Gambling limits, warning signs, and independent help

Keep the promotion outside your boundaries

Decide spending and time limits before looking at an offer. Money needed for housing, food, bills, debt payments, or other essentials is not a gambling budget. A bonus does not replace that money or make a loss affordable.

Notice changes such as borrowing to play, hiding activity, repeatedly exceeding limits, or gambling to recover losses. You do not need to wait for a severe financial crisis before seeking support. A promotional countdown is not an emergency.

Use practical barriers

Account deposit or time limits, cooling-off periods, marketing opt-outs, and self-exclusion can reduce access and prompts. Check the scope of each tool: one account setting may not cover another platform, retail venue, or state. Do not look for ways around an exclusion.

If a bonus remains active, ask support how stopping affects the balance without continuing to wager. Preserving access to a promotional award is not a reason to postpone a break or exclusion.

Find support that fits the need

The National Council on Problem Gambling's help page provides the current National Problem Gambling Helpline, 1-800-MY-RESET, with call, text, and online chat routes that connect people to local resources. Gamblers Anonymous provides a directory of peer-support meetings. These serve different purposes and can be considered alongside professional care.

This website provides education and links; it does not provide treatment, diagnosis, or emergency services. A healthcare professional or a specialist gambling-support service can help assess appropriate care. People affected by someone else's gambling can also seek support rather than managing the situation alone.

Take one concrete step

You can close the promotion page, disable marketing, contact a support service, or ask a trusted person to help organize practical next steps. A manageable action is useful even if the larger situation feels complicated. Keep passwords and legal account ownership secure while seeking help.

If you are trying to stop, consider saving the support link somewhere separate from gambling content so accessing help does not require revisiting promotional material.

• Stop when your planned limit is reached.
• Turn off promotional prompts if they create pressure.
• Check the scope of a break or exclusion.
• Contact independent help if control feels difficult.

Common questions

Sources & further reading