In a relatively short period of time, sweepstake casinos have gone from a niche form of entertainment to becoming a behemoth in the online gambling industry. Although their primary raison d’etre is recreation, it can be relatively easy to overspend and bring yourself and your family into a gambling predicament.
Therefore, it is paramount that, before setting aside a single sweeps coin, you develop a spending compass and understand the plights and perils of gambling. Every online casino worth the salt should foster a healthy environment and discourage its players from overspending, but it is ultimately up to you to avoid the addiction. Read on to discover ways to recognize the potential issues and learn the traits of responsible gambling.
Importance of Responsible Gambling
Responsible gambling is not simply another catchword but a term necessary for our gambling well-being. This notion empowers players to be in total control of the game, and if done right, responsible gambling lets you reap the rewards without risking the addiction.
The fine line between a relaxing pastime and a dangerous addiction isn’t always that obvious. It’s all fun and games until the law of diminishing returns kicks in, and we get less pleasure from the game despite pouring more money into it. Mastering the techniques of responsible gambling can help you recognize the fine print and act before things get out of hand.
The term can also be understood as a set of rules and guiding principles that keep gambling away from ever becoming more than just a hobby, such as:
- Plan your budget and stick to it
- Play for fun, not money
- Be open about your spending
- Set time and deposit limits
- Take occasional breaks
Recognizing Problem Gambling Signs
Needless to say, a compulsive gambler would never admit to having a problem. Luckily, the common knowledge has zeroed in on problematic behavior, and there are several surefire signs that you or someone you know might be dealing with a gambling issue:
Obsessing When Not Playing
One of the most common signs of the perilous gambling problem is strategizing your way towards the next victory while at work or doing other things. It is often referred to as the gambling itch.
Chasing Losses
An obsessive gambler would not rest until their losses are recuperated. They’d then enter a compulsive frenzy of chasing losses and only pile more instead.
Visualize Future Winnings
A corollary to chasing losses, a gambler’s mind frame would calculate the potential winnings even before they materialize, resulting in agonizing pain when their plans get thwarted.
Spending More Than Planned
We all start with a small amount and break an occasional self-imposed limit, but a problem gambler would go on a limit-breaking spree until a limit is no more.
Seeking Help for Gambling Addiction
So, you are suspicious of the gambling problem but not quite sure yet – don’t worry, that’s half the job done. Before you turn outside for help, there are things you can do to keep problem gambling in check.
Stick to the Limits
Whatever your time and deposit limits are, you’re good to go so long as you stick to them. As a rule of thumb, an hour a day or a $50 daily loss should be well within the line.
Don’t Gamble Under the Influence
Despite what you might believe in the heat of the moment, those few drinks will not make you a better player. On the contrary, it will make you less reluctant to make it rain and more prone to overspending.
Utilize Self-Exclusion Options
Most online casinos sport self-exclusion mechanisms to help you plan a break. Take a couple of days off every once in a while, or take a short break immediately after a painful loss.
Gambling Support Helpline & US Locations
If none of these work for you, maybe it’s time to seek help elsewhere. What follows is the complete list of problem gambling helping centers across the US, along with their hotlines listed by state. And yes, they work.
| 🇺🇸 US State | 🏢Gambling Problem Help Center | ☎️Help Center Hotline |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling (4210 Lomac Street, Montgomery, AL 36106) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Alaska | National Problem Gambling Helpline (730 11th St, NW, Ste 601, Washington, DC 20001) | 1-800-522-4700 |
| Arizona | Arizona Office of Problem Gambling (100 N. 15th Ave., Suite 202, Phoenix, Az. 85007) | 1-800-NEXT-STEP |
| Arkansas | California Council on Problem Gambling (301 President Clinton Avenue B, Little Rock, AR 72201) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| California | California Council on Problem Gambling (41690 Ivy St., Ste A7, Murrieta, CA 92562) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Colorado | Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado (7585 W Arkansas Ave, Suite 202, Lakewood, CO 80232) | 303-662-0772 |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling (75 Charter Oak Ave, Suite 1-309 Hartford, CT 06106) | 1-888-789-7777 |
| Delaware | Delaware Council on Gambling Problems (Delaware Council on Gambling Problems, 100 West 10th Street, Suite 303, Wilmington, DE 19801) | 888-850-8888 |
| District of Columbia | Department of Human Services (64 New York Avenue, NE, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20002) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Florida | Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (P.O. Box 2309, Sanford, FL 32772) | 1-888-ADMIT-IT |
| Georgia | The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (200 Piedmont Avenue, S.E. West Tower, 14th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30334) | 1-866-922-7369 |
| Hawaii | National Problem Gambling Helpline (730 11th St, NW, Ste 601, Washington, DC 20001) | 1-800-522-4700 |
| Idaho | National Problem Gambling Helpline (730 11th St, NW, Ste 601, Washington, DC 20001) | 1-800-522-4700 |
| Illinois | Illinois Council on Problem Gambling (676 Chesapeake Dr, Bolingbrook, IL 60440) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Indiana | Indiana Council on Problem Gambling (3935 N. Meridian Street, Suite B-1, Indianapolis, IN. 46208) | 800-994-8448 |
| Iowa | Iowa Gambling Treatment Program | 1-800-BETS OFF |
| Kansas | Kansas Coalition on Problem Gambling (2209 SW 29th Street, Topeka, KS, United States, Kansas) | 800-522-4700 |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling (P.O. Box 4595, Frankfort, KY 40604-4595) | 1-800-426-2537 |
| Louisiana | Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling (1325 Barksdale Blvd., Suite 219, Bossier City, LA 71111) | 1-877-770-STOP (7867) |
