The page we hope you never need.

National resources

• National Council on Problem Gambling (ncpgambling.org) — the national helpline (1-800-GAMBLER by call or text), live chat, screening tools, and a directory of state resources and counselors.
• Gamblers Anonymous (gamblersanonymous.org) — free peer-support meetings, in person and online, in every state. The 20 Questions on their site is a blunt, useful self-check.
• Gam-Anon (gam-anon.org) — support for spouses, family, and friends of problem gamblers. If it’s someone you love, this one is for you.

Self-exclusion and blocking tools

If you want a hard stop rather than willpower, these options put real distance between you and the games:

• In-app limits and self-exclusion. Most sweepstakes casinos offer purchase limits, cool-off periods, and permanent self-exclusion in account settings or via support. Use them — they’re binding on the operator’s side.
• State self-exclusion programs. Many US states run self-exclusion registries covering licensed gambling in that state. Your state’s gaming commission website — or the state directory at ncpgambling.org — lists how to enroll.
• Device-level blockers. Software such as Gamban and the free BetBlocker blocks gambling sites and apps across your devices for a period you choose — including sweepstakes casinos.
• Money-side friction. Some banks let you block gambling-coded card transactions. It won’t catch everything in the sweeps world, but friction helps.

Signs it may be a problem

Any of these sound familiar — in yourself or someone close — take the free screen at ncpgambling.org or call the helpline:

• Spending more money or time than you planned, repeatedly.
• Chasing losses — playing to “win it back.”
• Hiding play or purchases from your partner or family.
• Gambling with money needed for bills, groceries, or the kids.
• Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut back.
• Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, or low moods.
• Borrowing money, selling things, or dipping into savings to keep playing.
• Telling yourself a betting system or a “due” win will fix it. (Our own Strategy Lab exists to show you, mathematically, that it won’t.)

A note on sweepstakes casinos specifically

“Free to play” does not mean risk-free. Sweepstakes casinos are built around the same reel math, the same near-misses, and the same dopamine loops as real-money slots — and most sell coin packages. If the free coins ever stop being enough and purchases start feeling necessary, treat that as the warning sign it is.