Responsible Gaming Tools at Legal Online Casinos in the US

Every legal online casino in the United States will offer players a myriad of ways to limit time or money spent on the site as part of the operator’s overarching responsible gambling measures.

In our Casino Shield Guide to Responsible Gambling Tools, we will outline what tools are available to you, what they do, and how they can help keep gambling fun, safe, and under control.

Luckily, responsible gambling tools are incorporated into all legal and regulated online casinos in the US and are designed to let players stay in control of both their time and money spent on the site. It is one of the primary reasons why it is so important to always gamble on a regulated site. As much as keeping your money safe and ensuring fair and quality games, online casinos will have to make sure they are offering players ways to easily step away from the action.

The tools on offer at each online casino do vary. However, the main responsible gambling tools you will find at a legal online casino in the US will include:

• Time Limits: Setting a time limit means once you have spent the allotted time on the site, it will cut off your ability to play further, forcing you to sit out of any further actions for a predetermined period of time. For example, a time limit of 1 hour per day means that after your allotted hour is up, you will not be allowed to gamble again until the next day.
• Deposit Limits: This allows a player to predetermine how much they can spend on a site by day, week, or month. Once a deposit limit is set, the site will not let you deposit any further funds until the time period has elapsed.
• Time Outs & Account Cool Off: This is an enforced period of time where players are forced to sit out and, during that time, they cannot place bets on the site and is less committal than self-excluding from a site. For example, a player may opt to restrict their gambling to weekends only so they set a Time Out for five days, so it doesn’t interfere with their work during the week. Or a player may choose to block their access while on holiday so it isn’t a distraction. Or they may simply feel like they need a bit of a break or a breather and cool off for a few days or weeks or more.
• Self-Exclusion: This is probably the most extreme, but most effective way of stepping away from the action. Self-Exclusion is where a player voluntarily chooses to be excluded from the online casino — or online poker room or sportsbook — for a set period of time, be it months, years, or even a lifetime. It essentially bans the player from being able to log in, deposit, or play on the online casino once they have self-excluded. Players can also self-exclude from in-person casinos as well, so the casino cannot legally allow them to participate in any gambling activity there either.

These responsible gaming tools are all effective ways to help players stay in control of the time and money they spend on a gambling site.

Why 'Legal’ Means A Safe and Secure Gambling Environment

Legal online casinos have a responsibility to provide a safe and secure gaming environment to all their players. Some of the ways in which they protect their players include:

• Information Security: Players’ identity, banking, account details, and passwords must be secure at all times. Legal online casinos will ensure that all sensitive personal information is kept safe and confidential using SSL encryption technology. You never have to worry about your information being sold or otherwise compromised, as you would on an illegitimate, risky offshore site.
• Identity Verification: Identity verification is essential in preventing underage gambling and all legal sites will ask players to verify their ages before deposits can be made. Identity verification also allows the online casino to protect players against fraud, identity theft, money laundering, and any other criminal activity.
• Ethical Advertising: States will dictate the rules and regulations around all advertising so that it is done in the most ethical way possible and not targeted to minors.

Responsible Gaming Tools Available At Online Casinos

Here, we break down all the responsible gaming tools available at legal online casinos in the United States, as each online casino offers something slightly different.

Self-exclusion is always available at the state level and players can contact the appropriate government department to be excluded from all casinos and/or sportsbooks in their area.

For more information on how to self-exclude, read our Casino Shield State-by-State Guide to Self-Exclusion

Who To Call If You Have A Problem With Gambling

There are plenty of nationwide gambling addiction resources available to you if you fear you may have a problem with your gambling habits at online casinos, poker rooms, or sportsbooks such as the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), which can give you quick access to state gambling resources.

Some of the most well-known national organizations include:

• National Problem Gambling Helpline
• Gamblers Anonymous
• Gam-Anon
• GamTalk

Here is a handy list of all the state gambling help hotline numbers.

FAQ: Your Responsible Gaming Questions Answered

What does “Play Time Limit” mean at an online casino in the US?

A Time Limit is where you can set a predetermined limit on how long you can stay playing on the site. You will be enforced to sit out once you have reached the allotted time spent at the online casino. For example, if you set your Time Limit to three hours per week, whether you spend those three hours all on one day or spread out, once you have completed three hours of play, you will be not be allowed to gamble again until the following week, when a new time period with a new allotment of gamble time opens.

What does 'Deposit Limit’ mean at an online casino in the US?

This helpful tool helps you to stay in control of your spending and not risk gambling away funds you may need for other expenses by going over your budget. A Deposit Limit allows you to choose the maximum amount you can deposit into your account, usually by day, week, or month. The casino will not allow you to deposit ore until the next time period opens up. This ensures that a player can stay within their means and not chase losses and keep spending once their limit has been reached.

What does 'Self-Exclude’ mean?

Self-Exclusion means that you are voluntarily asking to be temporarily (or permanently) blocked from all gambling activity at a particular casino or online gambling site. You can also self-exclude at the state level where you ask to be banned from all casinos and gambling establishments in the entire state. You can also self exclude for 6 months, multiple years, or request a lifetime ban. Should you change your mind down the road, you can typically un-self-exclude yourself by going through a particular process to do so.

How Do I Self-Exclude from an online casino?

You can self-exclude from an online casino, either through the casino directly, or at the state level. Most online casinos offer a self-exclusion option on their website or app directly, making it an easy process that can be completed in just a few minutes. You can also contact the casino’s customer service to request to be self-excluded. You can also request self-exclusion at the state level, which can allow you to exclude yourself from all casinos or gambling establishments in the state. Each state offers assistance with self-exclusion and you can find a full state-by-state list in our Casino Shield Guide To Responsible Gaming and Gambling Addiction which has numbers and email addresses of who to call.

