There are various resources available to assist individuals who have developed a problematic relationship with gambling. While certainly important, the truism of prevention is the best medicine must not be ignored if America is to climb out of the public health crisis that is spurred by the rise of digitized casino gaming and sports betting. The problem gambling prevention plan provided below answers that call. It is for individuals who have made a conscious decision to participate in online gambling, yet recognize that there is a risk involved that spans beyond financial stakes. In adopting precautionary measures, generally healthy individuals may enjoy gambling activities as a form of entertainment and know when to pump the brakes, if needed.
Problem Gambling Prevention Plan for People Who Want to Participate in Online Casino Gaming / Sports Betting in a Healthy Responsible Manner
I. Identify Operators to Avoid
Who you choose to gamble online with plays a very important role in problem gambling prevention. There are operators who have pledged to meet or even exceed Responsible Gambling mandates set forth by state regulators and those suggested by behavioral health specialists. Then, there are those who essentially slap a “Responsible Gambling” message in the fine print of their websites and leave the rest to the discretion of their players. The latter is exhibited by operators from the unregulated offshore market. Not only are these offshore operators not beholden to state regulator mandates, their websites exhibit dark pattern UX design (view details) that encourage players to gamble more in increasing volume and frequency without regard to financial and behavioral wellbeing.
In your journey into gambling entertainment you may come across a select group of popular unregulated offshore gambling sites. We have identified the more commonly used ones, a number of which have recently received cease and desist letters from state regulators (for example). They actively solicit U.S. players through affiliate partnerships and offer online casino gaming and/or sports betting. Do not register with or use any of them:
- BetNow
- BetOnline
- BetUS
- Bovada (*)
- Everygame
- MyBookie
- MVP Bet
- Nitrobetting
- Sportsbetting.ag
- TopBet
- Other (how to identify them)
II. Know the Tools Provided by Approved Operators
Examples of regulated operators who have shown a dedication to protecting player financial and behavioral wellbeing include the likes of BetMGM (view details), DraftKings (view), and FanDuel (view). Others are following suit as we enter 2026. Each has integrated tools into their apps and websites that are available for players to use as a part of their problem gambling prevention strategy. These tools intend to help catch potential issues, including those that may not be evident on the surface. The following quote from an operator representative at the recent Ohio State University panel titled “Betting Beyond Your Means: The Cost of Problem Gambling” explains the fundamental change taking place in the industry:
“One, is putting in place controls and resources for our users. We’ve got real time check-in, which uses machine learning to estimate what anyone is going to deposit on any given day, and tell them they should consider depositing less if they deposit more than their estimation. We’ve got deposit limits and wager limits, and time limits, and all sorts of controls to empower people to control their own play. We also have MySpend so that they can look over the last month, and say ‘Did I actually deposit $600? I thought I only deposited $200.’. So we’re serving that right in the product monthly so you can really take a look at what you’re doing. So that’s one. Number two is creating a culture of responsible gaming. That’s being here and talking about these tools and making sure people know that they should be using these tools and knowing about the resources, having that in place. And the third one is leading the industry to make sure we all do that.” (Ohio State University | Cost of Problem Gambling)
The call to action here is clear. Only gamble with state regulated and approved operators, and get to know the player protection tools that they have put in place before you use or continue to use their casino gaming and sports betting products. If you are unable to find these tools, follow this guide on How to Find Self-Exclusion Programs on Gambling Sites, which will generally lead to all of the Responsible Gambling tools that they offer.
And remember, these tools aren’t just intended for players who already have a problem, but those who want to prevent one from developing:
“I think one of the battles, is how to get people to understand that when they play they need to need to put in guardrails. When I’m doing my research and I ask people about the tools that are available and we ask who those tools are for, most people say that they’re for people who have problems, and that’s not what they’re there for. They’re not intervention tools, they’re prevention tools” (Michael J. A. Wohl, Ph.D)
III. Know the Tools Provided by Your Devices
Interestingly, a compulsion to use one’s phone may encourage an individual to gamble online when they put their device down to take a break from casino gaming or sports betting. In other words, there may not be an incarnation of problematic gambling behavior, but the manifestation of digital device addiction. That, or the two may cooccur.
At the aforementioned Ohio State University panel on the Cost of Problem Gambling, Kindbridge Behavioral Health’s Daniel Umfleet referenced how this compulsion to simply pick up our digital devices can disrupt time at work or with family (etc.):
“Everything you do is overridden by that phone. It’s a problem. So if you’re spending an inordinate amount of time doing just various random things for the sake of it, you’re trying to get your brain activated. You’re pleasure seeking in some way, shape, or form. So pay attention to how many times a day you’re picking your phone up.”
Among the “various random things” one may do on their phone, is gambling more than they intended. So as Umfleet suggests, integrate protocols to manage smartphone usage in your problem gambling prevention plan. In the same manner that regulated gambling operators have tools in place to help ensure a healthier gambling experience, individuals need to be aware of the built-in responsible-use tools on their devices:
- Built-in tools to limit screen time on iPad and iPhone
- Built-in tools to limit screen time on Android
Further, perform a search within your Apple or Google Play store to find and download apps that allow adults to limit usage based on time and the types of online content consumed.
IV. Identify Your Risk Classification
We also encourage you to dig a bit deeper to develop your problem gambling prevention plan. Everything detailed above can be very effective for individuals who are generally in good shape from a mental health perspective. However, those who may have underlying issues may be predisposed to problematic gambling behavior and likely need to opt out of gambling altogether. If you exhibit or suspect that you have any of the following, avoid casino gaming and sports betting:
*Click on each condition/disorder to learn more.
V. Regular Involvement in Wellness Counseling
Above, we quoted Michael J. A. Wohl, Ph.D; “They’re not intervention tools, they’re prevention tools” which referenced that players need to stop looking at operator provided guardrails as tools for problem gamblers, but tools for healthy gamblers. People regularly engaged in any pleasure seeking activity (gambling included) need to look at online counseling in the very same manner. By making online counseling a part of your overall health and wellness strategy, you make it a part of your gambling prevention plan by default. Ongoing online counseling empowers you with an ability to be more mindful of your emotions, feelings, actions, and behaviors. Together with your counselor (and/or group) you will learn how to detect if/when potential for problematic gambling behavior exists, and take steps to prevent its manifestation.
Explore wellness counseling options available on our virtual platform right here.
