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Slovakia's problem gambling help line handled 2,866 calls in 2025, with most callers seeking information about self-exclusion registries and treatment options.
Mar 21, 2026 · 6 min read
Slovakia's gambling regulator has recorded significant uptake for its reformed problem gambling help line, which processed 2,866 calls during its first full year of operation under new management.
The Úrad pre reguláciu hazardných hier (ÚRHH) collaborated with the Odborný liečebný ústav psychiatrický (OLÚP), n.o. Predná Hora and representatives from the Inštitút pre reguláciu hazardných hier (IPRHH) to review the help line's performance this week in Predná Hora on March 12, 2026.
The help line underwent fundamental restructuring one year ago, with operations transferred to OLÚP, n.o. Predná Hora – a specialized healthcare institution focused on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of substance and behavioral addictions.
"Our ambition is for the help line to be not just a crisis contact, but part of a comprehensive system from prevention through early intervention to professional treatment and follow-up support."
— Libuša Baranová, General Director, Úrad pre reguláciu hazardných hier
The service provides callers with confidential professional assessment and emotional support from specialists with extensive experience addressing gambling addiction challenges.
The help line represents a multi-stakeholder approach involving regulatory authorities, healthcare specialists, and licensed operators.
"This project is a good example of how cooperation between the state, professional community and legal gambling operators can work."
— Dávid Lenčéš, Executive Director, Inštitút pre reguláciu hazardných hier
Licensed operator Tipsport SK contributes to the initiative's funding alongside public resources.
"Supporting projects like the help line is a natural part of our social responsibility, and it is in all our interests that professional and accessible help exists for players who need it, as well as for their families."
— Martin Tabák, General Director, Tipsport SK
Between February 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025, the help line handled 2,866 total calls, with 1,124 calls evaluated through structured assessment forms. Most calls lasted under five minutes, though crisis intervention calls extended beyond 20 minutes when necessary.
The service attracted primarily problem gamblers themselves, who represented 78.6% of callers, followed by relatives (17.6%) and acquaintances (3.8%). Male callers comprised nearly 78% of all contacts.
Call motivations broke down as follows:
"The project is not just an isolated activity, but a functional part of a comprehensive system, from prevention through early intervention to professional treatment. The help line plays an important role in this chain in reducing social risks associated with gambling."
— Vladimír Stanislav, Director, OLÚP, n.o. Predná Hora
2,866
Total calls processed in first year
1,124
Calls evaluated through structured assessment
78.6%
Calls from problem gamblers themselves
17.6%
Calls from relatives
78%
Male callers
41%
Registry of Excluded Persons inquiries
21%
Treatment option information requests
12%
Crisis intervention calls
The help line guarantees anonymity and professional standards, with counseling tailored to individual client needs according to deputy director Peter Knapík.
"The line guarantees anonymity, guarantees expertise and professionalism, with counseling provided based on detecting individual client needs."
— Peter Knapík, Deputy Director for Psychotherapeutic Care, OLÚP, n.o. Predná Hora
From February 1, 2026, the service expanded to continuous 24/7 operation via the free number 0800 131 000. International callers can access the service through +421 587 875 800 on a paid basis.
Service Access Information
Slovakia's problem gambling helpline operates 24/7 through free number 0800 131 000 for domestic callers. International access is available via +421 587 875 800 on a paid basis. The service guarantees complete anonymity and professional counseling tailored to individual client needs.
The help line team plans to broaden service channels beyond telephone contact, reflecting similar initiatives across European jurisdictions where Dutch gambling stigma hinders help-seeking for addiction has prompted innovative outreach approaches.
"In the foreseeable future, we plan to expand our services to include chat and email counseling to increase the detection of at-risk individuals and further destigmatize help."
— Veronika Andrášiová, Head of Help Line
Slovakia operates a separate RVO information line at 0800 127 000, available Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 14:00 for registry-specific inquiries. Outside operating hours, the registry can be contacted via email at [email protected].
The help line maintains funding through combined public resources, support from the Institute for Gambling Regulation, and contributions from responsible operators in the Slovak market.
The enhanced help line represents Slovakia's commitment to embedding harm reduction within its regulated gambling framework. By positioning specialized healthcare providers as service operators rather than regulatory staff, the system aims to provide clinical-grade intervention capabilities.
This model reflects growing European emphasis on medical approaches to problem gambling, moving beyond traditional regulatory enforcement toward therapeutic intervention. The integration of self-exclusion registry support with crisis counseling creates a comprehensive pathway for at-risk individuals seeking immediate assistance or long-term treatment options. For Slovak operators, the help line's performance data provides valuable insights into player protection needs, with registry inquiries representing the dominant contact reason. This suggests significant demand for self-exclusion tools and highlights the importance of clear communication about available protection mechanisms.
Industry Implementation Insight
Slovakia's model demonstrates the effectiveness of transferring helpline operations to specialized healthcare institutions rather than regulatory staff. This approach provides clinical-grade intervention capabilities while maintaining regulatory oversight, creating a blueprint for other jurisdictions seeking to enhance their responsible gambling frameworks.
The helpline is operated by OLÚP, n.o. Predná Hora, a specialized healthcare institution focused on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of substance and behavioral addictions. This represents a shift from regulatory staff to clinical professionals providing the service.
The primary contact reasons are Registry of Excluded Persons inquiries (41%), treatment option information (21%), and crisis intervention support (12%). Most callers are problem gamblers themselves (78.6%) rather than family members or friends.
Funding comes from combined public resources, support from the Institute for Gambling Regulation, and contributions from responsible operators like Tipsport SK. Future plans include expanding to chat and email counseling to increase detection of at-risk individuals.
According to Slovak Gambling Authority (ÚRHH).
Legal Disclaimer
This content reflects a general overview of regulatory frameworks based on publicly available information. It does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion. iGamingWriter.blog disclaims any liability arising from reliance on this material.
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