Key facts
- The National Problem Gambling Helpline number is 1-800-MY-RESET. The older number, 1-800-522-4700, still works.
- Licensed casinos let you set limits and exclude yourself. At Caesars Palace Online, for example, the shortest time-out is 72 hours.
- New Jersey runs its own online self-exclusion program through the Division of Gaming Enforcement.
- Offshore casinos are outside every US state program: no state self-exclusion, no state dispute process.
Contents
Where to get help right now
Call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738). The National Council on Problem Gambling adopted this number on January 29, 2026, and it connects you to the National Problem Gambling Helpline. The longstanding number 1-800-522-4700 remains active. Help is free and confidential. In an emergency, call 911, or 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Signs that gambling is becoming a problem
The national council lists warning signs such as gambling despite negative consequences and feeling the need to bet more money, more often. Others to watch for: chasing losses, hiding how much you play, and borrowing to gamble. If any of these sound familiar, the helpline is the place to start, for yourself or for someone close to you.
Limits you can set at a licensed casino
State-licensed casinos give you tools to control your play from inside your account. As an example, the Terms of Service of Caesars Palace Online Casino in New Jersey say you can set daily limits, take a time-out of at least 72 hours, or put your name on the internet self-exclusion list. Bonus wagers count toward your spend limits there too, so a no deposit bonus does not let you play past a limit you set.
| Tool | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit or spend limit | Caps how much you can deposit or bet in a period | Before your first deposit |
| Time-out | Locks your account for a short, fixed period | After a session that went badly |
| Self-exclusion | Blocks you from playing for a long period or for good | When limits are not enough |
Self-exclusion in the states we cover
- New Jersey: the Division of Gaming Enforcement runs an online self-exclusion program that covers every licensed site in the state.
- West Virginia: the law bars anyone on the Lottery Commission's exclusion list, or on the operator's own list, from wagering online. See our West Virginia Lottery Commission page.
- Pennsylvania: the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board keeps an exclusion list that covers online casinos.
- Michigan: the Michigan Gaming Control Board points players to the self-exclusion options on each licensed site.
No deposit bonuses and staying in control
A no deposit bonus costs nothing to claim, but it exists to turn you into a depositing player. Some terms make that explicit: at Caesars Palace Online, you must make at least one cash deposit before you can withdraw winnings from bonus funds. Decide your budget before you sign up, and never deposit just to unlock a small win. Our no deposit bonus calculator shows what an offer is really worth in dollars.
Why we never list offshore casinos
Offshore casinos are not licensed by any US state, so none of the state tools on this page apply to them: no state self-exclusion, no state dispute process. The Michigan Gaming Control Board, for example, sends cease-and-desist letters to unlicensed online casinos and publishes a list of them. We only list operators licensed by a US state regulator; see how we rate.
Sources
- NCPG - 1-800-MY-RESET adopted as the National Problem Gambling Helpline numberncpgambling.org
- NCPG - 1-800-MY-RESET helpline FAQncpgambling.org
- NCPG - National Problem Gambling Helpline fact sheetncpgambling.org
- CCGNJ and NCPG - 1-800-GAMBLER license agreement (2022)800gambler.org
- New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement - Self-exclusionnj.gov
- Caesars Palace Online Casino - Terms of Service (responsible gaming and self-exclusion)caesarspalaceonline.com
- West Virginia Code 29-22E-15 (exclusion lists for interactive wagering)code.wvlegislature.gov
- Michigan Gaming Control Board - Legal vs illegal gamingmichigan.gov
Frequently asked questions
What is the number of the National Problem Gambling Helpline?
It is 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738). The National Council on Problem Gambling adopted it in January 2026, and the older number 1-800-522-4700 stays active.
Is 1-800-GAMBLER still a valid number?
Yes, it still reaches help, but it belongs to the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. The national helpline number is now 1-800-MY-RESET. You will still see 1-800-GAMBLER on many casino sites.
Can I exclude myself from all online casinos in a state?
In New Jersey, yes: the Division of Gaming Enforcement runs an online self-exclusion program that covers every licensed site. Other states run their own programs; check the regulator page for your state.
Is a no deposit bonus a safe way to start gambling?
It costs nothing up front, but it is designed to lead to a deposit. Decide your limit before you claim it, and treat any money you win as luck, not income.