Responsible Gambling: Stay in Control & Get Help
Gambling is entertainment, not a source of income. The vast majority of people who gamble do so safely, but for some it can become a serious problem. This page explains how to keep gambling under control, how to recognize the warning signs, and where to get free, confidential help in the United States — 24 hours a day.
Get help now
National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700 (call or text, 24/7, confidential).
1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).
Online chat and resources: ncpgambling.org.
Play responsibly: the basics
- Set a budget before you play and never exceed it. Only gamble money you can afford to lose.
- Set a time limit. Take regular breaks and don't let gambling crowd out the rest of your life.
- Never chase losses. Trying to win back what you've lost is the fastest route to bigger losses.
- Don't gamble to escape stress, anxiety or depression, or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Keep gambling social and fun. If it stops being fun, stop.
Warning signs of problem gambling
- Spending more time or money gambling than you intended
- Borrowing money, selling possessions or lying to fund gambling
- Gambling to escape problems or feeling anxious and irritable when not gambling
- Neglecting work, family or responsibilities
- Feeling unable to stop despite wanting to
If any of these sound familiar, please reach out. Help is free and confidential.
Tools to stay in control
Most reputable offshore operators offer responsible-gambling controls in your account settings. Use them:
- Deposit limits — cap how much you can deposit per day, week or month.
- Loss & wager limits — cap how much you can lose or bet.
- Session reminders & time-outs — short cool-off periods (24 hours to several weeks).
- Self-exclusion — block your account for months or years.
Important: offshore operators and self-exclusion
The operators we list are licensed offshore and are not part of US state self-exclusion programs (such as state voluntary self-exclusion lists) or any national self-exclusion scheme. If you self-exclude with one offshore operator, that exclusion does not automatically apply to others. If you need to stop gambling entirely, consider using a blocking tool that covers all gambling sites.
Blocking software
To block access to gambling sites across all your devices, consider Gamban, GamBlock or BetBlocker (free). These block gambling content regardless of which operator or jurisdiction is involved.
Support organizations
| Organization | Contact | What they offer |
|---|---|---|
| National Council on Problem Gambling | 1-800-522-4700 · ncpgambling.org | 24/7 helpline, chat, text, treatment referrals |
| Gamblers Anonymous | gamblersanonymous.org | Free peer-support meetings nationwide |
| Gam-Anon | gam-anon.org | Support for family & friends of problem gamblers |
| SAMHSA National Helpline | 1-800-662-4357 | Mental health & substance-use support |
Protecting minors
Gambling is strictly for adults (18+ or 21+ depending on the operator and your location). If minors have access to your devices, use parental controls and keep account credentials secure.
About this page
Written and fact-checked by the Whittleseabluecab editorial team. Last updated July 16, 2026. Our rankings follow a published, independent process — see How We Rate. We may earn a commission when you sign up via our links; this never affects our scores or order. The operators listed are licensed offshore and are not regulated by any US state.
⚠ Gamble responsibly
18+/21+ only. Gambling can be harmful. For free, confidential support call the National Problem Gambling Helpline 1-800-522-4700 or 1-800-GAMBLER, and read our responsible gambling guide.