Responsible Gambling

Online gambling is a form of entertainment. For most people, it stays that way. However, for some, it can become harder to control. New Game Network is committed to covering gambling honestly, and that includes making sure our readers have access to the tools and information they need to keep it fun.

This page is for everyone who gambles, not just those who think they have a problem. The habits and tools described here are useful at every level of play.

Know the Warning Signs

Problem gambling rarely announces itself. It tends to develop gradually, and many people don’t recognize what’s happening until it’s already affecting other parts of their life. The following signs are worth paying attention to.

Behavioral warning signs

• Finding yourself gambling longer than usual or spending more than you planned
• Lying to friends or family about how much you gamble or how much you’ve lost
• Neglecting work, school, or personal responsibilities because of gambling
• Chasing losses: placing bigger or more frequent bets trying to win back what you’ve lost
• Hiding your gambling activity or feeling the need to keep it secret

Emotional warning signs

• Feeling irritable, anxious, or restless when you’re not gambling
• Using gambling to escape stress, depression, boredom, or difficult emotions
• Feeling guilty or ashamed after a session
• Mood swings that track closely with wins and losses

Financial warning signs

• Gambling with rent, bill money, or funds you can’t afford to lose
• Borrowing money or selling belongings to fund gambling
• Missing financial obligations because of gambling losses
• Accumulating debt you can’t account for to people close to you

If any of these sound familiar, whether for yourself or someone you know, it’s important to know that support is available. You don’t need to be certain you have a problem to reach out.

How to Set Limits Before You Play

The most effective responsible gambling habits are the ones you put in place before a session starts, not after things go sideways. Online casinos are required to offer the following tools, all free to use.

• Deposit limits cap how much money you can add to your account in a set period: daily, weekly, or monthly. Once you hit the limit, no further deposits are accepted until the period resets. Set these when you first create your account, not after a bad session.
• Loss limits automatically stop play once you’ve lost a predetermined amount within a timeframe. They remove the temptation to keep going in the hope of turning things around.
• Session timers and reality checks track how long you’ve been playing and prompt you at regular intervals. If you’ve ever looked up from a gaming session and realized two hours passed in what felt like twenty minutes, these exist for exactly that reason.
• Cool-off periods let you suspend your account temporarily, typically anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks, without closing it permanently. They’re useful if you need a break but don’t want to commit to full exclusion.
• Self-exclusion is a longer-term option that blocks you from accessing a platform for a set period, usually between six months and five years. Once activated, it cannot be reversed until the period expires. Most casinos offer self-exclusion directly through account settings.

To set any of these tools, log into your casino account and look for a Responsible Gambling, Player Protection, or Account Limits section. If you can’t find it, contact the site’s customer support directly.

Self-Exclusion in the United States

If you want to exclude yourself from multiple operators at once, most US states with regulated gambling offer statewide self-exclusion programs. These vary by state but generally allow you to add your name to a list that participating operators are required to honor.

Some states to be aware of:

To find your state’s program, search “[your state] gaming control board self-exclusion” or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling at ncpgambling.org, which maintains a directory of state resources.

Self-Exclusion in the United Kingdom

The main national online self-exclusion program in the UK is GamStop. It is free to use and lets you block access to gambling websites and apps run by operators licensed in the UK.

GamStop only covers online gambling. If you also want to exclude yourself from land-based gambling, separate programs are available for betting shops, casinos, bingo venues, and adult gaming centers.

Support is also available through GamCare and BeGambleAware. GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline, while BeGambleAware offers information on gambling harms, blocking tools, treatment options, and safer gambling support.

Self-Exclusion in Australia

Australia’s national self-exclusion register is BetStop. It lets you exclude yourself from all Australian licensed online and phone wagering providers in one place.

While you are registered with BetStop, licensed wagering providers must not let you open an account, place bets, or receive direct marketing from them.

If you need wider support, Gambling Help Online offers free and confidential help across Australia. Support is available 24/7 by phone or online chat.

How to Get Help in the US

If gambling starts feeling harder to control, it may be time to speak with someone who understands what you’re dealing with. The organizations below offer free, confidential support for anyone affected by problem gambling, whether you’re worried about your own habits or someone else’s.

They include a national nonprofit focused on problem gambling awareness and treatment, a peer support fellowship built around shared experience, and a 24/7 helpline that can connect you with local counseling and recovery services.

Organization	Phone	Website
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)	1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)	ncpgambling.org
Gamblers Anonymous	Find a meeting at the link	gamblersanonymous.org
National Problem Gambling Helpline (chat/text)	Text “GAMBLER” to 833-235-4524	ncpgambling.org/help

All services are confidential. The NCPG helpline is available 24/7 and can help you find counselors, treatment options, and other support in your state.

How to Get Help in the UK

The following resources are available for players in the UK. These services can help with self-exclusion, confidential support, treatment guidance, and peer support.

Organization	Phone	Website
GamCare	0808 802 0133	gamcare.org.uk
BeGambleAware	111	gambleaware.org
GamStop	0800 138 6518	gamstop.co.uk
Gamblers Anonymous	Find a meeting at the link	gamblersanonymous.org.uk

How to Get Help in Australia

For players in Australia, these services offer practical help if gambling starts feeling difficult to manage. They cover 24/7 support, national self-exclusion, and peer support for anyone affected by gambling.

Organization	Phone	Website
Gambling Help Online	1800 858 858	gamblinghelponline.org.au
BetStop	1800 238 786	betstop.gov.au
Gamblers Anonymous	Find a meeting at the link	gambleaware.nsw.gov.au

Age Requirements

18/21+Online casino gaming and sports betting are strictly for adults. The legal minimum age is 21 in most US states, 18 in the United Kingdom, and 18 in Australia.

New Game Network does not create content for underage audiences, and we do not recommend operators that do not enforce age verification. If you share devices at home, parental control settings can be used to limit access to gambling websites for underage users. We encourage parents and guardians to use the controls available in their operating systems and browsers.

Responsible Gambling Basics

A few principles worth keeping in mind regardless of how often you play:

1. Gambling is entertainment, not a strategy for making money.
2. Every game carries a house edge, and there is no system or strategy to eliminate it.
3. Past results have no bearing on future outcomes.
4. Set a budget before you start and treat it as the cost of the experience.
5. Never gamble with money you can’t afford to lose.
6. Take regular breaks, both within sessions and between them.
7. Balance gambling with other activities in your life.

If gambling stops being fun, that’s the clearest signal to step back.