Responsible gambling

Casino play is entertainment with a built-in cost, not a way to make money. If it stops feeling like entertainment, help is free, confidential, and available around the clock.

Get help now

• Call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) — the national problem gambling helpline, available 24/7 in every state.
• Text or chat: the National Council on Problem Gambling operates text and chat support via ncpgambling.org.
• Peer support: Gamblers Anonymous meetings run in every state, in person and online, via gamblersanonymous.org.

Warning signs

Chasing losses, betting more than planned, hiding play from family, borrowing to gamble, and gambling to escape stress are the classic markers. One of them on its own is a reason to pause; several together are a reason to call the helpline.

Tools regulated casinos must offer

Every casino licensed in a regulated US state is required to provide safety controls, and they work best when set before play starts rather than after a bad night:

• Deposit, loss, and time limits you set yourself and that the operator must enforce.
• Cool-off periods — short account timeouts from 24 hours to several weeks.
• Self-exclusion — binding bans of one year or more. Most regulated states also run a state-wide self-exclusion register covering every licensed operator at once, administered by the state gaming commission.

Underage play

Real-money casino play generally requires players to be 21 or older in the United States. Regulated operators verify identity and age at sign-up; if a minor has access to an account, contact the operator and the state commission immediately.