Gambling help by country: helplines, self-exclusion registers and support organisations
Last reviewed: 30 May 2026
Where you live changes what help looks like. Some countries run a single national register that blocks every licensed gambling site at once; others organise support region by region. The list below brings the main services together, country by country, so you can find the right helpline, register or charity quickly. Every service named here is free to contact.
United Kingdom
The UK has the most developed support network: one national online self-exclusion register (GAMSTOP), a free 24/7 helpline run by GamCare, and a statutory regulator that publishes open data on gambling harm.
Self-exclusion: GAMSTOP — one free national register for all GB-licensed online operators.
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National Gambling Helpline
HelplineOperated by GamCare
Free, confidential support 24 hours a day, every day, by phone and live chat.
0808 8020 133 Visit official site →
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GAMSTOP
Self-exclusion registerFree national scheme that blocks access to every GB-licensed online gambling site for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years.
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GamCare
CharityRuns the National Gambling Helpline, structured treatment, group support and the TalkBanStop partnership.
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GambleAware
CharityCommissions and signposts the National Gambling Support Network; its service finder locates local treatment.
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Gambling Commission
RegulatorRegulates gambling in Great Britain and publishes the open-licensed statistics used on this site.
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NHS gambling clinics
Health serviceNHS-run specialist gambling services offer assessment and treatment across England.
Germany
Germany runs a federal self-exclusion register (OASIS) that every licensed operator must check, alongside a cross-provider monitoring system (LUGAS) and a free public-health helpline.
Self-exclusion: OASIS — federal register checked by all licensed operators.
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Check dein Spiel helpline
HelplineFederal public-health body
Free, anonymous telephone counselling and an online self-test in German.
0800 1 37 27 00 Visit official site →
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OASIS
Self-exclusion registerFederal cross-operator register; a self-block lasts a minimum of three months before it can be lifted.
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LUGAS
Monitoring systemFederal system that monitors cross-provider deposit limits and prevents simultaneous play. It is a safeguard, not a helpline.
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GGL
RegulatorThe Joint Gambling Authority of the federal states (Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder).
Australia
Australia operates BetStop, a national self-exclusion register covering all licensed online and phone wagering, supported by a 24/7 national helpline.
Self-exclusion: BetStop — national register run by the regulator ACMA.
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Gambling Help Online
HelplineGovernment-funded national helpline and online counselling, available 24 hours a day.
1800 858 858 Visit official site →
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BetStop
Self-exclusion registerNational register, run by ACMA, that excludes a person from all licensed online and phone wagering providers for three months up to a lifetime.
United States
The United States has no single national self-exclusion register — schemes run at state or operator level — but a national helpline covers every state.
Self-exclusion: No national register; exclusion is state- or operator-based.
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1-800-GAMBLER
HelplineNational Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
National helpline available by call, text and chat across all US states.
1-800-GAMBLER Visit official site →
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NCPG
Non-profitOperates the national helpline and publishes US research on gambling participation and harm.
Canada
Support in Canada is organised province by province; there is no single national register, so help and self-exclusion are arranged through provincial services.
Self-exclusion: Provincial only — no national register.
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ConnexOntario
HelplineFree 24/7 health-services helpline for Ontario covering gambling, mental health and substance use.
1-866-531-2600 Visit official site →
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AGCO
RegulatorAlcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario — regulates safer-gambling requirements in the province.
Ireland
Ireland has a national helpline and a new regulator (GRAI) that is in the process of establishing a National Gambling Exclusion Register.
Self-exclusion: A national register is planned by GRAI but is not yet live.
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National Gambling Helpline (Ireland)
HelplineFree national support line for people affected by gambling in Ireland.
1800 936 725 Visit official site →
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GRAI
RegulatorGambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland — establishing a national exclusion register (not yet operational).
International
Some services support people anywhere in the world, which is useful when local options are limited or when gambling crosses borders.
Self-exclusion: No worldwide register exists — self-exclusion is always national.
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Gambling Therapy
Online supportFree, multilingual online advice and support for anyone affected by gambling, anywhere in the world.
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Gamblers Anonymous
Peer fellowshipA twelve-step fellowship with in-person, online and phone meetings worldwide.
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Gam-Anon
Peer fellowshipSupport for the family and friends of someone affected by gambling.
Not sure which step to take first?
Many people start by calling a helpline to talk things through, then set up self-exclusion and add a blocking tool so the decision sticks. If you are still weighing up whether gambling has become a problem, the warning signs and self-assessment can help you decide.