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Play the Lottery Responsibly

Here at LotteryTexts.com, we value playing the lottery as a way of having fun keeping away from problem gambling and lack of control. Lottery play should be all about entertainment while we know that there is a slight chance of winning and that the funds from sales are being directed to social actions.

If that is not the case, and you feel that you might be dedicating too much of your finances or thinking to the lottery, it is essential to seek professional help.

Responsible Thinking in the Lottery

Responsible play involves not spending more than you could in the lottery and not letting decisions related to it impact other areas of your life. As soon as you feel that there is a significant impact on your family or other relationships, your career, health, or finances, that is a red alert.

To avoid reaching that point or remediate early signs when you are still conscious and in control of negative consequences, keep the following hints in mind:

  • Regardless of how tempting the jackpot gets, never play with the money you will need later.
  • The lottery is a game of chance, not an investment opportunity.
  • Keep everyone who is close to you aware of how often you play. If you can’t tell them, it is probably too much.
  • Know the real odds of winning the lottery so that you do not get frustrated.
  • Define limits to how much and how often you play the lottery and stick to it.
  • Remember to have fun and not take anything too seriously when it comes to the lottery.

If you suspect signs of problem gambling or notice that you or someone you know cannot abandon bad habits connected to the lottery, there is help available through multiple channels, depending on where you live.

Problem Gambling Help

All countries where the lottery is legalized have programs or special attention channels to support people who find themselves with problems related to it. We have summarized the most important of them for first help, which applies to you or someone else you know.

CountryResponsible OrganizationHelpline Number
BelarusРеспубликанский научно-практический центр психического здоровья+37517 303 24 42
BrazilPrograma Ambulatorial do Jogo Patológico do Hospital das Clínicas+55 (11) 2661-7805 / 2307-78052
CanadaResponsible Gambling Council+1 416 535-8501
GermanyCheck Dein Spielt+49 0800 1 37 27 00
IndiaKripa Foundation+91 93246 92520
ItalyTVNGA+39 800 558822
MexicoDirección General de Juegos y Sorteos+52 018009112000
NigeriaNational Responsible Gambling Programme NRGP+234 0800 006 008
PhilippinesGamblers Anonymous Philippines+63 0917-509-4080
RussiaMoscow Helpline of Psychological Assistance+7 8-495-051 / +7 8 (800) 333-44-34
South AfricaSouth African Responsible Gambling Foundation+27 011 026 7323
South KoreaKorea Center on Gambling Problems (KCGP)*1336
SpainSpanish Gambling Support Helpline+34 900 533 025
SwedenThe Public Health Agency of Sweden+46 (0) 10-205 20 00
United KingdomDunlewey Addiction Services+44 2890 392547
United StatesNational Council on Problem Gambling+ 1 (800) 522-4700

If your country is not listed here, given that there are over a hundred with that possibility, our recommendation is to look for a contact on the official website of your local lottery. If they do not provide assistance themselves, they most certainly have contact with the organization responsible for guiding people with gambling problems connected to lotteries.

United States Gambling Help Telephone Numbers

In the specific case of the United States, you might be interested in more directed support. When that is the case, you may seek help through your state’s help line instead of using the national one:

