Gambling should be entertainment, not a way to make money or escape problems. This page explains how to stay in control, the tools available to you, and where to get free, confidential help. If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone.
Get help now — free & confidential, 24/7
Call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700, or 1-800-GAMBLER. Chat and more resources at ncpgambling.org.
Tools to Stay in Control
- Deposit limits — cap how much you can deposit per day, week or month.
- Loss & wager limits — cap losses or total stakes over a period.
- Time reminders & session limits — get alerts or auto-logout after a set time.
- Cooling-off periods — a short break (24 hours to weeks) where you can't play.
- Self-exclusion — block yourself for months or permanently.
Important: Offshore Operators & Self-Exclusion
The operators we compare are offshore and are not part of any US state self-exclusion program (such as those run by state gaming regulators). That means excluding yourself at one offshore site does not exclude you elsewhere. If you need to stop, use each operator's own self-exclusion tools and consider a device-level blocker like Gamban or GamBlock, which block gambling sites across all your devices.
Warning Signs
It may be time to seek help if you: gamble more than you can afford, chase losses, borrow money to gamble, hide your gambling, feel anxious or irritable when not playing, or let it affect work or relationships. Recognising the signs early is the most important step.
Where to Get Help
- National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700 (call/text/chat) — ncpgambling.org
- 1-800-GAMBLER — national referral line
- Gamblers Anonymous — gamblersanonymous.org
- GamCare / Gordon Moody and Gamban (device blocking) for extra tools
- State helplines: Florida 888-ADMIT-IT · North Carolina 877-718-5543 · Ohio 1-800-589-9966 · Tennessee 800-889-9789 · Illinois 1-800-426-2537
You must be of legal age (18+ or 21+ depending on the operator) to gamble. If in doubt, don't — and reach out.