Responsible Gambling

Gambling is entertainment. It is not a way to make money, it is not a path out of financial trouble, and it is not a stress-relief tool. Used responsibly — with a fixed budget, a fixed time window, and a willingness to walk away — it can be a perfectly fine recreational activity. Used irresponsibly, it can ruin lives.

If gambling has stopped being fun for you, get help today. The National Council on Problem Gambling operates a free, confidential 24/7 helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER. The Council also runs an online chat at ncpgambling.org and a text line (text "HELPLINE" to 800GAM).

Warning signs to take seriously

• You're betting more than you planned, more often than you planned
• You're using money meant for rent, bills, food, or savings to gamble
• You're chasing losses — placing bigger bets to win back what you've lost
• You're hiding the extent of your gambling from family or close friends
• You feel restless or irritable when you try to cut back
• Gambling is interfering with work, sleep, or your relationships

Tools every operator on our list offers

• Deposit limits — set a maximum daily, weekly, or monthly deposit amount. The operator enforces it automatically.
• Wager limits — cap the maximum amount you can wager in a session or a day.
• Time-out periods — temporary lockout from 24 hours to 30 days. Useful for taking a break.
• Self-exclusion — permanent or long-term account closure. The operator will not reopen the account during the exclusion period.
• Reality checks — pop-up reminders showing how long you've been playing and how much you've wagered.

If you're in Idaho and looking for local help, the Idaho State Lottery operates a problem-gambling resource line as well at 1-800-GAMBLER. Tribal casinos in Idaho also have voluntary self-exclusion programs that work across all participating tribal gaming venues.

If you know someone who might have a gambling problem, the National Council also operates a Gam-Anon program for family members affected by another person's gambling. Information is available at the same helpline number.