Online lotteries make it quick and easy for you to play your favorite games via your phone, tablet, or computer. These games are meant for entertainment, and they certainly can be fun. However, they can also contribute to gambling disorders. Therefore, responsible gambling is paramount when you play lottery games online – both draw games and instant win games.
This guide explains what responsible gambling entails. We will list the common signs that could indicate a gambling problem and provide our top tips to help you enjoy online lottery games responsibly. You will also discover a wide range of responsible gambling resources and tools that all lottery players can access.
What is responsible gambling?
Responsible gambling allows you to enjoy online lottery games in moderation without putting yourself or others at risk of harm.
Jennifer Shatley, executive director of the Responsible Online Gaming Association in Nevada, has previously defined responsible gambling as “taking breaks, not using gambling as a source of income, only gambling with money that you can afford to lose, and setting limits for yourself.”
It is also important to practice responsible gambling at casinos, poker rooms, sportsbooks, fantasy sports apps, and racebooks, both online and in-person.
What are some signs of problem gambling?
We cannot properly diagnose a gambling disorder; only a healthcare professional can do that. However, we have listed some common signs that could potentially indicate a gambling problem.
Growing preoccupied with gambling
Spending too much time focused on gambling is problematic. Lottery games are supposed to be fun. If the fun stops and gambling becomes a grind, it could be time to seek help.
Problem gamblers may feel guilty, frustrated, concerned, or anxious about their gambling habits. They may fluctuate between extreme highs and lows after each win or loss. These are common symptoms of a gambling disorder.
Struggling to stop gambling
If an individual tries to stop gambling or to moderate their gambling but fails to do so, that could also indicate a gambling problem.
Some people may feel compelled to gamble, which they cannot resist. Others may grow irritable when they stop playing their favorite games, causing them to gamble excessively.
It is important to seek professional help if it feels impossible to cut back on gambling or to stop entirely.
Wagering larger sums to obtain the same buzz
Some problem gamblers find that they need to wager increasing sums of money to gain the same thrill they previously enjoyed. This is another dangerous path, as it may lead to substantial losses. In fact, with the long odds of online lottery games, it likely will.
Lying to family and friends about gambling
Individuals with gambling disorders often take various steps to conceal the extent of their gambling. They lie to friends and family about their gambling, which suggests that it is out of control and no longer providing a source of entertainment.
Neglecting work and family commitments
Many problem gamblers skip family occasions, miss social events with friends, and neglect their work or household responsibilities.
Gambling can become all-consuming, causing other areas of one’s life to slip into disarray. If that is the case, it is a sign of a gambling problem that needs to be addressed.
Displaying a lack of interest in other hobbies
Similarly, people may abandon their previous hobbies as they become exclusively focused on gambling. Their physical health may also deteriorate as they stop exercising or making healthy meals to spend more time gambling.
Borrowing or stealing money to gamble
Problem gamblers regularly run into financial difficulties. They may rack up increasing debts to fund their gambling addictions, maxing out credit cards and taking out loans as they chase losses.
Some people end up selling possessions, stealing, or committing fraud to keep gambling. These are very serious issues that indicate a need to seek help.
How to practice responsible gambling while playing the lottery online
Again, we are not licensed to treat anyone with a gambling problem. However, we do want to offer some general tips to help you gamble responsibly while playing online lottery games.
Set limits on your spending
Set a strict playing budget and make sure you stay within it. You could set yourself an annual budget and spread it evenly over the course of the year. For example, if you have a $520 bankroll, you can spend $10 weekly on tickets.
You could also follow a bankroll management process similar to that of casino players and sports bettors. Only risk a small percentage of your budget each time you play a game, such as 1%. That should ensure you have money left over to play again on another day.
Do not spend money you can’t afford to lose
Your budget for online lottery games should not include money you need for rent, bills, food, childcare, or other basic essentials. Do not borrow money to play lottery games, as the odds on these games are never in your favor.
Treat lottery games as a form of entertainment
Lottery games are designed to provide a form of entertainment. There is no way to guarantee success when you play draw games or instant win games, so they should not be treated as a failsafe solution to any financial goals or difficulties you may be experiencing.
If you treat lottery games as a source of entertainment, you are more likely to enjoy them in moderation.
Do not chase your losses
Chasing losses is dangerous when playing online lottery games. That can cause you to gamble excessively, and you may spend more money than you can afford.
Previous losses are not indicative of future success. If you toss a coin and it lands on tails three times in a row, it does not increase the chances of the next coin toss resulting in heads. That is known as the gambler’s fallacy.
The same concept applies to online lottery games. If you go on a losing streak, it does not increase your chances of winning your next attempt. The best response is to simply accept the loss, take a break, and only return when your equilibrium is restored. Avoid the temptation to aggressively chase down losses, as it could land you in trouble.
