Set limits before play
Decide a loss limit, deposit cap and end time while calm. A limit changed during play is no longer an effective limit.
Health before entertainment
Regaining control often begins with a pause
Gambling becomes harmful when it affects essential money, time, relationships, work or health. Support is appropriate before a crisis develops.
Treat chasing as a warning sign
Increasing stakes to recover losses usually raises exposure and stress. Stop, step away and speak to someone you trust.
Use formal protections
Account blocks, banking controls and self-exclusion can create useful distance. Professional and official support services can help.
Practical next step
Take a gambling break that actually protects you
When limits stop working, a break needs practical steps: restrict access, protect essential money and seek support.
Practical guide
Make a pause practical
Support is appropriate as soon as gambling affects money, time, relationships or health. A concrete barrier is more reliable than a promise made during a stressful session.
Review the full history
Use the same period across all accounts: net loss equals opening available balance plus deposits, minus received withdrawals and closing available balance. Record unpaid bills, borrowing, fees and pending transactions separately. Deposit and withdrawal flows alone do not measure a session when the balance changes.
Interrupt access
Close the session, remove gambling apps and notifications, and use limits or self-exclusion. Ask a trusted person to help protect essential spending. Do not make another deposit to recover a loss.
Ask for help early
In France, Joueurs Info Service offers direct support and the ANJ provides a formal voluntary gambling ban. The support panel below lists official sources and French emergency contacts. Outside France, use local services.
Help and exclusion: local resources
Scope varies by territory and product. A support resource is not registration in an exclusion scheme. Read the conditions on the linked website.
| Country / territory | Resource and scope |
|---|---|
| France | ANJ — Interdiction volontaire de jeuxFrench scheme. Check scope and duration before applying; it may not block unlawful services. Source accessed : |
| Great Britain | Gambling Commission — GAMSTOPMulti-operator online self-exclusion. Check land-premises schemes separately. Source accessed : |
| Spain | DGOJ — RGIAJAccess-prohibition register. Also check regional rules for activities under an autonomous community. Source accessed : |
| Germany | RP Darmstadt — OASISInformation and procedures for Germany’s OASIS system. Check covered products and application requirements. Source accessed : |
| Italy | ADM — Autoesclusione dal gioco a distanzaRemote-gambling exclusion under ADM. The FAQ explains applications; it does not establish exclusion from physical venues. Source accessed : |
| Portugal | SRIJ — Autoexclusão e proibiçãoDistinguish exclusion at one operator from centralized exclusion across licensed Portuguese online operators. Source accessed : |
| Belgium | CJH — Brochure sur l’exclusion, diffusée par l’UVCW (2024)Document explaining applications to the Belgian Gaming Commission. Dated 2024: confirm the current procedure with the Commission. Source accessed : · Document version : 2024-04-24 |
| Netherlands | Kansspelautoriteit — CruksDutch gambling-break register. Follow the public Cruks link supplied by the authority and check application scope. Source accessed : |
| Sweden | Spelinspektionen — SpelpausExclusion from registered gambling at Swedish licensees. Read duration options and logout instructions. Source accessed : |
| Denmark | Spillemyndigheden — ROFUSDanish voluntary-exclusion register. The official page explains covered categories and links to StopSpillet support. Source accessed : |
| Switzerland | CFMJ — Exclusion des jeuxCheck casino-exclusion scope. A temporary break at one online casino does not automatically apply to other casinos. Source accessed : |
| Canada | iGaming Ontario — BetGuardBetGuard covers Ontario’s regulated online market, including OLG, from May 2026. It is not a Canada-wide or land-casino exclusion. Source accessed : · Document version : 2026-05-14 |
| United States | New Jersey DGE — Self ExclusionNew Jersey example: the portal distinguishes internet gaming and physical casinos. Use the relevant authority for another state; this is not a nationwide form. Source accessed : |
| Australia | ACMA — BetStopBetStop covers Australian licensed online and telephone wagering services. Do not extend this scope to every game or physical venue. Source accessed : |
| New Zealand | DIA — Information for players and local helpDIA links to Gambling Helpline and Safer Gambling Aotearoa. These support resources are separate from the future online-casino licence register. Source accessed : |
| Ireland | GRAI — Gambling SafetyOfficial starting point for information and support. Check available services; this resource does not confirm enrolment in an exclusion register. Source accessed : |
| Norway | Lotteritilsynet — Speleproblem / HjelpelinjenThe Norwegian authority links to Hjelpelinjen for players and relatives. Seeking help and restricting an account are separate steps. Source accessed : |
| Finland | National Police Board — For playersOfficial player information and signposting to support. Distinguish support from the licensing reform scheduled for July 2027. Source accessed : |
| Austria | BMF — Spielerschutz und HilfsangeboteThe Finance Ministry lists support and links to services in the Länder. Choose the relevant regional service; this directory is not a single exclusion form. Source accessed : |
From a concern to a practical step
| Situation | First step | Useful guide |
|---|---|---|
| I want to recover a loss | Stop the session and review essential expenses | Take a gambling break that actually protects you |
| A relative asks me to fund gambling | Prepare a conversation based on observations | Helping someone who gambles: prepare a conversation and protect daily life |
| A minor uses an adult account | Restrict access and contact official support | Minors and gambling: protect access and start a conversation |
| I cannot track my spending | Choose a period and collect account flows | Calculate the real cost of a gambling session |