Responsible Gambling
Gambling should be entertainment, not a way to make money or solve a financial problem. If it stops being fun — or if you're worried about someone close to you — there is help, and it works.
Recognizing problem gambling
Problem gambling is recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as a behavioral addiction. It exists on a spectrum, from at-risk gambling that hasn't yet caused major harm to clinically diagnosable Gambling Disorder. Common warning signs:
- Gambling longer or with more money than you intended
- Chasing losses — increasing bets to win back what you've lost
- Lying to family or friends about how much or how often you gamble
- Borrowing money to gamble, or selling possessions to fund gambling
- Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to cut back
- Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, or low mood
- Missing work, school, or family obligations because of gambling
- Hiding the extent of gambling from people close to you
If any of these resonate, two free options are available immediately:
- NCPG's anonymous self-assessment — a 20-question screen at ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/screening-tools.
- 1-800-GAMBLER — a confidential 24/7 helpline staffed by trained counselors.
National US helplines & resources
| Resource | What it offers | How to reach |
|---|---|---|
| 1-800-GAMBLER | 24/7 confidential helpline; counselor referrals; family support | Call 1-800-GAMBLER; text "GAMB" to 53342 |
| National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) | Self-assessment tools, state resource directory, treatment finder, family resources | ncpgambling.org |
| Gamblers Anonymous | Peer support groups (in-person and virtual), 12-step program | gamblersanonymous.org |
| Gam-Anon | Support for families and friends of problem gamblers | gam-anon.org |
| GamTalk | Online peer support community; 24/7 forum | gamtalk.org |
| SAMHSA National Helpline | General mental health and substance use help (includes gambling) | 1-800-662-4357 |
State helplines (US)
1-800-GAMBLER is the universal US number, but several states operate their own dedicated lines. Use whichever you prefer:
Self-exclusion programs
Self-exclusion is a formal commitment, recognized by operators and state regulators, to be banned from gambling for a set period. Two paths:
Operator-level self-exclusion
Every legitimate US-facing online casino offers self-exclusion in your account settings, typically under "Responsible Gaming." Options usually include:
- Time-out / cool-off: Temporary lock (24 hours to 6 weeks). Reverses automatically.
- Self-exclusion: Indefinite lock (typically 1 year, 5 years, or lifetime). Once active, the account cannot be reactivated until the period expires — and lifetime self-exclusion is permanent.
Operator-level self-exclusion only covers that operator. If you self-exclude from BetMGM in New Jersey but open an account at Borgata Online the next day, the self-exclusion does not transfer.
State-level (regulated states)
In states with regulated online gambling, the state gaming authority maintains a unified self-exclusion list that covers all licensed operators in that state simultaneously. Once you join, you cannot legally gamble at any state-licensed casino during the exclusion period.
- New Jersey: NJ DGE iGaming Self-Exclusion (nj.gov/oag/ge/probgamb.htm)
- Pennsylvania: PGCB Self-Exclusion (gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov)
- Michigan: MGCB Responsible Gaming Database
- West Virginia: WV Lottery
- Connecticut: CT Department of Consumer Protection
- Rhode Island: RI Lottery
- Delaware: DE Division of Gaming Enforcement
National (multi-state)
The NCPG maintains a national self-exclusion option for sports betting through some partners; for online casinos, the state-level system remains the primary route.
Deposit limits & account tools
Every casino we recommend lets you set, at minimum:
- Daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits. Once you hit your limit, you cannot deposit again until the period resets.
- Loss limits. Same idea, but caps losses rather than deposits.
- Session time limits. The site logs you out automatically after a set duration.
- Reality checks. Pop-up reminders every 15, 30, or 60 minutes showing your session length and net win/loss.
- Wagering limits. Caps the size of individual bets.
Limits can be lowered at any time and take effect immediately. Raising a limit (making it less protective) takes 24 to 72 hours to take effect at most reputable operators — a deliberate friction designed to give you time to reconsider.
Help for family & friends
Living with someone whose gambling has become a problem is exhausting and often isolating. Help exists specifically for you:
- Gam-Anon — peer support groups for friends and family (gam-anon.org).
- NCPG family resources — guides on having "the conversation," financial protection steps, and finding family-focused therapy.
- Your state helpline — most state lines also serve family members.
Our editorial commitment
Ace Casinos is a member of the National Council on Problem Gambling. We publish responsible-gambling links in the header bar of every page, in the footer of every page, and inline within every operator review. We do not run pop-ups, push notifications, or aggressive remarketing aimed at users searching for problem-gambling help. If you arrived here looking for help — not for a casino — you should not be served bonus offers, and we don't.
If you would like us to add a state helpline, resource, or organization to this page, please email [email protected]. We update this page quarterly or whenever a verified resource changes.