Do not play online lottery games to escape boredom or stress
You may be tempted to play lottery games when you are bored, as gambling activates the brain’s reward system by releasing dopamine. That can help to alleviate boredom, but it may also lead to compulsive gambling.
Various studies have also linked excessive gambling to stressful life events, so you could be at risk of playing online lottery games to excess when you are stressed.
Responsible gamblers recognize when they are stressed or bored and avoid the temptation to sign into their online lottery accounts at those times.
Avoid playing lottery games when you are angry or under the influence
You are more likely to make bad decisions if you are angry, drunk, or under the influence of drugs. It is best to avoid playing any online lottery games at those times, as you may not be thinking straight, and your usual inhibitions are less likely to hold you back.
That could lead to a great deal of regret when you sober up or cool down, so try to avoid gambling until you are clear-headed, sober, calm, and collected.
Take regular breaks and maintain other interests
Try to take regular breaks from lottery games. That is especially important if you play instant win games like Diggi games in Georgia or eInstants in Pennsylvania.
These games can be engrossing, and monitoring how much you have spent can be hard. So, it is important to step away from the screen after a few minutes, get some fresh air, and have something to eat or drink. Ideally, you should only spend a small portion of your day playing lottery games. It is also helpful to go for prolonged periods of time without gambling at all, such as several consecutive days or weeks.
Responsible gamblers enjoy online lotteries, casinos, and sportsbooks as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle, alongside various other hobbies and interests. They do not allow gambling to encroach upon their relationships and maintain strong friendships and ties to family.
Problem gambling resources for online lottery players
Online lottery players can access a wealth of responsible gambling resources and tools. They fall into three distinct categories:
- The responsible gambling sections and tools available at online lottery sites and apps, including lottery courier services.
- Organizations that combat problem gambling, including nonprofits, charities, treatment providers, helplines, and peer support groups.
- External resources and tools for gamblers, including educational sites, software that blocks gambling sites, and apps that provide ongoing support.
We have discussed the key services and resources within each category below.
Responsible gambling tools at lottery sites and apps
Lottery sites and apps offer comprehensive responsible gambling sections. They offer tips and advice to help you responsibly play games.
You can also set limits on your account, which prevents you from spending too much time or money on lottery games. These tools are available at official lottery sites and apps, plus online lottery courier services.
For specifics on the responsible gambling resources in a specific jurisdiction, see the state guides on PlayiLottery.
Time limits
You can impose time limits on your iLottery account. They typically allow you to set daily, weekly, and monthly limits.
For example, you might restrict yourself to one hour per day or perhaps two hours per week. If you approach that limit, you will receive a notification, and you will then be unable to play for the rest of the day, week, or month.
Deposit limits
Players can also set deposit limits. The best sites and apps allow you to do so immediately after signing up, and you can also set limits in the wallet section at any time.
Once again, the limits are typically available on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. For instance, you could restrict yourself to $10 per day or $50 per week.
You should be able to decrease your deposit limits immediately at any time. However, if you want to increase your limits, you normally need to wait for a period of time, such as 48 hours, before the new limits come into effect. That is designed to prevent players from acting impulsively in the heat of the moment.
Spend limits
You can also set spending limits, which are separate from deposit limits. They restrict your spending on lottery games on a particular day, week, or month.
For example, you could deposit $1,000 but set a spend limit of $20 per day, which will help you stretch out your bankroll over a prolonged period.
Time out periods
If you are concerned about the extent of your gambling, you can request a cooling-off period. A lottery site or app will then prevent you from signing into your account during that time-out period, which can last for a single or several weeks.
Self-exclusion
Problem gamblers can join an online lottery’s self-exclusion program. That will prevent you from signing into your account and playing online lottery games for a set amount of time or the rest of your life.
Each state lottery runs a self-exclusion program, but the length of time you can voluntarily exclude for varies. Here are a few examples:
- In Georgia, you can self-exclude for three months, six months, nine months, or one year. Once that time period has expired, you must request reinstatement. If not, your account will remain suspended indefinitely.
- Players in Kentucky can choose how long they want to self-exclude for, or you can self-exclude permanently and deactivate your account.
- The minimum self-exclusion period in Illinois is five years, and players can call a toll-free hotline to arrange this.
- The Michigan Lottery self-exclusion program has six options: one week, one month, three months, one year, or two years.
- In New Hampshire, players can self-exclude for one month, three months, or six months.
- Players in Pennsylvania can self-exclude from online lottery games for six months, one year, or five years.
- In Virginia, you can self-exclude for two years, five years, or a lifetime.
During this period, you will be unable to access your account. Voluntary exclusion is only available for online play and will not cover in-person lottery ticket purchases.
Organizations that provide support
Anyone suffering from a gambling problem can access support groups, helplines, counseling, outpatient treatment programs, and inpatient treatment programs. These are some of the best resources for anyone who needs support.
