Responsible Gambling

Gambling is always meant to be a form of entertainment to enjoy in a responsible manner. If that is not the case for you or someone you care about, however, resources are available to help address problems that come up.

If gambling affects your family, work or personal situations, the following information can help you find assistance. Read on for more about responsible gambling resources available both throughout the United States and on a state-by-state basis as well.

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) can be reached by phone/text at 1-800-522-4700 or ncpgambling.org/chat. Help is available 24/7, and is always free and confidential.

Responsible gambling tools at regulated sportsbooks

Setting limits

One tool available to bettors is establishing preset limits on your betting at sportsbooks where you choose to wager. These can be established at any time, often directly through the sportsbook app at which you play.

There are different types of limits that can be set up to prevent gambling beyond someone’s means:

Self-exclusion programs

A bettor can choose to self-exclude themselves from participating to prevent harmful decisions in wagering on sports.

Self-exclusion programs are operated on a state-by-state basis. Check the individual states listed below for more information on self-exclusion programs that can be utilized at an individual player’s discretion.

What sportsbooks do for responsible gambling help

One advantage of regulated US sportsbooks is a shared commitment to addressing problem gambling behavior. Sports betting operators in the United States offer resources and tools through their apps and websites to allow bettors to manage their situation in advance or to find help if problems arise.

Here are the responsible gambling tools for individual operators with national pages:

Where to get responsible gambling help

Plenty of resources are available at the state level to provide more assistance in dealing with problem gambling issues.

The National Council on Problem Gambling operates the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network at 1-800-522-4700, available 24/7. Another 24/7 option is the free online chat at NCPGambling.org/Chat.

Another option for around-the-clock online help is at GamTalk, a moderated online peer support forum.

There is also Gamblers Anonymous, which offers multiple local hotline numbers as well as information on GA meetings. The main hotline number is 855-222-5542.

Responsible gambling contact information by state

Alabama

Alabama Council On Compulsive Gambling

Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:

Arizona

Arizona Council On Compulsive Gambling

Arizona Office of Problem Gambling

Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:

Self exclusion: https://problemgambling.az.gov/self-exclusion

California

California Council On Problem Gambling and California Department Of Public Health: Office of Problem Gambling

Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:

Colorado

Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado

Self exclusion: http://www.problemgamblingcolorado.org/content/self-exclusion

Connecticut

Connecticut Council On Problem Gambling

Live Chat

Self-exclusion: https://portal.ct.gov/selfexclusion

Delaware

Delaware Council On Gambling Problems

Self-exclusion: https://www.delottery.com/More/iGaming/Self-Exclusion-Program

District of Columbia

Self-exclusion: https://www.dclotterysportsbetting.com/operating-sports-betting/responsible-gaming/self-exclusion-program/

Florida

Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling

Live Chat

Georgia

Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:

Hawaii

Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:

Illinois

Illinois Council on Problem Gambling

Self-exclusion: https://www.igb.illinois.gov/ProblemGamblers.aspx

Indiana

Indiana Council on Problem Gambling

Self-exclusion: https://www.in.gov/igc/voluntary-exclusion-program/

Iowa

Your Life Iowa

Live Chat

Self-exclusion: https://irgc.iowa.gov/self-exclusion-program

Kansas

Kansas Coalition on Problem Gambling

Self-exclusion: https://www.krgc.ks.gov/index.php/responsible-gambling/voluntary-exclusion-program

Kentucky

Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling

Louisiana

Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:

Self-exclusion: http://lgcb.dps.louisiana.gov/voluntary.html

Maine

Maine Council on Problem Gambling

Self-exclusion: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/prevention/gambling/selfexclusion/index.html

Maryland

Maryland Council on Problem Gambling

Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling

Live Chat

Self-exclusion: https://www.mdgamblinghelp.org/problem-gambling-info/voluntary-exclusion-program/

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health

Live Chat

Self-exclusion: https://massgaming.com/about/voluntary-self-exclusion/

Michigan

Michigan Association on Problem Gambling

Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:

Self-exclusion: https://www.michigan.gov/mgcb/resources/responsible-gambling

Minnesota

Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling

Live Chat

Mississippi

Mississippi Council on Problem & Compulsive Gambling

Live Chat

Self-exclusion: https://www.msgamingcommission.com/images/uploads/selfexclusionform.pdf

Missouri

Self-exclusion: https://www.mgc.dps.mo.gov/DAP/dap_onList.html

Montana

Montana Council on Problem Gambling

Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:

Self-exclusion: https://sportsbetmontana.com/en/view/faqs-responsible-gambling

Nebraska

Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling

Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:

Nevada

Nevada Council on Problem Gambling

Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Council on Problem Gambling

New Jersey

Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey

Live Chat

Self-exclusion: https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-of-gaming-enforcement-home/self-exclusion-program/

New Mexico

New Mexico Council on Problem Gambling

Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico

Self-exclusion: https://www.gcb.nm.gov/gaming/compulsive-and-problem-gambling/self-exclusion/

New York

New York Council on Problem Gambling

Local Gamblers Anonymous number:

Self-exclusion: https://www.gaming.ny.gov/gaming/Self_exclusion.php

North Carolina

North Carolina Council on Problem Gambling

Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:

Ohio

Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline

Problem Gambling Network of Ohio

Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:

Self-exclusion: https://casinocontrol.ohio.gov/ResponsibleGambling/VoluntaryExclusionProgram.aspx

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Association on Problem Gambling and Gaming

Self-exclusion: https://smartplayok.org/self-exclusion-program/

Oregon

Oregon Council on Problem Gambling

Live Chat

Self-exclusion: https://sports.oregonlottery.org/responsible-gaming/#self-exclusion-anchor

Pennsylvania

Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania 

Live Chat

Self-exclusion: https://responsibleplay.pa.gov/self-exclusion/

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Council on Problem Gambling

Self-exclusion: https://www.ballys.com/lincoln/responsible-gaming.htm

South Carolina

Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:

Tennessee

Tennessee Association of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services

Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:

Texas

Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:

Utah

Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:

Virginia

Virginia Council onProblem Gambling

Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:

Self-exclusion: https://www.valottery.com/playingmatters/voluntaryexclusionprogram

Washington

Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling

Live Chat

Self-exclusion: https://www.wsgc.wa.gov/self-exclusion

West Virginia

The Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia

Live Chat

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Council on Problem Gamblers

Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:

Wyoming

Wyoming Council on Problem Gambling

States without local programs

The following states do not offer programs and rely upon national numbers for help:

Difference in regulated sportsbooks vs. offshore

The biggest difference between regulated and unregulated sportsbooks is that the regulated books have legal obligations to the consumer.

Gambling with an unregulated, or offshore, sportsbook does not carry the same consumer protections one gets while gambling with a regulated sportsbook.

That means if the offshore operation decides to close overnight ,there would be no legal recourse for bettors to recover their funds.

Offshores and problem gambling

Offshore sportsbooks have no obligation to address problem gamblers, as they are not regulated in the United States. They are not incentivized by the possibility of losing a license from allowing lapses in responsible gambling protocols.

Any gambling website that is legal in the United States will offer direct links to state-specific or national problem gambling help.