We encourage all readers to treat gambling as entertainment and only gamble with money and time they can afford to lose. Results are never guaranteed, and no betting strategy can remove risk.
If gambling is causing stress, financial pressure or feels difficult to control, support is available. You’ll find practical tools and confidential help resources below.
Safer Gambling Tools & Practical Limits
Most licensed and regulated operators offer safer gambling features to help you stay in control. We recommend using these tools before you start playing.
- Deposit limits – restrict how much money you can add to your account.
- Betting limits – set a maximum stake amount to keep wagers within safe boundaries.
- Loss limits – reduce the risk of spending more than you can afford.
- Time limits – manage how long you spend gambling.
- Reality checks – receive reminders about your playing time and spending.
- Self-exclusion – take a temporary or permanent break if you feel you need it.
- Time-out / cooling-off – pause gambling access for a short period (for example 24 hours to several weeks).
Educate Yourself
We publish educational guides in our Betting School to help readers understand betting basics, manage risk and make informed decisions.
If you’d like to understand how we evaluate games and markets, you can read our documented predictions methodology.
No outcome is guaranteed, and even well-reasoned bets can lose due to variance - so bankroll discipline and limit-setting matter. Our guides and independent reviews are designed to help you build knowledge and avoid common betting mistakes that can lead to gambling problems.
To learn more about how we ensure our content is independent, accurate and analyst-driven, please see our Editorial Policy.
Self-Exclusion
You have the option to take a break from gambling if you feel it’s needed. This can be a short time-out (cooling-off period) or a longer pause lasting several months to help you reset and regain control. If you believe your gambling has become a more serious problem, you can also choose permanent self-exclusion, which will block access to your account indefinitely.
You can usually self-exclude directly through a licensed operator or through a regulator-backed scheme where available in your region.
For additional support, you may also consider using blocking software such as Gamban, GamBlock or BetBlocker. These tools can help restrict access to thousands of gambling websites and apps across desktop and mobile devices.
Blocking tools can be helpful, but they do not replace official self-exclusion programs offered by licensed operators or regulator-backed schemes.
How to Gamble More Safely
Setting clear limits before you start can help you stay in control. Consider setting a budget, keeping sessions time-limited and avoiding gambling when you feel stressed, tired or emotional. Never chase losses and take regular breaks to keep decisions clear and deliberate. Avoid increasing stakes to recover losses or to meet bonus wagering requirements.
Be cautious of content that implies guaranteed outcomes. Gambling always involves risk and no bet is ever certain.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Gambling may be becoming a problem if you notice any of the following: spending more than planned, chasing losses, hiding gambling activity, borrowing money to gamble, feeling anxious or irritable when not gambling, or gambling affecting work, relationships or mental health.
Helplines
Sportsgambler.com is not a treatment provider. The resources below are independent third-party support organisations. If you need immediate support, these organisations offer free and confidential help:
United States
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) serves as the national advocate for programs and services to help those with gambling problems.
- Helpline: Call or Text 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
- Website: ncpgambling.org
- Availability: 24/7, 100% confidential.
- United States legal gambling age: Varies by state and by product.
United Kingdom
BeGambleAware is a leading resource providing free, confidential support. They offer a live chat service and the National Gambling Helpline, which is available 24/7.
- Helpline: Call 0808 8020 133
- Website: begambleaware.org
- Self-Exclusion: For a multi-operator ban, visit GAMSTOP
- United Kingdom legal gambling age: 18+.
Ontario
For players in Ontario, ConnexOntario provides health services information for people experiencing problems with gambling.
- Helpline: Call 1-866-531-2600
- Text Support: Text 247247
- Website: connexontario.ca
- Ontario legal gambling age: 19+ (the legal age varies by province in Canada).
Australia
Gambling Help Online provides 24/7 support for anyone affected by gambling.
- Helpline: Call 1800 858 858
- Website: gamblinghelponline.org.au
- National Register: Visit BetStop.gov.au to exclude yourself from all licensed interactive wagering services.
- Australia legal gambling age: 18+.
International Support
If you are outside the US, UK, Ontario or Australia, please visit Gamblers Anonymous (international support groups) or seek support through local resources and licensed operators in your jurisdiction.
You can also access Gambling Therapy, an international online support service offering free and multilingual help to anyone affected by problem gambling. Their trained advisers provide confidential support via live chat, forums and self-help tools.
You must meet the legal gambling age in your jurisdiction to participate in any gambling activity.
Need Further Help?
If you have questions about responsible gambling or would like to reach our team directly, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can contact us anytime through our Contact Us page.
Sportsgambler.com provides informational content only and does not accept bets. For more details, please see our Disclaimer, Ownership and Privacy Policy.
If you are in immediate danger or feel at risk of self-harm, contact local emergency services right away.
