Problem Gambling Resources
For most people, gambling is entertainment. A fun activity that can be enjoyed without harmful effects. But for some, it’s not just a game – it’s a serious problem that continues, even after the fun is gone. Just as some people can become addicted to alcohol or drugs, it is possible for a person to become obsessed with an uncontrollable urge to gamble. This is problem gambling – an emotional illness that often remains hidden until the consequences of repeated gambling begin to affect the financial and emotional security of the gambler and the family. Please play responsibly.
When the Fun Stops … Help is just a phone call away.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Council on Problem Gambling help-line at 1-800-522-4700.
Si usted tiene proglema de jugar complusivo llamar a 1-800-522-4700.
Find support and resources
If gambling is causing a problem in your life, we encourage you to ask questions, gather information and conduct research on the type of help that is most appropriate for your situation. This information is intended to be a starting point—it is not a complete list of information or services.
National Council on Problem Gambling Helpline
Call: 1-800-522-4700
Text: 1-800-522-4700
Chat: ncpgambling.org/chat
Self Help Resources
- Gamblers Anonymous (www.gamblersanonymous.org)
Is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem. - Gam-Anon (www.gam-anon.org)
Is a self-help organization for the spouse, family or loved ones of compulsive gamblers. - GamTalk (gamtalk.org)
Is a 24/7 moderated online peer support community.
Self -Exclusion
The Office is committed to offering gaming in a safe and responsible manner and will never place profits ahead of the health of its players. As part of this commitment, the Self-Exclusion Program was established as a tool or method to support persons who wish to refrain from sports wagering and other types of gambling (e.g., Lottery) offered by the Office and its licensees.
Each person electing to participate in the Self-Exclusion Program acknowledges that it is his or her responsibility to refrain from engaging in sports wagering or other gambling activities. Those applying for self-exclusion will be placed on the Office’s Self-Exclusion List (“List”) that will be used by the Office and Office licensees to prevent them from participating in sports wagering and other gambling activities. This includes the forfeiture of any gambling winnings.
It is important to understand that a person wishing to self-exclude themselves from sports wagering will also be excluding themselves from all other forms of gambling including the DC Lottery. This means persons participating in the Program will not be allowed to purchase lottery tickets at retail establishments; participate in iLottery program (online or mobile app); and redeem any lottery prize claims. Persons on the List will forfeit any lottery prize winnings. Whether a person is a lottery or sports wagering player, self-exclusion is applicable to all gambling in the District. A person cannot limit the self-exclusion to one particular type of gambling activity.
Participating in the Program starts with an application that can be submitted using the following options:
- Class A or B sports wagering facility (Effective 3/1/2022): These are privately held sports wagering facilities licensed by the Office. Each sports wagering facility is authorized to process a Self-Exclusion Program application. The following link provides the current approved list of Class A & B sports wagering operators.
- Office of Lottery and Gaming: A person may contact the Responsible Gambling Specialist (see contact information below) to make an appointment at the Office’s headquarters located at 2235 Shannon Place SE, Washington, DC 20020.
- Online: A person may submit a self-exclusion application online through the Office’s website. The following links provide further information:
Persons participating in the Program will be excluded from gaming throughout the District. This means that if they sign up for self-exclusion at a Class A or B facility, they will not only be excluded from the particular facility, but from all gambling establishments (retail or online/mobile app) in the District.
Players having any questions regarding the Self-Exclusion Program or to make an appointment for self-exclusion can contact the Office’s Responsible Gambling Specialist Donna White at (202) 788-2102 or olgresponsiblegaming@dc.gov. Click here to view our Responsible Gambling Plan.
Required identifying Information:
In order to ensure accuracy of identification and future communications, the following information will be requested when an individual is self-excluding:
- Name, including any aliases or nicknames;
- Date of birth;
- Address of current residence;
- Telephone number;
- Email address;
- Social Security number;
- Physical description, including height, weight, gender, hair color, eye color, etc.; and
- Valid Government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license or passport.
In addition, a photograph may be taken of the person at the time they sign up for self-exclusion. Only the person wishing to self-exclude can do so. A third-party (e.g., spouse, parent, etc.) is not permitted to submit an application to self-exclude another person.
If you are in need of a language interpreter to fully understand the Self‐Exclusion Program and the questions in the application, please inform the Responsible Gaming Program Specialist in advance of your appointment.
Si vous avez besoin d’un interprète pour bien comprendre le Programme d’auto exclusion et les questions dans le dossier de demande, veuillez en informer le Spécialiste du Programme de jeu responsable avant votre rendez-vous.
ራስን የማግለል መርሃግብርን እና በማመልከቻው ላይ ያሉ ጥያቄዎችን ሙሉ በሙሉ ለመረዳት የቋንቋ አስተርጓሚ የሚፈልጉ ከሆነ፣ እባክዎን ከቀጠሮዎ በፊት የኃላፊነታዊ የጨዋታ ፕሮግራም ባለሙያውን ያሳውቁ።
Nếu bạn cần một thông dịch ngôn ngữ để có thể hiểu đầy đủ Chương Trình Tự Loại Trừ và các câu hỏi trong ứng dụng, vui lòng thông báo cho Chuyên Gia Chương Trình Trò Chơi Có Trách Nhiệm trước cuộc hẹn của bạn.
如果您需要一名口译员 来帮助您彻底了解“自我排除计划”和应用中的问题，请在预约前通知主管游戏程序专员.
자진 입장 금지 프로그램(Self‐Exclusion Program)과 신청서에 있는 질문들을 완전히 이해하는 데 통역사의 도움이 필요하시면, 예약 시간에 오시기 전에 책임 있는 도박 프로그램(Responsible Gaming Program) 담당자에게 알려 주시기 바랍니다.
Si necesita un intérprete de idiomas para entender bien en qué consiste el Programa de Autoexclusión y las preguntas de la solicitud, por favor hágaselo saber al especialista del Programa de Juego Responsable antes de su cita.