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Free helpline 800 000 000
An honest look, in private

I want to find out whether I have a problem

Wondering whether your play is still entertainment? This page walks you through the signs of risky gambling, an anonymous self-test and the first practical steps — at your own pace.

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What is risky gambling?

Risky gambling is play that starts to interfere with money, time, relationships or mood. It develops gradually, which is why an honest early check matters more than any single big loss.

  • Playing with money needed for essential expenses, or borrowing to play
  • Returning to win back losses
  • Hiding the extent of play from people close to you
  • Restlessness or irritability when trying to cut down
  • Playing to escape stress, worries or low mood

How can I test myself — questionnaire

Answer the questions honestly for the last twelve months. The test is anonymous; nothing is stored or transmitted, and the result is guidance, not a diagnosis.

  1. Have you bet more than you could really afford to lose?
  2. Have you needed to play with larger amounts to feel the same excitement?
  3. Have you gone back another day to try to win back money you lost?
  4. Have you felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble?
  5. Has your gambling caused financial problems for you or your household?

Two or more "yes" answers are a reason to talk to a professional. The helpline 800 000 000 is free and anonymous.

How can I help myself?

  • Set a deposit limit and a time limit today — how limits work.
  • Use the panic button the moment play feels out of control.
  • Consider the national self-exclusion register for a longer break.
  • Keep a spending diary for one month and review it honestly.
  • Talk to someone you trust, or to a counsellor on the helpline first.

Help map

Professional, confidential help is available in every region — from outpatient counselling to debt advice. The first consultation is usually free and without referral.

Find services in your region → All support options

Players' stories

Real experiences, shared anonymously with consent. Details are changed to protect identity.

"The spending diary was the turning point. Seeing one month in numbers told me what I had been explaining away for a year. I set limits the same evening and called the helpline a week later."

— [Name placeholder], [age placeholder]

"I thought self-exclusion was an admission of failure. It turned out to be the first calm year I had in a long time — and counselling helped me understand what the play was covering up."

— [Name placeholder], [age placeholder]