tyne
Grainger Market, NE1 5QQ. Wednesday, October 18

Northampton
36-39 Abington Square, NN1 4AA. Wednesday, October 18

Norwich
17-19 St John Maddermarket, NR2 1DN. Thursday 12 – Friday, October 13

Sheffield
Fargate. Fri 13 – Sun, October 15

Shrewsbury
The Lantern, Meadow Farm Drive, Harlescott, SY1 4NG. Tuesday, Oct 17

Solihull
The Core, Solihull Library, Homer Rd, B91 3RG. Thursday, October 12

South Shields
Ocean Road, NE33 2DW. Friday, October 13

Southampton
Cobbett Road Library, Cobbett Road, SO18 1HL. Tuesday, October 17

Telford
Southwater Square, Southwater Way, TF3 4JG. Wednesday, October 18