Responsible Gambling

Betting costs money over time, even for people who win some nights. The ones who keep it fun decide ahead of time what they’re willing to lose and stop when it’s gone. This page covers the habits that help, the signs that betting has become a problem, the tools Bovada gives you, and where to get free help.

Need to talk to someone now? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), the National Problem Gambling Helpline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7, and you can also chat online.

Habits that keep betting in check

  • Set a budget before you deposit, for the week or the month, and treat it as spent.
  • Don’t try to win back a loss with a bigger bet.
  • Never bet with money meant for rent, bills or debts, and never borrow to bet.
  • Keep a simple record of what you deposit and withdraw, so you know where you really stand.
  • Skip betting when you’re angry, upset or drinking.

Signs it’s becoming a problem

Any one of these is worth taking seriously:

  • You spend more, or bet more often, than you planned.
  • You hide how much you bet from people close to you.
  • You’ve borrowed money, sold things or missed bills because of betting.
  • You feel restless or irritable when you try to cut back.
  • You bet to escape stress or to get back money you’ve already lost.

Tools Bovada offers

Bovada’s tools all run through its customer support team. There’s no self-service time-out button.

  • Deposit limits. Ask support to set a limit on how much you can deposit. You can also ask for your play limits to be set to zero.
  • Self-exclusion. Ask support to close your account. If you tell them it’s because of a gambling problem, the account is closed permanently and can’t be reopened.
  • Closing your account. Withdraw your balance first, then contact support. Our guide to closing a Bovada account walks through it.

Outside Bovada, some banks and card issuers let you block gambling transactions on your cards, and there are apps that block gambling sites on your phone and computer. Ask your bank what it offers.

Where to get help

  • National Problem Gambling Helpline: call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), or chat online. It connects you with help where you live, and the older number, 1-800-522-4700, still works.
  • Gamblers Anonymous: free peer support meetings, in person and online.
  • Gambling Therapy: free online support and chat.
  • Gam-Anon: support for family and friends of someone with a gambling problem.

Gambling at Bovada is for adults 18 and older, or older where your state requires it.

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