Slovakia's Self-Exclusion Registry Hits 20,000 Users

Slovakia's gambling self-exclusion registry has crossed a significant milestone, with more than 20,000 people now registered to voluntarily ban themselves from gambling activities. The Register of Excluded Persons (RVO) recorded its highest participation levels since launching in 2019.

Growing Self-Exclusion Participation

According to data released on June 16, 2025, the registry added 513 new self-exclusions in May alone, while 186 people requested removal from the system. By the end of May 2025, the total number of registered self-excluded gamblers reached 20,544 individuals.

The growth trajectory demonstrates substantial public uptake of the self-exclusion mechanism. When compared to May 2020 — more than one year after the registry's launch — only 5,871 people had voluntarily excluded themselves from gambling activities.

The Register of Excluded Persons and self-exclusion institute launched in 2019 as a cornerstone tool for responsible gambling in Slovakia. The system provides individuals concerned about gambling's negative impact on their lives with a straightforward and effective protection mechanism for themselves and their families.

“Crossing the twenty-thousand self-exclusion threshold confirms the functionality and justification of this key regulatory tool. For the office, this signals that citizens perceive self-exclusion as an accessible and effective form of prevention. Our goal is to create and maintain a safe and transparent environment in the gambling market. Data from the Register of Excluded Persons serves as valuable input for further setting responsible gaming principles and targeted public education about potential gambling risks.”

— Jana Mravíková, General Director of the Office for Regulation of Gambling Games

Originally in Slovak

Registration Process and Requirements

Any individual over 18 years can request self-exclusion, which bars them from participating in online gambling and prohibits entry to gaming rooms, casinos, and betting offices for a minimum six-month period.

Players seeking to restrict their gambling access need only download and complete the application form — "Request for Registration in the Register of Excluded Persons" — available on the Office for Regulation of Gambling Games website at www.urhh.sk. The application requires an officially verified signature and can be submitted by mail or in person to the regulatory office.

Electronic submissions must include a qualified electronic signature from the applicant. The office accepts applications at Križkova 949/9, 811 04 Bratislava, with telephone support available at +421 2 48 21 18 23.

Support Services Available

Citizens can obtain detailed information about registration procedures and registry removal through multiple channels. The RVO information line operates at 0800 127 000 on weekdays from 9:00 to 14:00. For international callers, the number becomes +421 800 127 000. Email inquiries are handled at [email protected].

Beyond self-exclusion support, Slovakia maintains a specialized gambling problem helpline at 0800 131 000. This service operates 24 hours daily, seven days a week, providing nonstop assistance. International callers can reach the helpline at +421 587 875 800 (paid service).

The gambling problem helpline is managed by the Specialized Psychiatric Treatment Institute Predná Hora, located at Muránska Huta, časť Predná Hora č. 126, 049 01 Muráň. This facility specializes in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of substance and behavioral addictions.

The regulatory office last updated this information on February 24, 2026, reflecting ongoing commitment to maintaining current support resources.

Implications for Problem Gambling Prevention

The registry's growth signals evolving public awareness about gambling risks and available intervention tools. The four-fold increase from 2020 to 2025 suggests that self-exclusion mechanisms are gaining recognition as practical harm-reduction measures rather than stigmatized last resorts.

This trend may influence regulatory approaches across Central Europe, where gambling liberalization continues alongside concerns about problem gambling rates. Slovakia's experience demonstrates that accessible self-exclusion systems can achieve meaningful participation when properly promoted and operationally streamlined.

According to URHH.