Need help now? Call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700, chat at ncpgambling.org, or call 1-800-GAMBLER. All are free, confidential and available 24/7.
Signs of a gambling problem
- Betting more than you can afford to lose, or chasing losses.
- Gambling to escape stress, anxiety or low mood.
- Borrowing money or selling things to gamble.
- Lying to family or friends about how much you gamble.
- Feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut back.
If several of these sound familiar, take a free, anonymous self-assessment at NCPG’s self-assessment tools.
Tools to stay in control
Every reputable site offers tools to manage your play. Because offshore operators are not part of any US state self-exclusion program (like a state’s voluntary exclusion list), you must use the operator’s own tools:
- Deposit limits — cap how much you can deposit per day, week or month.
- Loss and wager limits — cap losses or total stakes over a period.
- Session reminders / time-outs — take a short break (24 hours to several weeks).
- Self-exclusion — lock yourself out for months or permanently.
National and state resources
| Resource | Contact |
|---|---|
| National Problem Gambling Helpline | 1-800-522-4700 (call/text), ncpgambling.org |
| 1-800-GAMBLER | 1-800-426-2537 |
| Gamblers Anonymous | gamblersanonymous.org |
| Gambling Therapy (international) | gamblingtherapy.org |
| Florida | 888-ADMIT-IT (888-236-4848) |
| New York | 1-877-8-HOPENY |
| Ohio | 1-800-589-9966 |
| North Carolina | 877-718-5543 |
| Georgia | 404-985-6785 |
Protecting minors
Gambling is strictly for adults (18 or 21 depending on the operator and state). If children share your device, use parental-control software such as GamBlock or Gamban, and never leave gambling accounts logged in.