Responsible Gambling
Gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. If you play at online casinos, the money you stake should be an amount you can afford to lose, much like the cost of a night out. The fun is in the play itself, not in chasing back what you have already lost. This page covers how to set limits, spot the warning signs, and find help in the United States if playing stops being fun.
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Setting limits on your play
Most online operators let you set personal limits, and this is the easiest way to keep your time and money under control. Three types are worth knowing about:
- Deposit limits cap how much you can pay in over a day, week or month. Base the figure on your budget, not on what you hope to win.
- Loss limits put a ceiling on how much you can lose in a set period. Once you reach it, play stops automatically.
- Time limits control how long a session runs. It is easy to lose track of time on screen, so a reminder or cut-off helps.
Set your limits when you are calm, not in the middle of a session. If you keep pushing against a limit, treat that as a signal to lower it. A reduction applies right away, while raising a limit only takes effect after a waiting period.
Warning signs of a gambling problem
Problems with gambling often build up slowly. Take it seriously if any of these sound familiar:
- You bet more to win back money you have already lost.
- You play with money you cannot really spare.
- You borrow money, or sell things, so you can keep playing.
- You hide how much you play from family and friends.
- You gamble to escape stress, worry or difficult feelings.
- You cannot stop even when you have decided to.
If several apply to you, do not wait. Acting early makes it far easier to turn things around.
Take a break or self-exclude
Sometimes the best move is to step away for a while. Most sites give you tools for that:
- Cool-off: you lock your account for a short spell, such as 24 hours or a few weeks.
- Self-exclusion: you shut yourself out of a site for longer, often six months or more.
In the United States, gambling is regulated state by state, and each state that licenses online casino play runs its own self-exclusion program. New Jersey manages it through the Division of Gaming Enforcement, Pennsylvania through the Gaming Control Board, and Michigan keeps a Disassociated Persons List. It usually covers every operator licensed in that state, and you can often choose a term of one year, five years or life.
Where to get help in the US
If you feel you are losing control, free and confidential help is available 24/7:
- The National Problem Gambling Helpline, run by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), answers calls and texts on 1-800-522-4700. It is free, confidential and open 24/7, and it points you toward services in your own state. You can also use the NCPG helpline’s newer number, 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), text 800GAM, or chat online at ncpgambling.org.
- 1-800-GAMBLER, now run by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, is another widely publicized help line.
- Gamblers Anonymous holds free peer-support meetings nationwide, in person and online.
The practical rules depend on where you live. Only a handful of states currently license real-money online casinos, each with its own regulator, and the minimum age for casino gambling is usually 21, though some states set it at 18 for certain games. Offshore casinos that accept US players sit in a legal gray area and are not part of any state self-exclusion program, so their responsible-gambling tools vary from site to site. Check what limits and self-exclusion options a site offers before you open an account. Read more about us and the sites we list on our homepage.
The most important thing to remember is that help is out there, and it costs nothing. If you are worried about your own gambling or someone else’s, call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline on 1-800-522-4700. Asking for help is a sign of strength, and often the first step back toward being in control.
Where can I get help for a gambling problem in the US?
Call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline on 1-800-522-4700, run by the National Council on Problem Gambling. It is free, confidential and open 24/7, and it points you to services in your own state. You can also use the helpline's newer number, 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), text 800GAM, or chat online at ncpgambling.org.
How old do you have to be to gamble online in the US?
The minimum age for casino gambling is usually 21, though some states set it at 18 for products such as the lottery or bingo. Licensed operators verify your age and identity before you can deposit or play for real money.
How do I self-exclude from online casinos in the US?
Each state that licenses online casino play runs its own self-exclusion program, such as New Jersey's through the Division of Gaming Enforcement or Pennsylvania's through the Gaming Control Board. Adding your name usually covers every licensed operator in that state, and you can often choose a term of one year, five years or life. Individual sites also offer their own cool-off and self-exclusion settings.
Are online casinos legal everywhere in the US?
No. Online gambling is regulated state by state, and only a handful of states currently license real-money online casinos. Offshore sites that accept US players operate in a legal gray area and are not part of any state self-exclusion program, so check what responsible-gambling tools they provide before signing up.
