Gambling should always be a form of entertainment, never a source of income or an emotional escape. This page gathers the tools available, a self-assessment test and official help resources in Spain.
LuckyGem promotes an operator that runs under an offshore Costa Rica licence and does not hold a licence from Spain's Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ). This means self-exclusion tools are not connected to Spain's national self-exclusion register (RGIAJ), and the legal protection available to the player is different (generally lower) than with a Spanish-licensed operator. Keep this context in mind when setting any limit or self-exclusion.
Setting these limits before making your first deposit, rather than after you've started playing, is the most effective way to make them useful: a limit set during a calm moment is far harder to talk yourself out of than one improvised mid-session.
Answer honestly. If you answer "yes" to three or more questions, it's worth seeking professional guidance:
| Resource | Contact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gambling Help Line (DGOJ) | 900 200 225 | Free, confidential line, available 24 hours. |
| Jugar Bien portal | jugarbien.es | Official DGOJ information on responsible gambling. |
| RGIAJ | sede.ordenacionjuego.gob.es | National self-exclusion register (only applicable to Spanish-licensed operators). |
| FEJAR | Spanish Federation of Rehabilitated Gamblers | Support and help groups for affected individuals and their families. |
| Gambling Therapy | gamblingtherapy.org | Confidential support chat in several languages, available internationally. |
Access to LuckyGem and to any operator promoted here is strictly prohibited for anyone under 18. We recommend installing parental control software (such as Qustodio or your operating system's native controls) on any device shared with minors to block access to gambling and betting sites. Serious operators verify age during the KYC process, but that check happens after registration, so device-level prevention remains the first line of defence.
The impact of problem gambling isn't limited to the person gambling: family and close friends may also need guidance. FEJAR and Gambling Therapy offer resources specifically for family members, including support groups and guidance on approaching the conversation without triggering a confrontation that makes things worse.
Progressively increasing the time or money spent gambling, hiding bank statements or bills, feeling anxious when unable to play, or prioritising gambling over work, academic or family obligations are signs worth taking seriously. Other signs include repeatedly borrowing money without a clear explanation, selling personal belongings, or showing sharp mood swings tied to a session's wins or losses. Seeking help early significantly eases recovery and reduces the accumulated financial and emotional impact.
Self-exclusion can be requested by contacting the operator's support team from the account panel, specifying the desired period (24 hours, 7 days, 30 days, or an indefinite period). During self-exclusion, the account is blocked from depositing and playing, though withdrawing any balance available at the time of the request is usually still possible under the operator's policy. We recommend requesting self-exclusion in writing (email or chat with a saved transcript) to keep a record of the date and agreed period.
Recreational gambling is defined by a pre-set budget and time limit, no impact on daily obligations, and the ability to stop without significant distress. Problem gambling, by contrast, is marked by a progressive loss of control over time or money spent, the need to hide the activity from people close to you, and using gambling as an emotional escape mechanism. Recognising this line early (before serious financial consequences appear) makes recovery considerably easier.
While every personal situation differs, a sound practice is to avoid dedicating more than a small percentage of disposable income (after essential expenses) to gambling, and to review monthly whether that limit is still sustainable. Setting the account's deposit limit below that figure, rather than relying on willpower alone, substantially reduces the risk of impulsive spending.
Beyond Spanish resources, international organisations such as Gamblers Anonymous run in-person and online support groups in several languages, useful especially for those who prefer a peer-group format over individual phone or chat support.
Every personal situation is different, but a sound starting point is to review, on a regular basis, whether your current gambling spend still fits comfortably within disposable income after essential costs are covered. Reassessing that figure monthly, and lowering your account's deposit limit accordingly rather than relying purely on willpower in the moment, meaningfully reduces the risk of impulsive spending creeping upward over time.
This page is for informational purposes only and doesn't replace diagnosis or treatment by a mental health professional.
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