A break, support and limits
Spelpaus and Stödlinjen: self-exclusion, exclusion periods and your own limits
Spelpaus is the Swedish register for self-exclusion from gambling. Here is how to register, which exclusion periods exist, where you can talk to somebody and which limits you can set yourself.
Spelpaus is Spelinspektionen's service for anyone who wants to take a break from gambling. You register yourself, it costs nothing, and the exclusion lasts for the time you choose. This page describes how the register works and where to find support.
You do not have to be certain that you have a problem in order to take a break. If play takes more time or money than you want it to, or if you notice yourself thinking about it when you should be doing something else, that is reason enough to stop and talk to somebody.
What Spelpaus is
Spelpaus is a register kept by Spelinspektionen. By registering, you exclude yourself from the gambling that requires registration with an operator, for a fixed period or indefinitely. The service for players sits at spelpaus.se, and registering is free.
An exclusion chosen as indefinite cannot be lifted until twelve months have passed. That is a protective rule: a break that could be undone the same evening would not give the rest it exists for.
How to register
- Go to spelpaus.se.
- Follow the instructions on the page to identify yourself.
- Choose how long the exclusion should last.
- Confirm the registration.
The exclusion takes effect once the registration has been made. Choose a period that feels reasonable to you today; you can always register again when it ends. Write down why you are registering and keep the note. As the period nears its end it can help you think through whether you want to extend.
The exclusion periods
Spelpaus offers five lengths, according to the details at spelpaus.se read on 1 September 2026:
- ten days
- one month
- three months
- six months
- indefinite, which means at least twelve months
An exclusion that has begun is not ended early. That holds for every length, not only the indefinite one.
How do you choose? A short break can be a way of seeing how it feels not to play at all for a while. If you notice that thoughts of play do not let go, or that you want to play in order to win losses back, a longer period can bring more peace. There is no wrong choice — what matters is that the break is your own.
What the exclusion covers
The exclusion covers the gambling that requires registration with an operator, and it takes effect with the holders of a Swedish licence. There are two options for the time it runs: a fixed period or indefinitely. We add nothing beyond that.
What the operators in our ranking write about their own accounts, and what it means for a break you take on your own, is gathered in the guide to foreign operators.
Stödlinjen: talking to somebody
If you want to talk to somebody you can call Stödlinjen on 020–81 91 00. The call is free and anonymous, and no identification is required. Stödlinjen gives support, not advice about gambling.
You can get help in Swedish, English and Arabic, and in more than a hundred other languages through an interpreter. The telephone hours, read at stodlinjen.se on 1 September 2026, apply on weekdays other than public holidays:
- Mondays 9–19
- Tuesdays 9–17
- Wednesdays 9–17
- Thursdays 11–19, with Arabic between 13 and 19
- Fridays 9–15
Stödlinjen is run by Stockholms läns sjukvårdsområde, and Folkhälsomyndigheten supports the work. The service is therefore run publicly.
When a bonus makes it harder to stop
Wagering requirements are built so that you play for more than the deposit. A requirement of 30 times a bonus means stakes of thirty times the amount, and that can make a planned evening much longer. Work the requirement out before you say yes, and say no if the sum lies above your budget. How the requirements work is explained in the walkthrough of wagering requirements.
Three simple rules help many people:
- Decide on a finishing time before you log in.
- Never take a bonus in order to win a loss back.
- Wait at least a day after a large loss before you play again.
Limits you can set yourself
Spelpaus is one tool among several. Many people want to try their own limits first, and that can be a good step — but switch to a break if the limits do not hold.
- A budget. Decide on an amount per month you can afford to lose, and see it as the cost of entertainment.
- A deposit limit. Many gaming accounts have settings for how much you can deposit per day, week or month. Look under account settings or ask support.
- A time limit. Decide in advance how long you play and set an alarm on your phone.
- A pause on the account. Many sites have a function for closing the account for a period. The terms often describe it under responsible play.
- Separate money. Keep gambling money apart from money for rent, food and bills.
- No credit. Never play with borrowed money.
Write the limits down. It is easier to hold to a decision you framed while you were calm than to one you make in the middle of play.
Warning signs worth taking seriously
- You play in order to win back what you have lost.
- You play longer or for more money than you had decided.
- You hide your play from people close to you.
- You borrow money or put off bills in order to play.
- You become restless or irritable when you are not playing.
- Sleep, work or relationships are affected.
If you recognise any of this it is good reason to call Stödlinjen or to register at spelpaus.se. You do not have to recognise all of the points.
If somebody close to you plays
It can be hard to raise the subject with somebody you care about. Choose a calm moment, describe what you have seen rather than accusing, and ask how the person experiences it themselves. Mention Stödlinjen, and that a break can be registered by the person alone.
It is common for family members to feel guilt or anger. Both are understandable reactions, and you do not have to solve the situation on your own. Set limits for your own sake too, such as not lending money. You can call Stödlinjen yourself to talk about how you are handling the situation.
About this site
We run no casino and never take money or stakes from readers. You have to be 18 to gamble. How the desk works is described under our method. The addresses of the sources are in the list of official sources.