Self-exclusion as a tool against gambling addiction

It is unlikely that anyone would dispute the widely accepted fact that preventing disease is more effective than treating it. This principle applies not only to purely physiological medical conditions but also to issues at the intersection of social and psychological domains—such as gambling addiction (ludomania).

Ludomania is a disorder that can be prevented through relatively simple but systematic measures. In Europe, where the gambling market is rapidly evolving, regulators and businesses are working together to implement self-restriction mechanisms aimed at protecting players. Germany serves as a strong example of a successful model: a centralized self-exclusion system that not only functions effectively but also delivers measurable results.

According to the World Health Organization, between 1% and 3% of players are affected by gambling addiction. Preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of developing this condition. Collaborative efforts between regulators and businesses have enabled the introduction of tools such as self-exclusion registers, which empower players to take control of their gambling behavior. In Germany, this model has shown clear effectiveness: since the launch of the centralized system four years ago, over 350,000 players have opted for self-exclusion—demonstrating real demand for such tools.

Following the gambling market reform in 2021, when Germany enacted the State Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021) to introduce strict player protection standards, the centralized self-exclusion system OASIS (Online-Ausschluss-System Internet-Spielers) became a cornerstone of the country’s gambling addiction prevention strategy. OASIS is a unified register that all licensed online gambling operators are required to integrate with, ensuring complete access restrictions for users who choose to self-exclude.

How does OASIS work?

• Players determine the duration of the ban themselves - from 3 months to 10 years, and cancellation requires a psychological test.

• All organisers (online casinos, bookmakers) integrate OASIS into their platforms and offer a button for instant self-exclusion for 24 hours.

• OASIS not only blocks access, but also informs about the risks of addiction by offering links to counselling and hotlines.

  
  

It’s a simple yet powerful solution that costs significantly less than gambling addiction treatment and prevents thousands of cases each year. According to the German national regulator, Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), as of July 2025, there have been 336,980 registrations in the self-exclusion system, with the total number now exceeding 350,000.

The most commonly chosen exclusion period was 1 year, selected by 182,057 people, while only 7,459 players opted for long-term bans ranging from 5 to 10 years. Notably, the number of ban cancellations dropped from 7,404 in August 2024 to 2,821 in July 2025, indicating growing stability and consistency in players’ decisions to self-exclude.

In Ukraine, gambling addiction prevention has also become a priority, especially following the legalisation of gambling in 2020. A self-restriction mechanism exists via the Register of Problem Gamblers, maintained by the State Agency PlayCity. This registry allows players to voluntarily block their access to licensed gambling platforms.

However, according to Gennadiy Novikov, head of PlayCity, the current version of the system lacks full functionality. Key issues include the complexity of the application process and the lack of integration with all gambling operators, which undermines its effectiveness.

The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine identifies the relaunch of the Registry using the Diia.Engine platform as one of the top priorities for PlayCity. This will allow to:

• simplify the registration process - an application can be submitted online in 5 minutes;

• integrate the registry with organisers' platforms for automatic blocking;

• add flexible terms of self-restraint (similar to OASIS) and links to psychological help.

  
  

Preventing gambling addiction is not only the responsibility of the state but also a matter of corporate social responsibility. For Ukraine, the relaunch of the Register of Problem Gamblers through Diia.Engine would mark an important step toward aligning with European standards—where prevention is viewed as a long-term investment in public health.