Play responsibly

Here's how to keep lottery gaming fun, and what to do if it's becoming problematic.

Playing lottery should be fun

LotteryUSA.com encourages responsible lottery play. Lottery games are designed to entertain players while providing additional funds for social, education, and health programs. If you find that playing the lottery is starting to negatively impact your life, or that of those around you, there is help available.

This negative impact can be seen in different areas of your life including your health, relationships, career, and finances. If you find yourself in this situation, remember that it is perfectly normal to need help and that reaching out is often the best way to move forward.

If playing the lottery is negatively affecting your life, there is help available for you 24/7. Professionals will help you overcome this situation confidentially and without judgment. The National Council on Problem Gambling operates a 24-hour helpline available across all 50 states as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands.



Play responsibly and problem gambling FAQs

What is problem gambling?

Problem gambling occurs when an individual continues their gambling behavior despite harmful consequences in their relationships, career, or finances.


How do I know if I have a gambling problem?

Common symptoms of problem gambling include lying about your gambling behavior, the urge to bet increasing amounts of money, and an inability to stop or control gambling despite negative consequences.


How bad can problem gambling become?

Severe problem gambling may be diagnosed as clinical pathological gambling if the gambler meets certain criteria. Extreme cases of problem gambling may result in financial ruin, legal issues, loss of relationships and career, or suicide.


Is problem gambling the result of irresponsible or weak-willed people?

Not at all. No one who gambles is immune to developing a problem. This problem is very hard – sometimes even impossible – to tackle alone, regardless of how strong-willed you are. This is why reaching out for help is so important.


What causes problem gambling?

There are many factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing problem gambling. These can include genetic predispositions to addictive behaviors as well as their upbringing and family life.


How often do you have to play or how much money do you have to spend before gambling becomes a problem?

How often someone plays or how much they have spent or won playing the lottery does not determine the existence of a problem. Problem gambling becomes an issue as soon as it starts to have a negative impact on any area of an individual’s life or the lives of those around them.


Play responsibly resources by state

STATE ORGANIZATION PHONE
Arizona Arizona Division of Problem Gambling
(800) 639-8783
Arkansas Problem Gambling Resources in Arkansas
(800) 522-4700
California The Office of Problem Gambling in California
(800) 4262-537
Colorado Colorado Lottery Problem Gambling Resources
(800) 522-4700
Connecticut Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling
(888) 789-7777
Delaware Delaware Council on Gambling Problems
(888) 850-8888
District of Columbia Problem Gambling Resources in District of Columbia
(800) 522-4700
Florida Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling
(888) 236-4848
Georgia Georgia Crisis and Access Line
(866) 922-7369
Idaho Problem Gambling Resources in Idaho
(800) 522-4700
Illinois Illinois Lottery Problem Gambling Resources
(800) 426-2537
Indiana Indiana Gambling Hotline
(800) 994-8448
Iowa Iowa Gambling Treatment Program
(800) 238-7633
Kansas Kansas Coalition on Problem Gambling
(800) 522-4700
Kentucky Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling
(800) 426-2537
Louisiana Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling
(877) 770-7867
Maine 211 Maine
211 or (866) 811-5695
Maryland Maryland Council on Problem Gambling
(800) 426-2537
Massachusetts Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health
(800) 426-1234
Michigan Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline
(800) 270-7117
Minnesota Minnesota's Problem Gambling Program
(800) 333-4673
Mississippi Problem Gambling Resources in Mississippi
(888) 777-9696
Missouri Missouri’s Division of Behavioral Health
(888) 238-7633
Montana Montana Lottery Problem Gambling Resources
(888) 900-9979
Nebraska Nebraska Commission on Problem Gambling
(833) 238-6837
New Hampshire New Hampshire Council on Problem Gambling
(603) 724-1605
New Jersey Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey
(800) 426-2537
New Mexico Problem Gambling Resources in New Mexico
(800) 572-1142
New York New York Office of Addiction Services and Supports
(877) 846-7369
North Carolina North Carolina Problem Gambling Program
(877) 718-5543
North Dakota Gambler North Dakota
(877) 702-7848
Ohio Ohio Lottery Problem Gambling Resources
(800) 589-9966
Oklahoma Oklahoma Association on Problem Gambling and Gaming
(800) 522-4700
Oregon Oregon Problem Gambling Resource
(877) 695-4648
Pennsylvania Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania
(800) 426-2537
Puerto Rico Administración de Servicios de Salud Mental y Contra la Adicción
(800) 981-0023
Rhode Island Rhode Island Council on Problem Gambling
(877) 942-6253
South Carolina South Carolina Education Lottery - Better U
(877) 452-5155
South Dakota South Dakota Lottery Problem Gambling Resources
(888) 781-4357
Tennessee Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Services Program
(800) 889-9789
Texas Problem Gambling Resources in Texas
(800) 522-4700
Vermont Vermont’s Problem Gambling Resource Center
(800) 522-4700
Virginia Virginia Council on Problem Gambling
(888) 532-3500
Washington Washington State Health Care Authority
(800) 547-6133
West Virginia Problem Gambling Resources in West Virginia
(800) 522-4700
Wisconsin Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling
(800) 426-2535
Wyoming Wyoming Lottery Problem Gambling Resources
(800) 522-4700