Responsible gambling: help, limits and self-exclusion

Who can I call or text?

The National Problem Gambling Helpline is 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738). You can call, text the same number, or chat online, at any hour of any day. NCPG says the helpline is free and confidential. NCPG adopted this number on 29 January 2026; its older line, 1-800-522-4700, also still works (NCPG's announcement). Older guides may still print 1-800-GAMBLER, so use 1-800-MY-RESET.

• NCPG's state-by-state list links to each state's own resources.
• Gamblers Anonymous offers peer support meetings and a short self-check of 20 questions.
• If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, now.

How old do I have to be?

Sportsbooks require you to be 21 or older in nearly every state, and you must be in a state where the venue is legal when you place the bet. SlateProof's availability data (checked October 5, 2026) lists these lower ages and exchange ages:

• DraftKings lists 18+ in DC, KY, NH and WY.
• FanDuel lists 18+ in DC.
• Washington, DC lists 18+ for sportsbooks.
• Kalshi, Polymarket US and ProphetX list 18+.
• Novig lists 21+.

The age that applies to you is set by your state's law and by the venue's own terms, and venues check identity. If you are under it, do not bet. The venue's own app has the final say. The state hub shows which venues operate where.

What limits and self-exclusion tools exist?

Licensed sportsbooks generally let you set deposit limits, take a time-out, get session reminders, and exclude yourself, usually under responsible gaming in the app's settings. Set limits before you start, not after a loss.

Self-exclusion is a request to be blocked from betting for a period you choose, or for good. Where your state runs a statewide list, one request covers every licensed operator in the state; where it does not, you ask each operator separately. Periods, whether you can end one early, and what it covers differ by state, so check your state's gaming regulator and NCPG's page for your state. Excluding yourself at one venue does not stop you betting at another.

Prediction-market exchanges (Kalshi, Polymarket US, Novig and ProphetX) are federally regulated rather than licensed by state gaming regulators, so a state self-exclusion list may not apply to them. Ask each venue what limits and account-closure options it offers.

SlateProof holds no money and cannot set a limit for you at a venue. If you connect an exchange to your SlateProof account, you can set a maximum for one one-click order (default $100). That caps a single click, not what you spend overall.

What are the warning signs?

• Betting more than you planned, or more than you can afford to lose.
• Chasing losses: betting more to win back what you lost.
• Borrowing, selling things or using money meant for bills to bet.
• Hiding or lying about how much you bet.
• Feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut down.
• Thinking about betting much of the time, or betting to escape stress or low mood.
• Arguments, missed work or strained relationships because of betting.

Several of these together are a reason to talk to someone. Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET, or try the self-check at Gamblers Anonymous.

Why does SlateProof's math not make betting safe?

Arbitrage, promo hedges and expected-value screens can look like a way around luck. They are not income, and they still need discipline.

• Margins are thin. Arbitrage margins are typically around 1%, and a locked profit holds only if every leg is accepted at the price shown. Venues limit accounts, cap stakes and void bets, and prices move while you place the legs.
• Positive expected value can still lose. The watch list is unproven; do not stake money you cannot afford to lose because of it.
• Never chase losses, and do not deposit more to claim a promotion. A promotion is worth what the math says; it is not a reason to bet more than you planned.
• Decide your budget first. The $500 default arbitrage total on the dashboard is a placeholder you can change, not a recommendation. Bet only money you can afford to lose.
• Do not let a timer rush you. If a move looks urgent, skip it. There will be another.

Taxes. Gambling winnings are taxable. Since 2026 only 90% of gambling losses are deductible, only if you itemize, and only up to your winnings (26 U.S.C. 165(d); IRS Topic 419 on itemizing). So a bettor who breaks even can still owe tax, and thin arbitrage margins can turn negative after tax. This is not tax advice; ask a tax professional.