Responsible gambling support in Malta

Gambling should remain a choice

Gambling should be treated as paid entertainment, not as a way to solve money problems, replace income or recover losses. Before depositing, decide what amount of money and time you are prepared to spend. Only use money that is available after essential costs such as housing, food, bills and debt payments.

A useful personal rule is to regard every deposit as spent entertainment money. Do not increase the amount because a session has gone badly, and do not rely on a win to meet an upcoming financial commitment. If gambling begins to feel necessary rather than optional, pause and seek support.

Responsible gambling is not only about stopping completely. It also includes noticing changes in your behaviour, keeping decisions deliberate and taking action early when gambling no longer feels manageable.

Set limits before you play

Use the account controls offered by the operator before starting a session. Where available, consider setting a deposit limit, loss limit, wager limit, time reminder or session limit. Read the confirmation carefully and keep a record of the limits you select.

Choose limits during a calm moment, rather than immediately after a loss or while chasing a result. A limit is most useful when it reflects your actual budget and is difficult to change impulsively. If the operator provides cooling-off options, they may be useful when you want a break without making a permanent decision.

The Malta Gaming Authority states that licensed operators must provide responsible-gambling tools. The available controls and the way they operate can differ between operators, so check the terms and account settings for the service you are using. If you cannot find a control, contact the operator through its recorded support channel and keep the response.

Recognise warning signs

A single concern does not prove that someone has a gambling disorder, but a pattern of changes deserves attention. Warning signs can include spending more than planned, extending a session to recover losses, hiding gambling from people close to you, borrowing money, neglecting work or home responsibilities, or feeling unable to stop after deciding to stop.

Other signs may be emotional. You might feel restless when not gambling, become preoccupied with the next opportunity, or experience guilt and stress after playing. Using gambling to escape difficult feelings can also make it harder to keep decisions within your intended limits.

Write down what happened without judging yourself: how long you played, how much you deposited, what you expected to spend and how you felt before and after. This can make a developing pattern easier to see. If the pattern concerns you, pause gambling and speak confidentially with a support service.

Take a break or self-exclude

A short break can create space to review your situation. Log out, remove saved payment details where possible, avoid promotional messages and tell a trusted person that you are taking time away. Do not open another account to continue gambling during a break.

Self-exclusion is a stronger step that prevents or restricts access for a selected period or under the arrangement offered by the operator. The Malta Gaming Authority states that licensed operators must provide self-exclusion mechanisms. Ask the operator how to activate self-exclusion, what period applies and what happens to any account balance or pending request. Keep confirmation of the request.

Do not assume that a self-exclusion request automatically applies to every operator or every gambling service. Confirm the scope directly and avoid using another account or service to bypass the restriction. If you are unsure what to request, the support services listed below can help you consider the next step.

What to do after a loss

Stop before making another deposit. A loss cannot be changed by continuing, and attempting to win it back can turn one decision into a longer and more expensive session. Move away from the gambling service, delay any further decision and contact someone you trust.

Review your available money before paying for anything else. Protect essential funds first. If gambling has affected bills, borrowing or other financial commitments, consider asking for practical financial advice from an appropriate service. Do not make a new gambling budget to cover an earlier loss.

Avoid alcohol or other situations that make impulsive decisions more likely. A simple written plan can help: stop gambling today, do not deposit again during the pause, tell one trusted person and contact confidential support if the urge continues.

Check the operator and raise a complaint

Before using an online gambling service, check the exact domain rather than relying only on a name, advertisement or search result. The Malta Gaming Authority’s domain checker displays the named current record returned for each exact-domain query. It does not replace reading the operator’s own account rules or checking whether the service you are viewing is the one recorded.

Licensed operators must provide complaint procedures, according to the Malta Gaming Authority. Start with the operator’s stated procedure and keep copies of everything you send. If the matter remains unresolved, check the applicable official route rather than relying on informal claims or unverified contact details. For more background, see licence and law and complaints and warnings.

Confidential support in Malta

The Responsible Gambling Foundation provides confidential support in Malta through the National Gambling Supportline on 1777. You can use that service to discuss concerns and consider what support may be appropriate.

Supportline 179 is Malta’s free national line, available 24/7, for immediate support and referral. If you need help now, contact 179. If there is an immediate danger to life or serious harm, use the appropriate emergency service rather than waiting for a gambling-support appointment.

You do not need to wait until a problem feels severe before asking for help. You can contact a support service to discuss your own gambling, or concerns about someone close to you. Keep the conversation private if that helps you speak openly, and follow the adviser’s guidance about suitable referral options.

Make a simple personal plan

A written plan is easier to follow than a promise made during a difficult moment. Record the amount you will not use for gambling, the warning signs that mean you must stop, the person you will contact and the support number you will use. Put the plan somewhere accessible.

If you decide to continue gambling after reviewing your position, use only the limits you chose in advance and stop when a limit is reached. Never treat a limit as a target to spend. If you cannot keep to the plan, take a longer break or request self-exclusion instead.

Responsible gambling information cannot remove every risk. It can, however, help you recognise concerns earlier and choose a practical next step. You can also find urgent help if you need support immediately.

mga.org.mt · rgf.org.mt · fsws.gov.mt · mgaurlchecker.mga.org.mt

Frequently asked questions