What is an 'Account Cooling-Off Period’?

A Cooling-Off Period is usually anywhere from 24 hours up to 6 weeks where a player will temporarily be banned from logging into a site. This is perfect for giving a player breathing space if they need it. It can also be a helpful tool for times when work, family, or life gets busy and you want to make sure you are not distracted.

What is a 'Time Out’ at an online casino?

A Time Out is basically another term online casinos use when talking about a Cooling-Off Period. It is an enforced predetermined period of time away from the games and tables, allowing a player to step away from the action. A player must opt into a Time Out or Cooling-Off Period — which can usually be set to any time of your choosing, between 24 hours and 6 weeks — and can usually be set conveniently through the website or app.

What responsible gaming tools are available at online sportsbooks in the US?

Legal online sports betting sites in the US offer much the same tools as online casinos, including time outs and cooling-off periods, spend and time limits, and the option to self-exclude. For players struggling with their sports wagering, we recommend you check out our sister site Sports Shield’s Guide to Responsible Gaming Tools at Legal Online Sportsbooks in the US for in-depth information on sports-specific tools and resources available.

What are the responsible gambling tools at 888casino?

888casino has a full suite of responsible gambling tools. Players can control deposit limits, playtime limits, time outs, and can even self-exclude from being allowed to play on the site.

What are the responsible gambling tools at BetMGM Casino?

While BetMGM does allow players to set deposit limits and gives them the option to self-exclude from the site, it does not provide the responsible gambling tools to allow for setting time limits, time outs, or cooling-off periods when playing on the site.

What are the responsible gambling tools at BetRivers?

BetRivers allows players to stay in control of their spending and playing by offering time limits, deposit limits, as well as an option for time outs. Players can even self-exclude from being allowed to play on the site.

What are the responsible gaming tools at Borgata Casino?

Borgata Casino also has a full suite of responsible gambling tools. Players can control deposit limits, playtime limits, time outs, and can even self-exclude from being allowed to play on the site.

What are the responsible gambling tools at Caesars Casino?

Caesars Casino has a full collection of responsible gambling tools. Players can control deposit limits, playtime limits, time outs, and can even self-exclude from being allowed to play on the site.

What are the responsible gambling tools at Delaware Park Casino?

At Delaware Park Casino, players can set playtime limits, deposit limits, and can cool off from the games with time outs. However, they cannot self-exclude directly from the site. Players who wish to self-exclude will need to do so via the state. Players can find resources for self-exclusion via the Delaware state regulator page.

What are the responsible gaming tools at DraftKings Casino?

DraftKings Casino allows players to stay in control of their spending and playing by offering time limits, deposit limits, as well as an option for time outs. Players can even self-exclude from being allowed to play on the site.

What are the responsible gambling tools at Dover Downs?

At Dover Downs Casino, players can set playtime limits, deposit limits and can cool off from the games with time outs. However, they cannot self-exclude directly from the site, and players who wish to self-exclude will need to do so via the state. Players can find resources for self-exclusion on the Delaware state regulator page.

What are the responsible gambling tools at FanDuel Casino?

At FanDuel Casino players can set time limits, deposit limits and can cool off from the games with time outs. However, they cannot self-exclude directly from the site and needs to be done via the state in which you are playing. State problem gambling information can be found above or in our Casino Shield Guide To Problem Gambling.

What are the responsible gaming tools at Stars Casino?

Players can self-exclude and set deposit limits on PokerStars’ Stars Casino and provides a full suite of responsible gambling tools. Players can control deposit limits, playtime limits, time outs, and can even self exclude from being allowed to play on the site.

What are the responsible gambling tools at partycasino?

partycasino helps players stay in control by offering options for play limits and time limits. This casino also allows players to take a break with a time out or cooling-off period and for those that need a longer break, there’s a convenient option to self-exclude directly on the site.

What are the responsible gambling tools at Parx Casino?

At Parx Casino, players can set time limits, deposit limits, and can cool off from the games with time outs. However, they cannot self-exclude directly from the site and needs to do so via the state in which they are playing. State problem gambling information can be found above or in our Casino Shield Guide To Responsible Gaming & Gambling Addiction.

What are the responsible gambling tools at PlaySugarHouse Casino?

PlaySugarHouse Casino offers a full range of responsible gambling tools. Players can control their deposit limits, time limits, opt into time outs, and can even self-exclude from being allowed to play on the site.

What are the responsible gambling tools at Harrington Raceway Casino?

At Harrington Raceway Casino, players can set both play time limits and deposit limits, as ell as cool off from the games with time outs. Players who wish to self-exclude will need to do so via the state. Players can find resources for self-exclusion via the Delaware state regulator page.

What are the responsible gambling tools at Tropicana Casino?

Tropicana Casino offers a full range of responsible gambling tools. Players can control their deposit limits, time limits, opt into time outs, and can even self-exclude from being allowed to play on the site.

What are the responsible gambling tools at Unibet Casino?

Apart from offering time outs, Unibet Casinos give players a wide range of responsible gaming tools. Players can limit how much time they can play, how much they can deposit, and can also self-exclude from playing on the site if they so wish.

What are the responsible gambling tools at Virgin Casino?

Virgin Casino also offers a full suite of responsible gambling tools. Players can control their deposit limits, time limits, take breaks with time outs, and can even self-exclude from being allowed to play on the site.

What are the responsible gambling tools at WynnBET Casino?

WynnBET Casino allows players to stay in control of their spending and playing by offering time limits, deposit limits, as well as an option for time outs. Players can even self-exclude from being allowed to play on the site.

What are the responsible gambling tools at William Hill Casino?

William Hill Casino provides a full suite of responsible gambling tools. Players can control deposit limits, playtime limits, time outs, and can even self exclude from being allowed to play on the site.