If gambling feels difficult to control, act on the immediate problem first. You do not need to settle every financial, account or complaint issue at once. Create distance from gambling, protect essential money and contact appropriate support.
If there is immediate danger, a medical emergency, or a risk of harm to yourself or another person, contact the emergency services now. Gambling support services are not a substitute for emergency care.
What to do in the next ten minutes
Stop the current gambling session and move away from the device. Close gambling applications and browser tabs, then put the phone, tablet or computer somewhere less accessible. If possible, ask a trusted person to stay with you while the immediate urge passes.
Do not try to recover losses with another deposit or bet. Chasing a loss can increase both the financial damage and the pressure to continue. Avoid alcohol or other substances that may make decisions harder.
Use the quickest available barriers. Sign out of gambling accounts, remove saved payment details and uninstall gambling applications. These steps are not permanent solutions, but they can create enough time to choose a stronger restriction.
A practical order of action
The most useful action depends on what is happening now. Use the table as a short decision guide rather than trying to complete everything at once.
| Situation now | First action | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| You are about to deposit or bet | Leave the account and put the device away | Ask a trusted person to stay with you |
| You keep returning to licensed online bookmakers | Use the national self-exclusion access point | Add device and payment barriers |
| Essential money is at risk | Separate money needed for food, housing, bills and transport | Contact the bank or payment provider about available controls |
| You need confidential support | Contact an official gambling support helpline | Confirm the current audience and service hours before relying on availability |
| An account or withdrawal dispute is driving further gambling | Stop depositing and preserve the records | Follow the complaints route separately |
| There is immediate danger or risk of harm | Contact emergency services | Stay with another person and move away from gambling access |
Use national self-exclusion
The National Self-Exclusion Platform at exclusion.cy is the national self-exclusion access point for licensed online bookmakers. It can be relevant when access to those services needs to be restricted rather than managed through willpower alone.
Self-exclusion should be treated as a protective barrier, not as proof that every possible gambling route has been blocked. Its recorded scope is licensed online bookmakers. Do not assume that it covers unlicensed services, retail premises, overseas websites, social casino products or every form of gambling.
Follow the instructions shown by the official platform and read its current terms before completing the process. Keep any confirmation that is provided. If you later encounter access that appears inconsistent with the exclusion, record the date, the exact internet address and what happened without placing another bet.
Contact official support
Cyprus safer-gambling programmes list helplines 1454 and 1456. The official help and support programmes listing identifies the intended audiences and service hours for each line. Check that listing for the current details before choosing the most appropriate number.
You do not need a polished explanation before calling. A simple opening is enough: “I am struggling to stop gambling and need help with my next step.” You can also say whether money for essentials is at risk, whether another person is affected, and whether you have already tried self-exclusion.
Service availability should not be assumed outside the published hours. If support is not available and the situation is urgent, stay with someone you trust, remove access to money and devices, and use emergency services where there is immediate danger.
Protect money needed for essentials
Prioritise housing, electricity, food, medicine and transport. Move essential funds away from an account or payment method used for gambling where that can be done safely and lawfully. Ask your bank or payment provider what controls it currently offers; available tools differ, so do not assume that a particular block exists.
Remove stored card details from gambling accounts and digital wallets. Disable quick deposit features where possible. Do not borrow to gamble, use cash advances, or take new credit in an attempt to recover losses.
If a trusted person is helping, agree clearly what they may and may not do. Do not share passwords, security codes or identity documents casually. Support with budgeting does not require giving another person unrestricted control of your accounts.
For a structured look at transaction records and payment risks, use the payment checks guide. Financial protection can continue alongside self-exclusion and counselling support.
Reduce access on devices and accounts
Delete gambling applications, clear saved bookmarks and turn off promotional notifications. Unsubscribe from marketing messages where controls are available. Device-level blocking tools may add friction, but their coverage and effectiveness vary. They should complement self-exclusion rather than replace it.
Change routines linked to gambling. If betting usually happens late at night, charge the phone outside the bedroom. If it happens after payday, arrange essential payments first and avoid being alone with unrestricted payment access during that period.
Account closure and self-exclusion are not necessarily the same measure. Read the available options carefully and choose the stronger restriction when the aim is to stop gambling. Do not reopen another account to test whether a restriction works.
Keep complaints separate from gambling urges
A delayed withdrawal, disputed transaction or account restriction can create a strong urge to deposit again. Further gambling does not resolve a complaint and can make the record harder to understand. Stop depositing while the issue is examined.
Preserve account statements, transaction references, messages, dates and the exact internet address involved. Do not alter screenshots or combine separate events into one account. Keep a short chronology that distinguishes what you observed from what the gambling business stated.
The National Betting Authority’s Class B register lists operators, internet addresses, licence numbers, status and duration. Check the exact internet address against the current register rather than relying on a name, familiar design or brand mark. A brand mark alone does not establish licensing or safety.
Use the complaints and scam warnings guide for record-keeping and escalation steps. A complaint process is separate from immediate help for controlling gambling.
Help someone else without taking over
Speak calmly and focus on the next practical action. Avoid demanding a complete account of losses during a crisis. Ask whether essential money is safe, whether gambling access is still open and whether the person is willing to contact official support.
Offer to sit with them while they use self-exclusion or call a helpline. With their agreement, help remove applications, organise records or make a plan for the next few hours. Do not place bets, manage a gambling account, impersonate them or contact a provider as though you were the account holder.
Protect your own finances as well. Do not lend money to cover gambling losses without understanding the risk, and do not make promises you cannot maintain. The responsible gambling guide provides further prevention and support information.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I self-exclude from licensed online bookmakers in Cyprus?
The National Self-Exclusion Platform at exclusion.cy is the national self-exclusion access point for licensed online bookmakers. Follow the official platform instructions and read its current terms. Its recorded scope should not be assumed to include every gambling service.
Which gambling support helplines are listed in Cyprus?
Official safer-gambling programmes list 1454 and 1456. Check the official programmes listing for the intended audience and current service hours of each helpline before relying on availability.
What should I do if I am about to deposit again?
Leave the gambling account, put the device away and contact someone you trust. Remove saved payment details and protect money needed for essentials. Do not make another deposit to try to recover a loss.
Does self-exclusion block every gambling service?
The supplied official record describes the national platform as an access point for self-exclusion from licensed online bookmakers. Do not assume that it covers unlicensed services, retail locations, overseas websites or every gambling product.
How can I check whether an internet address is on the Class B register?
Use the National Betting Authority’s current Class B register and compare the exact internet address. The register lists operators, internet addresses, licence numbers, status and duration. A name, design or brand mark is not enough on its own.