Please gamble responsibly
Betting can be entertaining when controlled — and devastating when it isn't. Take 3 minutes to learn the warning signs, check yourself with a validated screening test, and find real help if you need it.
What does 'responsible' actually mean?
Responsible gambling isn't a marketing slogan — it's a set of concrete habits that separate entertainment from harm. The line is crossed when betting starts affecting your finances, relationships, sleep, or mental health. The shift is gradual and easy to deny while it's happening.
Industry data: roughly 1 in 100 adults in regulated markets meets clinical criteria for problem gambling. Another 3-5% are at-risk. If you're reading this page seriously, you're already doing the right thing — most people in trouble don't.
The numbers behind it
Warning signs
If two or more of these apply to you in the last few months, take the screening test below.
- 1 Betting with money you can't afford to lose, or money meant for rent/bills
- 2 Chasing losses — increasing stakes to win back what you've lost
- 3 Lying to family or friends about how much you bet
- 4 Borrowing money or selling things to fund gambling
- 5 Gambling causing stress, anxiety, sleep loss, or arguments
- 6 Failed attempts to cut back or stop
- 7 Thinking about betting most of the time, including at work
- 8 Feeling restless or irritable when not gambling
Resources by country
All helplines below are free, confidential, and verified at time of writing. If you're outside these countries, see findahelpline.com for a full directory.
Ukraine legalized regulated gambling in 2020 (Law No. 768-IX) and established КРАІЛ (Gambling and Lotteries Regulatory Commission). КРАІЛ operates a national self-exclusion registry — one application blocks you from all licensed operators for 6 months to indefinite period.
Great Britain has the world's most developed responsible gambling infrastructure. GamCare operates the National Gambling Helpline (24/7, free, confidential). GAMSTOP is the official self-exclusion scheme — one signup blocks every UK-licensed online operator.
Poland regulates gambling under the Act on Gambling Games (Ustawa o grach hazardowych). Online sports betting is permitted only with operators holding a Ministry of Finance license. Multiple free helplines provide support for behavioral addictions.
Germany regulates online gambling under the Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (GlüStV). All licensed operators must participate in the OASIS national self-exclusion register. The BIÖG (former BZgA) operates a free federal helpline.
Spain regulates online betting through DGOJ (Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego). RGIAJ is the national self-exclusion register — one signup blocks all licensed Spanish operators.
France regulates online gambling through ANJ (Autorité Nationale des Jeux). Self-exclusion is managed nationally through the Fichier des Interdits de Jeu maintained by the Ministry of Interior.
Italy regulates gambling through ADM (Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli). RUA is the national self-exclusion register — voluntary block from all licensed Italian operators.
Netherlands regulates online gambling through KSA (Kansspelautoriteit). Cruks is the national self-exclusion register — mandatory tool for all licensed Dutch operators since 2021.
Sweden regulates online gambling through Spelinspektionen. Spelpaus is the national self-exclusion register — strict mandatory tool for all licensed Swedish operators.
If you're worried about someone else
Family and friends of problem gamblers can also call all the helplines listed above — they accept calls from concerned others, not just the person gambling. Gam-Anon is a specialized peer-support network for family members affected by someone else's gambling.
Have you bet more than you could really afford to lose?
Have you needed to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling of excitement?
Have you gone back another day to try to win back the money you lost?
Have you borrowed money or sold anything to get money to gamble?
Have you felt that you might have a problem with gambling?
Has gambling caused you any health problems, including stress or anxiety?
Have people criticized your betting or told you that you had a gambling problem?
Has gambling caused any financial problems for you or your household?
Have you felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble?
Your answers suggest your betting is currently in a low-risk zone. Keep the habits that work: pre-set budgets, time limits, never chasing losses. Re-take this test every few months if anything changes.
You may experience some negative consequences from gambling, but nothing severe yet. This is a good moment to set firmer limits and review your habits. The resources below are useful even at this stage.
Your answers suggest significant negative consequences from gambling. Please consider speaking with a professional. The helplines below are free, confidential, and staffed by people trained for exactly this situation. Most people in this zone benefit greatly from talking it through.
Your answers strongly suggest a gambling problem with serious negative consequences. This is not a moral failing — it's a recognized condition that responds well to treatment. Please call one of the helplines below today. They are free, confidential, and will not judge you.
Next steps
Resources by country
Ukraine legalized regulated gambling in 2020 (Law No. 768-IX) and established КРАІЛ (Gambling and Lotteries Regulatory Commission). КРАІЛ operates a national self-exclusion registry — one application blocks you from all licensed operators for 6 months to indefinite period.
Great Britain has the world's most developed responsible gambling infrastructure. GamCare operates the National Gambling Helpline (24/7, free, confidential). GAMSTOP is the official self-exclusion scheme — one signup blocks every UK-licensed online operator.
Poland regulates gambling under the Act on Gambling Games (Ustawa o grach hazardowych). Online sports betting is permitted only with operators holding a Ministry of Finance license. Multiple free helplines provide support for behavioral addictions.
Germany regulates online gambling under the Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (GlüStV). All licensed operators must participate in the OASIS national self-exclusion register. The BIÖG (former BZgA) operates a free federal helpline.
Spain regulates online betting through DGOJ (Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego). RGIAJ is the national self-exclusion register — one signup blocks all licensed Spanish operators.
France regulates online gambling through ANJ (Autorité Nationale des Jeux). Self-exclusion is managed nationally through the Fichier des Interdits de Jeu maintained by the Ministry of Interior.
Italy regulates gambling through ADM (Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli). RUA is the national self-exclusion register — voluntary block from all licensed Italian operators.
Netherlands regulates online gambling through KSA (Kansspelautoriteit). Cruks is the national self-exclusion register — mandatory tool for all licensed Dutch operators since 2021.
Sweden regulates online gambling through Spelinspektionen. Spelpaus is the national self-exclusion register — strict mandatory tool for all licensed Swedish operators.