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:
Deposit limits mean a player can only deposit that maximum amount set for a certain amount of time.
Time limits mean a player would have their session ended after the specific time set.
Wager limits mean a player can set a maximum on how much they want to bet while playing.
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:
Barstool Sportsbook
BetMGM
Betway
Caesars Sportsbook
DraftKings
FanDuel
WynnBET
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
Call: 211 in Alabama
Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:
Birmingham Hotline: (205) 824-2473
Montgomery Hotline: (334) 399-6918
Mobile Hotline: (251) 518-7222
Arizona
Arizona Council On Compulsive Gambling
Call: 1-800-777-7207
Arizona Office of Problem Gambling
Call: 1-800-NEXT-STEP
Text: NEXTSTEP to 53342
Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:
Arizona Spanish Hotline: (888) 665-8346 (888 NO-JUEGO)
Phoenix Hotline: (602) 266-9784
Tucson Hotline: (520) 570-7879
Self exclusion: https://problemgambling.az.gov/self-exclusion
California
California Council On Problem Gambling and California Department Of Public Health: Office of Problem Gambling
Call: 1-800-GAMBLER
Text: SUPPORT to 53342
Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:
Palm Springs Hotline: (760) 325-2808
Colorado
Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado
Call: 1-800-522-4700
Self exclusion: http://www.problemgamblingcolorado.org/content/self-exclusion
Connecticut
Connecticut Council On Problem Gambling
Call: 888-789-7777
Self-exclusion: https://portal.ct.gov/selfexclusion
Delaware
Delaware Council On Gambling Problems
Call: 888-850-8888
Text: 302-438-8888, Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm
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
Call: 888-236-4848
Text: 321-978-0555
Georgia
Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:
Atlanta Korean Hotline: (678) 431-6600
Georgia Hotline: (404) 237-7281
Marietta/Douglasville Hotline: (404) 641-5327
Hawaii
Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:
Hawaii Hotline: (808) 284-8329
Illinois
Illinois Council on Problem Gambling
Call: 217-652-9611
Self-exclusion: https://www.igb.illinois.gov/ProblemGamblers.aspx
Indiana
Indiana Council on Problem Gambling
Call: 800-994-8448
Text: INGAMB to 53342
Self-exclusion: https://www.in.gov/igc/voluntary-exclusion-program/
Iowa
Call: 1-800-BETS-OFF
Text: (855) 895-8398
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:
Baton Rouge Hotline: (888) 502-5610
Self-exclusion: http://lgcb.dps.louisiana.gov/voluntary.html
Maine
Maine Council on Problem Gambling
Call: 211 in Maine
Text: Your zip code to 898211
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
Call or text: 1-800-426-2537
Self-exclusion: https://www.mdgamblinghelp.org/problem-gambling-info/voluntary-exclusion-program/
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health
Call: 1-800-326-1234
Self-exclusion: https://massgaming.com/about/voluntary-self-exclusion/
Michigan
Michigan Association on Problem Gambling
Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:
Grand Rapids Hotline: (616) 776-0666
Self-exclusion: https://www.michigan.gov/mgcb/resources/responsible-gambling
Minnesota
Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling
Call: 800-333-4673
Text: HOPE to 53342
Mississippi
Mississippi Council on Problem & Compulsive Gambling
Call: 1-888-777-9696
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
Call: 888-900-9979
Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:
Billings Hotline: (406) 860-8287
Helena Hotline: (406) 431-1663
Self-exclusion: https://sportsbetmontana.com/en/view/faqs-responsible-gambling
Nebraska
Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling
Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:
Lincoln Hotline: (402) 473-7933
Omaha Hotline: (402) 978-7557
Nevada
Nevada Council on Problem Gambling
Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:
Carson City Hotline: (775) 882-8222
Reno Hotline: (775) 356-8070
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Council on Problem Gambling
Call: 603-724-1605
New Jersey
Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey
Call: 1-800-GAMBLER
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
Call: 1-800-572-1142
Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico
Call: 888-696-2440
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:
Albany Hotline: (518) 292-0414
Self-exclusion: https://www.gaming.ny.gov/gaming/Self_exclusion.php
North Carolina
North Carolina Council on Problem Gambling
Call: 336-681-8516
Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:
Greensboro/Winston-Salem Hotline: (336) 681-8516
North Carolina Hotline: (919) 460-9039
Ohio
Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline
Call: 1-800-589-9966
Text: 4HOPE to 741741
Problem Gambling Network of Ohio
Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:
Toledo Hotline: (419) 327-9514
Youngstown Hotline: (330) 505-5060
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
Call: 1-877-MY-LIMIT
Text: 1-503-713-6000, Mon-Fri 9am-9pm
Self-exclusion: https://sports.oregonlottery.org/responsible-gaming/#self-exclusion-anchor
Pennsylvania
Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania
Call: 1-800-GAMBLER
Text: 1-800-522-4700
Self-exclusion: https://responsibleplay.pa.gov/self-exclusion/
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Council on Problem Gambling
Call: 877-942-6253
Self-exclusion: https://www.ballys.com/lincoln/responsible-gaming.htm
South Carolina
Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:
South Carolina Hotline: (919) 460-9039
Tennessee
Tennessee Association of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services
Call or text: 800-889-9789
Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:
Memphis Hotline: (901) 438-3695
Texas
Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:
Austin Hotline: (512) 860-2958
Dallas/Fort Worth Hotline: (817) 371-0624
Houston Hotline: (855) 442-7105
San Antonio Hotline: (210) 705-4429
Utah
Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:
Salt Lake City Hotline: (801) 758-8890
Virginia
Virginia Council onProblem Gambling
Call: 1-888-532-3500
Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:
Staunton Hotline: (540) 221-6863
Self-exclusion: https://www.valottery.com/playingmatters/voluntaryexclusionprogram
Washington
Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling
Call: 1-800-547-6133
Self-exclusion: https://www.wsgc.wa.gov/self-exclusion
West Virginia
The Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia
Call: 1-800-426-2537
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Council on Problem Gamblers
Call: 1-800-426-2535
Text: 850-888-4673
Local Gamblers Anonymous numbers:
Madison Hotline: (608) 283-5800
Wausau Hotline: (715) 297-5317
Wyoming
Wyoming Council on Problem Gambling
States without local programs
The following states do not offer programs and rely upon national numbers for help:
Alaska
Arkansas
Idaho
North Dakota
South Dakota
Vermont
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.