If you need help right now, scroll to helplines by country. Help is free and confidential.
When gambling stops being fun
Most people who gamble do not develop a problem. A meaningful minority do. Warning signs include spending more than you intended, chasing losses, hiding play from people close to you, gambling to relieve stress or low mood, borrowing to fund play, and feeling unable to stop after deciding to. If any of those describe you, the help below is free, confidential, and works.
Practical steps you can take today
- Set a deposit limit. Every licensed casino is required to let you set daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits. Use the lowest figure you can live with. You can lower it instantly; raising it has a cool-off period in most jurisdictions.
- Set a session-time limit. If your casino offers a session timer or reality check, switch it on at thirty minutes.
- Use the self-exclusion register for your country. A single registration blocks you from every licensed operator in that jurisdiction for the period you choose. See the country list below.
- Install gambling-blocking software. Gamban and BetBlocker work across devices and apps; both are free for individuals.
- Talk to someone. The helplines below have trained advisors. You do not have to identify yourself.
Helplines and self-exclusion by country
International
United States
- National Problem Gambling Helpline — 1-800-GAMBLER. Free, confidential, 24/7, all 50 states. ncpgambling.org
- State-level self-exclusion programmes vary by state; the helpline above will route you.
United Kingdom
- GAMSTOP — National self-exclusion register for UKGC-licensed online operators. gamstop.co.uk
- GamCare — Free helpline, live chat, and treatment referral. 0808 8020 133, gamcare.org.uk
- BeGambleAware — Information, support routes, and self-assessment tools. begambleaware.org
Canada
Australia
Ireland
Germany
- OASIS — Federal sperrsystem operated under GGL. Self-exclusion blocks you from all licensed German operators. Apply via any licensed operator's player-protection page or via gluecksspiel-behoerde.de
- BZgA Helpline — Free national helpline for gambling problems. 0800 1 37 27 00, spielen-mit-verantwortung.de
Italy
- RUA (Registro Unico degli Auto-esclusi) — National self-exclusion register operated by ADM. Apply via your licensed operator or directly at adm.gov.it
- Telefono Verde Nazionale per Giocatori d'Azzardo — Free helpline. 800 558 822
Spain
- RGIAJ (Registro General de Interdicciones de Acceso al Juego) — National self-exclusion register operated by DGOJ. Apply via ordenacionjuego.es
- FEJAR (Federación Española de Jugadores de Azar Rehabilitados) — fejar.org
Netherlands
- CRUKS (Centraal Register Uitsluiting Kansspelen) — National self-exclusion register. One registration blocks you from every KSA-licensed online casino and land-based venue for at least six months. Register at kansspelautoriteit.nl
- Loket Kansspel — Free, confidential helpline for problem gambling. 0900-2177721 or loketkansspel.nl
- AGOG (Anonieme Gokkers Omgeving Gokkers) — Peer support group. agog.nl
Blocking software
- Gamban — Blocks gambling sites and apps across phone, tablet, and computer. Free for users via partnerships with GamCare and others. gamban.com
- BetBlocker — Free, ad-free blocker available worldwide. betblocker.org
For friends and family
Gambling harm reaches partners, children, and parents. The helplines above offer support for affected others as well as the person gambling. In the UK, GamFam (gamfam.org.uk) is dedicated to this. In the US, Gam-Anon (gam-anon.org) runs partner meetings.
How BetVouch reflects responsible-gambling practice
Every casino we review is scored in part on its responsible-gambling tools: deposit limits, reality checks, self-exclusion paths, support for at-risk players, and whether the operator is connected to the national self-exclusion register for the markets it serves. Operators that fall short on these are scored down. We do not publish content that helps players circumvent self-exclusion in any jurisdiction.
If any link on this page is broken or any helpline detail is out of date, please email editorial@betvouch.com. We re-check this page at the start of every quarter.