National Council on Problem Gambling
This nonprofit organization was founded in Washington, DC in 1972. The NCPG takes a neutral stance on gambling, and it focuses solely on advocating for problem gamblers and their families.
The organization runs a national problem gambling helpline. You can call 1-800-GAMBLER or text 800GAM anytime if you need support. All calls are strictly confidential. There is also an online chat service. The NCPG site also offers a problem gambling self-assessment quiz, which can help you decide if it’s time to consider changes or seek support for your behavior.
There are local NCPG affiliates in most states, from the Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling to the Wyoming Council on Problem Gambling. You can visit the main NCPG site and select your state to browse the local resources.
When you land on your local site, you will often find details of a statewide helpline and information about local meetings for peer support groups, such as Gamblers Anonymous and GamAnon. They can also suggest local counselors for problem gamblers.
State governments
State governments also invest in problem gambling services. For example, the Illinois Department of Human Services funds gambling treatment, prevention, and recovery services.
There are similar services across the country, so it is always worth checking to see if you can benefit from state-funded treatment programs if you need help with a gambling problem.
Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous is an international fellowship of compulsive gamblers. The organization was founded in Los Angeles in 1957. Gamblers Anonymous adopts a similar 12-step process to Alcoholics Anonymous.
There are local Gamblers Anonymous meetings in 47 states, with the only exceptions being Alaska, Vermont, and Wyoming. You can find your local meetings by selecting your city and state in the database.
Players can also complete a 20-question self-assessment quiz at Gamblers Anonymous, which will help you determine whether you are a compulsive gambler.
Gam-Anon
GamAnon is designed to provide support for spouses, partners, siblings, children, or friends of compulsive gamblers. You will often find that GamAnon and Gamblers Anonymous meetings are held on the same nights but in separate rooms.
All meetings are confidential, providing friends and family members of compulsive gamblers with a safe space to share their problems or concerns and support one another.
GamTalk
GamTalk is similar to Gamblers Anonymous, as it allows problem gamblers to support one another on their path to recovery. However, the focus is on online chat rooms rather than physical meetings.
For that reason, GamTalk may be more convenient for players, as you can access support anytime, no matter where you are. Chat rooms are focused on sharing recovery struggles, victories, and everything in between. The site also hosts stories of hope and links to treatment and support agencies.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline
This toll-free, confidential helpline is available 24/7. You can call 1-800-662-HELP to receive phone support in English or Spanish.
The service is designed for individuals facing mental or substance use disorders, and that can include gambling problems. Callers will be referred to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
Online resources and apps
There are also various websites and apps for problem gamblers or anyone who simply wants to learn more about responsible gambling. These are some of the best sites, apps, and tools you can use.
Gamesense
GameSense is an online learning hub created by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation in Canada. Various lotteries, online casinos, and online sportsbooks use the site under license.
This learning hub is divided into four sections: the lottery, sports betting, table games, and slots. If you select the lottery tab, you will find information about how lottery draw games, scratchers, and instant win games work, including the odds of winning, the house edge, and so on.
Gamban
Gamban is a blocker that can be installed on all your devices, including phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. Problem gamblers rely on Gamban to stop them from playing when their willpower slips.
The software blocks online lotteries, sportsbooks, casinos, poker rooms, bingo, and trading platforms. Users can track their progress, implement layered protection, and receive support and resources to aid their recovery.
Gamban has more than 35,000 global users and has blocked over 100,000 websites and 4,000 apps. Alternative blockers, such as BetBlocker, exist.
Gamble Responsibly America
This free app offers a wealth of information about problem gambling. Entain, the co-owner of BetMGM, launched the app via a non-profit called The Entain Foundation US.
Lottery players can download the Gamble Responsibly America app via the App Store or Google Play. The app allows you to assess your gambling behavior, provides advice on how to protect yourself from gambling harm, and provides links to organizations that support individuals with gambling problems.
Gambling Addiction Calendar
This is another free app for anyone with a gambling problem, but it offers in-app purchases. You can use the app to track how much time and money you have saved since quitting gambling.
The app also features various facts about the benefits of quitting gambling. There is a panic button, which will text a friend who can help if you feel compelled to gamble. In addition, there is a distractions section to take your mind off that compulsion.
Our commitment
PlayiLottery strongly supports responsible gambling. These are some of our key goals:
- Educate readers on the harms associated with compulsive gambling, the services and resources available to problem gamblers, and the inherent house edge that lottery games carry.
- Shine a light on legal iLottery sites that take responsible gambling seriously.
- Steer players away from unlicensed, untrustworthy gambling sites.
We focus heavily on responsible gambling in our reviews, news, and features. Our experts only recommend safe, reputable, licensed sites and apps that offer robust responsible gambling tools.
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