Play Smart

Responsible Gambling

Sports betting is entertainment. SharpSpots is for adults 21 and older in jurisdictions where sports betting is legal. If betting stops being fun or starts affecting your life, the resources on this page can help.

Free, confidential, 24/7

National Problem Gambling Helpline

1-800-GAMBLER

Call, text, or chat with the National Council on Problem Gambling. Available in every U.S. state. ncpgambling.org →

State Helplines

Many states run their own dedicated problem gambling resources. If your state is not listed, the national helpline above can connect you to local services.

NJ

New Jersey

1-800-GAMBLERCouncil on Compulsive Gambling of NJ →

PA

Pennsylvania

1-800-GAMBLERPA Council on Compulsive Gambling →

NY

New York

1-877-846-7369NY Council on Problem Gambling →

MI

Michigan

1-800-270-7117MI Department of Health →

CO

Colorado

1-800-522-4700Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado →

IL

Illinois

1-800-426-2537Illinois Are You Really Winning →

MA

Massachusetts

1-800-327-5050MA Council on Gaming and Health →

State list current as of launch. We will expand this as more states regulate sports betting.

Warning Signs

Problem gambling can affect anyone. If you recognize one or more of these patterns in yourself or someone close to you, it may be time to reach out for support.

  • Spending more time or money on betting than you intended
  • Chasing losses by placing larger or riskier bets to recover
  • Lying to family or friends about how much you bet
  • Betting with money meant for bills, rent, or essentials
  • Feeling restless, anxious, or irritable when not betting
  • Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund bets
  • Letting betting interfere with work, school, or relationships
  • Repeatedly trying to cut back without success

Self-Exclusion

Self-exclusion is a voluntary process where you ask to be barred from gambling at sportsbooks for a defined period. In regulated states, signing up for a state-administered program will block your access across all licensed operators in that state, not just one app.

Most states offer 1-year, 5-year, or lifetime options. Once enrolled, the exclusion typically cannot be reversed before the term ends.

NCPG Self-Exclusion Resources →

Tools That Help

Every licensed sportsbook in the U.S. is required to offer these controls. Find them in the responsible gaming or account settings section of the app.

Deposit limits

Cap how much you can deposit per day, week, or month. Once set, lowering the cap is instant; raising it usually takes 24+ hours.

Time limits

Set a maximum amount of time you can be logged in. The app will lock you out when the limit is reached.

Cooling-off period

A short, voluntary break (typically 24 hours to 30 days) where you cannot place bets but your account stays open.

Self-exclusion

A formal, longer-term ban (often 1 year, 5 years, or lifetime) enforced by the sportsbook and, in regulated states, across all licensed operators.

What SharpSpots Commits To

We publish algorithmic analysis for entertainment and informational purposes. We do not promise wins or guaranteed returns.
We never describe any pick as a "lock," "must-bet," or "guaranteed."
We do not target users in jurisdictions where sports betting is illegal, and we suppress affiliate links in those regions.
We surface a Track Record wall publicly so you can see real results, including losing stretches, and decide if our analysis is useful to you.
We display responsible gambling resources on every page that contains a betting recommendation.

Important Disclaimer

SharpSpots provides algorithmic analysis of publicly available sports and betting market data for entertainment and educational purposes. Nothing on this site is financial advice, gambling advice, or a guarantee of any outcome. Past performance does not indicate future results.

You must be 21 or older and physically located in a jurisdiction where sports betting is legal to place a wager. Only bet what you can afford to lose.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.