Responsible Gambling: Stay in Control & Get Help

Problem gambling can build quietly. It's not about how much you bet — it's about the control you've lost over it. Ask yourself, honestly, whether any of these fit:

• You're betting more than you can afford to lose, or chasing losses to "win it back".
• You've borrowed money, sold things, or fallen behind on bills to keep gambling.
• You lie to family or friends about how much you gamble.
• You gamble to escape stress, boredom, anxiety or low mood.
• You've tried to cut back or stop and couldn't.
• Gambling is crowding out work, sleep, relationships or things you used to enjoy.
• You feel restless or irritable when you try not to gamble.
• You get a rush from bigger and bigger stakes to feel the same excitement.

If several of these ring true, that's worth taking seriously. A free, confidential screening is available at ncpgambling.org, and 1-800-GAMBLER can talk it through with you — no judgement, no pressure.

The single most effective habit is deciding your limits before you deposit, when you're thinking clearly — not mid-session. A few rules that work:

• Only gamble money you can afford to lose entirely. Never money set aside for rent, bills, food or debt.
• Set a deposit limit — a fixed amount per day, week or month — and stick to it.
• Set a loss limit and a time limit. When you hit either, stop for the day. Walking away at a set point is a skill, not a failure.
• Never chase losses. The urge to win it back is exactly how a bad session becomes a serious problem.
• Don't gamble while drinking, upset, or trying to escape. Decisions made in that state cost the most.
• Take regular breaks and keep gambling to a small slice of your entertainment, not the centre of it.

Most reputable operators let you set deposit limits, loss limits, session-time reminders and "cool-off" periods in your account settings. Turn these on the day you sign up — treat them as seatbelts, not restraints.

Self-exclusion means asking to be blocked from gambling for a set period — months, years, or permanently. In the US, state-regulated casinos and sportsbooks participate in official state self-exclusion programs: enrol once and you're barred from every operator licensed in that state.

For a stronger, device-level barrier that works across every gambling site regardless of where it's licensed, consider blocking software such as Gamban, GamBlock, or BetBlocker (free). These block gambling sites and apps on your phone and computer, and they don't depend on any operator or regulator cooperating.

Gambling harm rarely stays with one person. If you're worried about a partner, family member or friend, you don't have to wait for them to ask — the NCPG helpline supports loved ones too. Signs to watch for in someone else include secrecy about money, borrowing or missing funds, mood swings tied to wins and losses, and withdrawing from family life.

Keep gambling away from minors. You must be at least 18, or 21+ where required, to gamble. Never let anyone underage use your account, and if children share your devices, use parental controls and the blocking tools above.

You can also read our about page to understand how we test the sites we cover, and our terms of use for age and eligibility requirements. Whatever you decide, remember: reaching out for help is a sign of strength, and it works.