Responsible Gambling
At Peace Corps Writers Casinos, we believe that gambling should be an enjoyable form of entertainment, not a source of financial stress or personal harm. We are committed to promoting responsible gambling practices and providing resources to help players who may be experiencing problems with their gambling behavior.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Free, confidential, and multilingual.
Call, text, or chat at ncpgambling.org
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can develop gradually and may be difficult to recognize. If you or someone you know exhibits any of the following behaviors, it may be time to seek help:
- Spending more money on gambling than you can afford to lose
- Borrowing money, selling possessions, or going into debt to fund gambling
- Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling
- Chasing losses by gambling more to try to win back money you have lost
- Lying to family members, friends, or others about the extent of your gambling
- Neglecting work, school, family responsibilities, or personal health because of gambling
- Gambling to escape problems, relieve anxiety, or cope with feelings of depression
- Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the same level of excitement
- Making repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling
- Jeopardizing or losing important relationships, jobs, or educational opportunities because of gambling
- Relying on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling
Experiencing even one or two of these signs does not necessarily mean you have a gambling disorder, but it is worth reflecting on your behavior and considering whether gambling is affecting your quality of life.
Tips for Responsible Gambling
If you choose to gamble, the following guidelines can help you maintain control and keep gambling enjoyable:
- Set a budget before you play. Decide how much money you are willing to spend before you start gambling, and stick to that amount. Never gamble with money you need for rent, bills, groceries, or other essential expenses.
- Set a time limit. Decide in advance how long you will play and stop when that time is up, regardless of whether you are winning or losing.
- Never chase losses. If you lose your budget, accept the loss and walk away. Trying to win back lost money almost always leads to larger losses.
- Do not gamble under the influence. Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and can lead to reckless gambling decisions.
- Take regular breaks. Step away from the screen periodically to maintain perspective.
- Balance gambling with other activities. Gambling should not be your primary form of entertainment or social interaction.
- Understand the odds. Casino games are designed to give the house an edge. Over time, the house always wins. Accept that losing is part of gambling.
- Use responsible gambling tools. Most reputable online casinos offer deposit limits, loss limits, session time reminders, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion options. Use them.
Self-Exclusion Tools
Self-exclusion is a voluntary process where you request to be banned from gambling for a specified period. Most online casinos offer self-exclusion directly through their account settings. Additionally, many US states offer statewide self-exclusion programs:
Washington State Self-Exclusion: The Washington State Gambling Commission offers a voluntary self-exclusion program for problem gamblers. You can request self-exclusion from all state-licensed gambling establishments. Visit wsgc.wa.gov for details and enrollment forms.
When you self-exclude from an online casino, the operator is required to close your account, return any remaining balance, and prevent you from opening a new account during the exclusion period. Self-exclusion periods typically range from 6 months to 5 years, with some programs offering lifetime exclusion.
Support Organizations and Resources
The following organizations provide free, confidential support for individuals affected by problem gambling:
The NCPG operates the national helpline and provides resources, referrals, and support for problem gamblers and their families. Available 24/7 via phone, text, or online chat.
Phone: 1-800-522-4700
Text: 1-800-522-4700
ncpgambling.orgA fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope to solve their common problem of compulsive gambling. Free meetings are available in-person and online nationwide.
gamblersanonymous.orgA 12-step self-help fellowship for the families and close friends of compulsive gamblers. Provides support for those affected by someone else's gambling problem.
gam-anon.orgThe Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a free, confidential helpline for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders, including gambling addiction.
Phone: 1-800-662-4357
samhsa.govWashington State Resources
For players in Washington State, the following local resources are available:
- Washington State Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-547-6133
- Washington State Gambling Commission: wsgc.wa.gov — Information on state gambling laws, self-exclusion programs, and consumer protection.
- Washington State Department of Health: Problem Gambling Resources
- Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling: evergreencpg.org — Washington-based nonprofit providing treatment referrals, prevention programs, and public awareness campaigns.
Underage Gambling Prevention
Gambling is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 in the United States. It is a criminal offense in most jurisdictions for anyone under the legal gambling age to participate in online gambling. We take underage gambling prevention seriously:
- Our Site displays a 21+ age badge on every page.
- All casinos on our toplist are required to verify the age and identity of their players through KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures.
- If you are a parent or guardian, we recommend using parental control software to restrict access to gambling websites. Tools such as Net Nanny, CyberPatrol, and built-in browser parental controls can help prevent minors from accessing gambling content.
Our Commitment
Peace Corps Writers Casinos is committed to promoting responsible gambling across all of our content. We only recommend casinos that provide responsible gambling tools, including deposit limits, session reminders, and self-exclusion options. If we discover that a listed casino is not adequately supporting responsible gambling practices, we will remove it from our rankings.
If you have concerns about any of the casinos listed on our site with respect to responsible gambling practices, please contact us and we will investigate.
National Problem Gambling Helpline — 24/7, free, and confidential.
You are not alone. Help is available.