Responsible Gambling

If gambling has stopped being entertainment, help is available. These resources are free, confidential, and available 24/7.

By Marcus Webb Affiliate Disclosure

Online gambling should be a form of entertainment, not a source of financial stress or personal difficulty. At Clear Pick Casino, we believe that responsible gambling information is not an afterthought — it is as important as any review or ranking on this site.

If you or someone you know is experiencing problems related to gambling, the resources on this page can help. All listed services are free and confidential. Whether you found us through our casino reviews or any other page on this site, we want you to have access to these support tools before making any decisions.

National Helplines

National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG): Call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Confidential support for anyone affected by problem gambling.
NCPG Online Chat: Visit ncpgambling.org/chat for live chat support.
NCPG Text Support: Text 800GAM to 833234 for text-based counseling support.
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for general crisis support, including gambling-related distress.
Gamblers Anonymous: gamblersanonymous.org — peer support meetings available in-person and online.
Gam-Anon: gam-anon.org — support for family members and friends affected by someone else's gambling.

Recognizing Problem Gambling

Problem gambling does not always look the way people expect. It is not limited to losing large sums of money. The following signs may indicate that gambling has become problematic:

1 Spending more time or money gambling than you intended

2 Chasing losses — continuing to play in an attempt to recover money already lost

3 Feeling restless or irritable when trying to reduce or stop gambling

4 Lying to family, friends, or others about the extent of gambling activity

5 Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling

6 Neglecting work, education, or personal responsibilities due to gambling

7 Using gambling as a way to escape problems or relieve negative emotions

8 Returning to gambling after losing money, determined to "win it back"

9 Making repeated unsuccessful attempts to control, cut back, or stop gambling

10 Jeopardizing important relationships, employment, or opportunities because of gambling

If you recognize three or more of these patterns, we encourage you to speak with a counselor. Call 1-800-GAMBLER for confidential support.

Self-Exclusion Programs

Self-exclusion programs allow you to voluntarily ban yourself from gambling platforms for a defined period. Once enrolled, the casino is obligated to close your account and reject any future registration attempts.

Casino-Level Self-Exclusion

Most online casinos offer self-exclusion through their account settings. This typically allows you to choose a period (24 hours, 7 days, 30 days, 6 months, or permanent) during which your account is locked and you cannot deposit, play, or access the platform.

Limitation: Casino-level self-exclusion only applies to that specific casino. You can still register at other platforms. For broader protection, state-level programs are more effective.

State-Specific Self-Exclusion Programs

Several US states operate self-exclusion registries that apply to all licensed gambling operators within the state. While these primarily cover state-regulated casinos, they represent an important tool for managing gambling behavior:

New Jersey: Division of Gaming Enforcement — Self-Exclusion Program
Pennsylvania: Gaming Control Board — Self-Exclusion Program
Michigan: Gaming Control Board — Disassociated Persons List
Connecticut: Department of Consumer Protection — Voluntary Self-Exclusion
West Virginia: Lottery Commission — Self-Exclusion Program
Colorado: Division of Gaming — Voluntary Exclusion Program
Indiana: Gaming Commission — Voluntary Exclusion Program
Iowa: Racing and Gaming Commission — Self-Exclusion Program

Note: State self-exclusion programs apply to state-regulated operators. Offshore casinos that are not licensed in your state are not bound by these programs. If you use offshore casinos and want to self-exclude, you will need to use the casino's own self-exclusion tool.

Tools for Managing Your Gambling

If you want to continue gambling but maintain better control, these tools and practices can help:

Deposit Limits

Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits in your account settings before you begin playing.

Loss Limits

Some casinos pause your account once a certain amount has been lost in a defined period.

Session Timers

Set alerts that notify you after a specified period of play. Easy to lose track of time.

Reality Checks

Periodic pop-ups showing your net win/loss for the current session.

Cooling-Off Periods

Temporary account suspension (24 hours to 7 days) without committing to permanent self-exclusion.

Blocking Software

Gamban and BetBlocker block gambling sites across all your devices.

For Family and Friends

If someone you care about is experiencing gambling problems, these resources can help you understand the situation and find support:

Gam-Anon: gam-anon.org — support groups for people affected by another person's gambling.
NCPG: The 1-800-GAMBLER helpline is available for family members and friends, not just the person gambling.

Key guidance for family members:

Do not bail the person out of financial trouble caused by gambling — this enables continued behavior
Protect your own finances by separating joint accounts if necessary
Encourage professional help without ultimatums or confrontation
Seek support for yourself — a family member's gambling problem affects everyone close to them

If you are in crisis, call 1-800-GAMBLER now.
Help is free, confidential, and available 24/7.