Responsible Gambling
Self-exclusion schemes and help lines, by country
When gambling becomes a problem, there are places that help independently of any operator: state-run self-exclusion schemes and free counselling. This page lists them for the countries our readers come from, and states for every entry the date we last verified it at the source.
GamblingWins is a signpost, not a counselling service. We do not assess anyone's gambling and we do not diagnose - we name the people who can.
Worldwide
For every country without its own section on this page, and for every language we publish in: Gambling Therapy offers worldwide support, free and anonymous, in 37 languages. There is no worldwide self-exclusion scheme - an exclusion only ever applies in the country that runs it.
- Counselling and help line
Gambling Therapy (opens in a new tab)
Operated by Gordon Moody
No phone line
free of chargeanonymous37 languages
Other ways to reach them: forums, groups, email
Registered charity no. 1124751 (England and Wales)
- Sources
- gamblingtherapy.org (opens in a new tab)
Last verified at the source: September 19th, 2026
United States
The United States has no federal self-exclusion register. Self-exclusion is handled state by state and the procedure differs; the help line network, by contrast, covers all 50 states and territories. Please note: since 29 January 2026 the national number is 1-800-MY-RESET. Following a court ruling, the NCPG may no longer use the former 1-800-GAMBLER, which nevertheless still appears on many sites.
- Self-exclusion scheme
No nationwide, cross-operator register.
- Counselling and help line
National Problem Gambling Helpline (opens in a new tab)
Operated by NCPG
United States, National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738)
Still active: 1-800-522-4700
Other ways to reach them: SMS, chat
- More places
- NCPG: help by state (opens in a new tab)
- Sources
- www.ncpgambling.org (opens in a new tab)
Last verified at the source: September 19th, 2026
United Kingdom
A single GAMSTOP registration excludes you from every online operator licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.
- Self-exclusion scheme
Operated by The National Online Self Exclusion Scheme Limited
Supervised by UKGC
Registration is free
- Covers
- all licensed online operators
- Counselling and help line
National Gambling Helpline (opens in a new tab)
Operated by GamCare
United Kingdom, National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133
around the clockfree of charge
- Sources
- www.gamstop.co.uk (opens in a new tab)www.gambleaware.org (opens in a new tab)
Last verified at the source: September 19th, 2026
Spain
The RGIAJ covers every licensed online operator. The application runs through the Sede electrónica of the DGOJ and takes effect immediately. There is no national counselling number: the DGOJ points to regional associations, and jugarbien.es, the portal it used to point to, no longer resolves.
- Self-exclusion scheme
Operated by DGOJ
- Covers
- all licensed online operators
- Duration
- Indefinite, removal possible after 6 months at the earliest
- Counselling and help line
No nationwide help line.
- More places
- DGOJ: directory of regional counselling services (opens in a new tab)
- Sources
- ordenacionjuego.es (opens in a new tab)
Last verified at the source: September 19th, 2026
Germany
OASIS is nationwide and covers every operator: one exclusion applies to online casino and sports betting as well as to amusement arcades and land-based casinos. Counselling is run by BIÖG, formerly BZgA.
- Self-exclusion scheme
Operated by Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt
Supervised by GGL
Registration is free
- Covers
- online casino, sports betting, amusement arcades, land-based casinos
- Counselling and help line
Germany, BIÖG: 0800 1 37 27 00
free of charge
- Sources
- www.bioeg.de (opens in a new tab)www.check-dein-spiel.de (opens in a new tab)www.gluecksspiel-behoerde.de (opens in a new tab)
Last verified at the source: September 19th, 2026
Canada
Canada has no national register. Exclusion is handled province by province and ends at the provincial border; in Ontario the programme is called BetGuard. The three largest provincial numbers are listed here, the remaining ten are covered by the overview of the Responsible Gambling Council.
- Self-exclusion scheme
No nationwide, cross-operator register.
Ontario: BetGuard
Operated by iGaming Ontario
- Counselling and help line
No nationwide help line.
- Regional numbers
Ontario: Ontario: 1-866-531-2600 (ConnexOntario)
British Columbia: British Columbia: 1-888-795-6111
Quebec: Quebec: 1-800-461-0140
- More places
- Responsible Gambling Council: help by province (opens in a new tab)
- Sources
- responsiblegambling.org (opens in a new tab)
Last verified at the source: September 19th, 2026
Netherlands
Cruks covers every Dutch online operator, amusement arcades and Holland Casino. Registration runs through cruksregister.nl using DigiD or by post. Note: cruks.nl does not belong to the Kansspelautoriteit.
- Self-exclusion scheme
Operated by Kansspelautoriteit
- Covers
- all licensed online operators, amusement arcades, land-based casinos
- Duration
- 6 months to 99 years
- Counselling and help line
OpenOverGokken (opens in a new tab)
Netherlands, OpenOverGokken: 0800 24 000 22
around the clockfree of chargeanonymous
Other ways to reach them: WhatsApp, chat
- Sources
- openovergokken.nl (opens in a new tab)www.rijksoverheid.nl (opens in a new tab)
Last verified at the source: September 19th, 2026
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