Two Resources to Help You Keep Online Gambling Responsible
Published: January 22, 2024
The ability to gamble from anywhere at any time with an internet connection is convenient and more popular than ever. Online gambling can include betting at online casinos, websites, and apps. Individuals can play virtual slot machines, table games, card games, and more, all from the comfort of their own homes.
This form of gambling has been growing over the last few years. According to a recent survey, 15 percent of those who gamble in Ohio now engage in online betting. With that statistic in mind, how can Ohioans keep online betting responsible? It starts with setting limits, recognizing the risks, and knowing when to stop.
Many online platforms actually provide a way for you to set limits directly on their site or app. It is normally located in your account settings. You can set limits on how often you can engage with the platform, how long you’re allowed to play, or the max amount you can wager.
As gambling in Ohio continues to expand, getting the word out about responsible betting and gambling practices is more important than ever. If you or your organization want to get involved, access these resources:
- Ohio’s Problem Gambling Helpline Toolkit: Ohio’s free 24/7 Problem Gambling Helpline is an invaluable resource to make sure that people can access help when they need it. To promote the Helpline, Pause Before You Play has developed a toolkit of resources that includes digital advertisements, fliers, posters, and more that can be co-branded for use by community organizations. Helpline calls are answered by trained and understanding specialists who can offer free and confidential support 24/7 at 1-800-589-9966 or by texting 4HOPE to 741741.
- Time Out Ohio: The Time Out Ohio Voluntary Program offers individuals the ability to voluntarily ban themselves from Ohio’s casinos, Ohio racinos, and Ohio sports gaming for a specific amount of time. The program is administered by the Ohio Casino Control and the Ohio Lottery Commissions and can be a great resource for those who want to make a change in their gambling behavior. Enrolling today lets you receive a full year’s subscription to GamBan, which blocks access to gambling sites and apps.
Looking for additional help and resources? Pause Before You Play provides listings for free treatment organizations, programs, and support groups across the entire state, as well as toolkits that can be used to communicate the value of responsible gambling to specific audiences.
Access the Get Help page to find online listings for support groups, financial education resources, and more, and the Community Toolkit page to access toolkits for seniors, veterans, and other audiences.