| Maine | Maine Council on Problem Gambling | 1-800-GAMBLER, 211 |
| Maryland | Maryland Council on Problem Gambling (PO Box 31623, Gwynn Oak, MD 21207) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health (120 Washington Street, Suite 202 Salem, MA 01970-6396) | 1-800-327-5050 |
| Michigan | Michigan Association on Problem Gambling (1330 West Grand River Avenue, Howell, Michigan 48843-1915) | 1-800-270-7117 |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling (935 County Road B2 West Suite 420, Roseville, MN 55113) | 800-333-HOPE |
| Mississippi | Mississippi Council on Problem & Compulsive Gambling (141 Executive Drive, Suite 4, Madison, MS 39110) | 1-888-777-9696 |
| Missouri | Missouri Department of Mental Health (1706 East Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Montana | Montana Council on Problem Gambling (PO Box 606, Helena, MT 59624-0606) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling (700 South 16th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Nevada | Nevada Council on Problem Gambling (5552 S. Fort Apache Road, Ste 100, Las Vegas, NV 89148) | 1-800-522-4700 |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire Council on Problem Gambling (100 N. Main St, Suite 400, Concord, NH 03301) | 603-724-1605 |
| New Jersey | New Jersey Self-Exclusion (140 E. Front Street, Trenton, NJ 08625) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| New Mexico | New Mexico Council on Problem Gambling (P.O. Box 10127, Albuquerque, NM 87184) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| New York | New York Council on Problem Gambling (100 Great Oaks Blvd. Suite 104, Albany, NY 12203) | 877-8-HOPENY |
| North Carolina | North Carolina Council on Problem Gambling (PO Box 36573, Greensboro, NC 27416) | 1-877-718-5543 |
| North Dakota | North Dakota Department of Health (600 East Boulevard Ave Bismarck, ND 58505-0250) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Ohio | The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (355 E Campus View Blvd Ste 285 Columbus, OH 43235) | 800-589-9966 |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Association on Problem Gambling and Gaming (501 E. Alameda, Ste E., Norman, OK 73071) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Oregon | Oregon Council on Problem Gambling (Oregon Council on Problem Gambling, 6312 SW Capitol Hwy) | 1-877-695-4648 |
| Pennsylvania | Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania (PO Box 444, Spring House, PA 19477-0444) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Council on Problem Gambling (15 Messenger Dr, Warwick, RI 02888) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (1801 Main Street, 12th Floor, Columbia, SC 29201) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| South Dakota | South Dakota Department of Social Services (700 Governors Drive | Pierre, SD 57501) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Problem Gambling Helpline | 800-889-9789 |
| Texas | Texas Department of State Health Service (7430 Louis Pasteur San Antonio, Texas 78229) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Utah | Utah Department of Health (P.O. Box 141010. Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1010) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Vermont | Vermont Department of Health (108 Cherry Street, Burlington, VT 05402) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Virginia | Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (PO Box 980330, Richmond, VA 23298) | 1-888-532-3500 |
| Washington | Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling (1821 4th Avenue E, Olympia, WA 98506) | 1-800-547-6133 |
| West Virginia | The Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia | 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling (1585 Allouez Ave, Green Bay, WI 54311-6268) | 800-426-2535 |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Council on Problem Gambling (PO Box 307, Beulah, WY 82712-0307) | 1-800-GAMBLER |
Self-Exclusion Programs
Mindful of the potential pitfalls of online gambling, casinos have introduced a slew of time limitations and self-exclusion programs that players can take advantage of. What they essentially do is allow players to block themselves from the casino for a designated period.
You can use these self-exclusion programs in one of at least two ways. First, manage the hobby by self-excluding for a couple of days, say, every month. Not only does this keep the gambling concerns at bay, but it also helps preserve the fun factor.
If, however, your gambling issue has reached a deep end, you might want to consider self-excluding for a couple of years. Some casinos will even allow players to delete their accounts altogether. On the other hand, some will allow the removal of the self-exclusion option. Please be extra mindful of your gambling habits before ever thinking of taking that route.
How Online Casinos & Other Platforms Promote Responsible Gambling
Aware that gambling addiction comes from nowhere and that it hits hard, reputable casinos have introduced various forms of restrictions and limits to help you put on a break. We take extra care to thumb up only casinos that sport the following restrictions:
Time & Deposit Limits
Daily, weekly, or monthly limits can help you keep your gambling habits in check. Likewise, legit sweepstake casinos often come with deposit limits to help players monitor their spending.
Self-Exclusion Options
Another great self-monitoring tool introduced by online casinos is the possibility to steer clear from gambling for a period of time. It could be two days or two years – depending on what your personal plan is or how serious the gambling problem has become.
Short Break Option
On a hands-on level, you know how frustrating it is to lose money and how tempting it is to go again straight away? Well, you might want to think of taking a short break instead and letting things cool off before lunging in again. A reputable casino will allow you to lock the account for up to 24 hours and let things slide.
Why Is Responsible Gambling Important?
Gambling is a fantastic hobby that, nevertheless, shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s great fun, for sure, but it can also get out of hand if not indulged in moderation.
And this is where the concept of responsible gambling comes in. It can help either reduce the risk of becoming a problem gambler or help with the recovery if you belong to that 5% of players who have an addiction. Either way, being mindful of your gaming habits is a long-term strategy toward a longer, happier, and more wholesome life.
