Gambling Addiction Help and Support in Poland

Helplines for gambling problems

Source: National Centre for Prevention of Addictions (KCPU), Ministry of Health, Government of Poland — checked 29 September 2026.

Find treatment near you

The National Centre for Prevention of Addictions (Krajowe Centrum Przeciwdziałania Uzależnieniom, KCPU) publishes an interactive map of treatment and support centres. Use it to find services near where you live, then contact them to ask about appointments, costs and languages.

Signs that gambling is becoming a problem

Gambling problems often develop slowly. Common warning signs include:

• spending more money or time on gambling than you planned or can afford;
• gambling to win back money you have lost;
• borrowing money, or selling things, to gamble or to cover losses;
• hiding your gambling from family or friends;
• neglecting work, study, family or bills because of gambling;
• feeling restless, irritable or low when you try to cut down.

If you recognise some of these signs, you do not have to wait until things get worse to ask for help.

Practical steps you can take today

• Talk to someone you trust, or call one of the helplines above.
• Pay essential bills first, and gamble, if at all, only with money you can afford to lose.
• Set limits on time and money, and use the limit tools that legal gambling websites must provide.
• Never borrow money to gamble.
• Consider blocking gambling websites on your phone and computer.
• Stay away from unlicensed websites, which often have no protection tools at all.

Protection tools at legal gambling websites

Every legal online gambling operator in Poland must follow responsible gambling rules approved by the Ministry of Finance (Gambling Act, art. 15i). They must:

• verify that players are 18 or over and require registration on a player account;
• give players tools to control their activity on the website;
• stop players from playing once the money in their account runs out;
• show information about gambling risks and the names of organisations that help people with gambling problems, with links to them.

The Gambling Act does not create a single national self-exclusion register. Tools such as limits are provided by each legal operator under its own approved rules. The Ministry of Finance warns that illegal gambling websites often lack these protections, including the option to exclude yourself.

If someone close to you gambles

Gambling problems affect families too. Call one of the helplines above and ask how they can support you as a family member, or where to find help near you. Children and young people can call the free helpline 116 111, open 24 hours a day.

Support in your language

These services are based in Poland and work mainly in Polish. None of the official sources we checked promises an English-language service. Ask at the start of your call whether someone can speak English, or whether the service can suggest one that does.

Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over. If you choose to gamble, set a budget, never chase losses and stop if it causes you worry or harm.