StateResponsible OrganizationHelpline Number
ArizonaArizona Division of Problem Gambling+1 (800) 639-8783
ArkansasProblem Gambling Resources in Arkansas+1 (800) 522-4700
CaliforniaThe Office of Problem Gambling in California+1 (800) 4262-537
ColoradoColorado Lottery Problem Gambling Resources+1 (800) 522-4700
ConnecticutConnecticut Council on Problem Gambling+1 (888) 789-7777
DelawareDelaware Council on Gambling Problems+1 (888) 850-8888
District of ColumbiaProblem Gambling Resources in District of Columbia+1 (800) 522-4700
FloridaFlorida Council on Compulsive Gambling+1 (888) 236-4848
GeorgiaGeorgia Crisis and Access Line+1 (866) 922-7369
IdahoProblem Gambling Resources in Idaho+1 (800) 522-4700
IllinoisIllinois Lottery Problem Gambling Resources+1 (800) 426-2537
IndianaIndiana Council on Problem Gambling+1 (800) 994-8448
IowaIowa Gambling Treatment Program+1 (800) 238-7633
KansasKansas Coalition on Problem Gambling+1 (800) 522-4700
KentuckyKentucky Council on Problem Gambling+1 (800) 426-2537
LouisianaLouisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling+1 (877) 770-7867
Maine211 Maine+1 211 | +1 (866) 811-5695
MarylandMaryland Council on Problem Gambling+1 (800) 426-2537
MassachusettsMassachusetts Council on Gaming and Health+1 (800) 426-1234
MichiganMichigan Problem Gambling Helpline+1 (800) 270-7117
MinnesotaMinnesota’s Problem Gambling Resources+1 (800) 333-4673
MississippiProblem Gambling Resources in Mississippi+1 (888) 777-9696
MissouriMissouri’s Division of Behavioral Health+1 (888) 238-7633
MontanaMontana Lottery Problem Gambling Resources+1 (888) 900-9979
NebraskaNebraska Commission on Problem Gambling+1 (833) 238-6837
New HampshireNew Hampshire Council on Problem Gambling+1 (603) 724-1605
New JerseyCouncil on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey+1 (800) 426-2537
New MexicoProblem Gambling Resources in New Mexico+1 (800) 572-1142
New YorkNew York Office of Addiction Services and Supports+1 (877) 846-7369
North CarolinaNorth Carolina Problem Gambling Program+1 (877) 718-5543
North DakotaGambler North Dakota+1 (877) 702-7848
OhioOhio Lottery Problem Gambling Resources+1 (800) 589-9966
OklahomaOklahoma Association on Problem Gambling and Gaming+1 (800) 522-4700
OregonOregon Problem Gambling Resource+1 (877) 695-4648
PennsylvaniaCouncil on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania+1 (800) 426-2537
Puerto RicoAdministración de Servicios de Salud Mental y Contra la Adicción+1 (800) 981-0023
Rhode IslandRhode Island Council on Problem Gambling+1 (877) 942-6253
South CarolinaSouth Carolina Education Lottery – Better U+1 (877) 452-5155
South DakotaSouth Dakota Lottery Problem Gambling Resources+1 (888) 781-4357
TennesseeProblem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Services Program+1 (800) 889-9789
TexasProblem Gambling Resources in Texas+1 (800) 522-4700
VermontVermont’s Problem Gambling Resource Center+1 (800) 522-4700
VirginiaVirginia Council on Problem Gambling+1 (888) 532-3500
WashingtonWashington State Health Care Authority+1 (800) 547-6133
West VirginiaProblem Gambling Resources in West Virginia+1 (800) 522-4700
WisconsinWisconsin Council on Problem Gambling+1 (800) 426-2535
WyomingWyoming Lottery Problem Gambling Resources+1 (800) 522-4700

FAQ on Responsible Lottery Playing

In order to play the lottery in a responsible manner, only play with money that you will not need later, and do not see the lottery as an investment, but rather as a game of chance and risk.

Whenever playing the lottery results in negative consequences in your life, be it in your career, relationships, finances, or health, that is a clear sign of a problem.

There is no specific limit to how much you can spend on lotteries before it is a problem. As long as it does not impact your life and plans and fits in your budget, you will be fine.

It is usually the false impression that you need to play more than you can or should in order to win, and getting frustrated and more addicted to playing as a consequence.

As long as the total expenditure with lottery tickets does not impact your finances or your relationship with others and you play for fun regularly, it can be healthy.

Keep track of all times you purchase tickets for the lottery and establish a maximum expenditure, regardless of what games you played or how many numbers you have chosen.

Without a doubt! When you can and feel comfortable when talking about how often you play the lottery and the total expenditure, that is a sign that you are not exaggerating.

The first step is to do whatever is in your power to stop playing immediately. Seek help with your family or people you trust and call a reliable support program for problem gambling.

Through information in our guides and the indication of support channels, we do our part to help players play the lottery responsibly and healthily.

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