Self-Exclusion and Support for Gambling in Portugal: SRIJ, ICAD and Linha 1414

SRIJ provides an online self-exclusion system that allows players, and people who are not currently registered with an operator, to request exclusion from online gambling. There are two main options: self-exclusion for a determined period, with a minimum duration of three months, or self-exclusion for an indefinite period. A request made through the SRIJ self-exclusion platform applies to all licensed online gambling and betting websites in Portugal. By contrast, a self-exclusion requested directly through an individual licensed operator applies only to that operator's website.

For a determined period, self-exclusion starts once the request has been formally completed and ends automatically when the period specified in the request expires. The minimum period is three months. If no period is specified, the self-exclusion remains in force indefinitely. SRIJ also states that a player may communicate the end of an indefinite exclusion, or request its anticipation where a period was fixed, but that communication only becomes effective one month later and does not override the minimum three-month duration.

Linha 1414 is a separate support service provided by the Instituto para os Comportamentos Aditivos e as Dependências (ICAD). It offers anonymous, free and confidential psychological counselling, information and referral concerning addictive behaviours and dependencies, including gambling. SRIJ and ICAD explicitly state that Linha 1414 should not be used to request online gambling self-exclusion or a prohibition from entering casino gaming rooms. Those requests should be made through SRIJ or the relevant licensed operator. Linha 1414 should also not be used for gambling transaction information or complaints about operators; those matters should be directed to the relevant operator or concessionaire.

Linha 1414 is intended for people experiencing addictive behaviours or who may be at risk of developing them, including gambling-related problems. Family members, friends, partners, healthcare and education professionals, and others seeking information can also use the service. ICAD currently states that Linha 1414 operates on weekdays from 10:00 to 18:00 and also provides an email service at 1414@icad.min-saude.pt. The service provides counselling, information and referral rather than directly booking consultations with the treatment network.

SRIJ states that licensed online gambling operators must provide mechanisms that allow players to control or suspend their gambling activity. These include self-exclusion, deposit limits, betting limits and game or betting time-control mechanisms where applicable. Deposit and betting limits can each be set for at least daily, weekly or monthly periods. Limits established on an individual operator website apply only to activity on that website, unlike a self-exclusion made through the SRIJ national platform, which applies across all licensed online gambling websites in Portugal.

ICAD also provides a public registration module for people who identify problematic behaviour involving gambling or other addictive behaviours. The online service can create a pre-registration with a specialised support team of the person's choice and supports an assessment of the severity of the situation. ICAD also provides information about specialised support structures through its national network. Seeking information or support does not require someone to have already decided on a particular treatment option.