With some of the strictest gambling laws in the country, only a few betting services are legally allowed to operate in Texas.
Over the years, there has been heavy pushback against expanding the gambling laws in the state, which currently only allow playing the lottery and bingo, betting on horse and dog racing, and gambling at tribal casinos.
As gambling isn’t widely available, Texas does not currently have a self-exclusion program for individuals who want to voluntarily ban themselves from tribal casinos and other gambling services and facilities.
There are, however, other responsible gambling resources available for Texans exhibiting signs of problematic behavior related to gaming and gambling.
Keep reading to learn more.
Online sweepstakes casinos do offer ways for players to self-limit and restrict their accounts, but there isn’t a state-regulated list for land-based betting facilities.
Below, we’ll go over the current programs and tools that are available for problem gamblers in the Lone Star State and where they can seek help.
What Is Self-Exclusion At A Casino?
Self-exclusion is a legally-binding tool for individuals struggling to self-regulate or manage their gambling or gaming habits.
It’s usually a last resort for people who need external help staying away from casinos, racetracks, and other betting services to regain control of their behavior.
In several states where gambling and gaming are legally regulated, you can voluntarily ban yourself from using online gaming services and entering physical locations such as casinos by putting your name on the self-exclusion list.
Although Texas doesn’t currently have a state-operated self-exclusion list, there are other ways to limit or control the time and money you spend gaming or gambling.
You might want to consider seeking help if:
- You’re spending more money than you can afford to lose on online sweepstakes casinos.
- You are neglecting your responsibilities or personal relationships because you’re at the racetrack.
- You are chasing your losses playing the lottery.
Responsible Gambling Steps To Take Before Self-Exclusion
There isn’t an official self-exclusion program currently available in Texas, but there are other measures you can take to limit or restrict the time and money you spend gaming online.
Responsible Gaming At Online Sweepstakes Casinos
If you do most of your gaming online, the majority of sweepstakes casinos operating in Texas offer ways to restrict the time and money you can spend on their sites or apps.
- Log into your online sweepstakes casino account.
- Find the menu option for responsible play, responsible gaming, or self-exclusion.
- Each casino will have a different name so you might have to dig around for it.
- Choose what kind of limit or restriction you want to place on your account and submit your request.
- We suggest you also unfollow any casino or gaming services on social media.
Most online sweepstakes casinos will let players set limits on the amount of money they can spend on Gold Coin bundles and the amount of time they can spend on the app.
You can also choose to restrict access to your account for a set period, with some casinos offering cool-off periods starting at just 24 hours.
These breaks or time-outs can last up to 3 months, depending on the casino. You may have to contact the site’s customer support directly to submit your request.
Another option to keep yourself away from online gaming is to download and install a blocking service like Gamstop or Gamban.
These programs will restrict your access to any gaming sites or apps you try to use on your phone or computer.
Responsible Gaming At Land-Based Betting Facilities
In Texas, it’s currently up to each individual to limit or restrict their access to brick-and-mortar betting facilities such as tribal casinos, race tracks, and bingo halls.
Who Controls The Texas Self-Exclusion List
If Texas launches a self-exclusion program in the future, it could be controlled by the Texas Lottery Commission or a new government agency.
Right now, this is mere speculation as there are no concrete plans to establish an official, state-run self-exclusion program.
How To Ban Yourself From Online Gambling In Texas
Because an official self-exclusion list does not currently exist in Texas, the only way to ban yourself from online betting services in the state is to voluntarily restrict your access to sweepstakes casinos.
Here’s how:
- Find the menu option for self-exclusion in your online casino account. This option might be under the responsible gaming menu.
- For a long-term restriction to your account, many online casinos will require you to fill out a form or contact their customer service directly.
- Most online casinos require a minimum of 6 months for voluntary self-exclusion.
- In most cases, self-exclusion cannot be revoked or canceled. You must wait for the selected period to conclude.
- You can extend your self-exclusion for as long as you want.
- During self-exclusion, you will not receive any emails or promotions from the casino.
Keep in mind that not all online casinos offer these tools. If your preferred casino doesn’t have an option for self-exclusion, you might consider closing your account.
How To Remove Yourself From The Self-Exclusion List In Texas
If you want to regain access to your online sweepstakes account after a voluntary ban, you usually need to contact the casino’s customer service team directly.
You will likely have to wait a minimum of 6 months before you can request to regain access to your account, although that will vary according to each casino.
Before you opt-in for self-exclusion, read the Terms & Conditions carefully to fully understand the rules and consequences of this action.
Who To Contact In Texas If You Have A Gambling Problem
Despite the lack of an official responsible gaming authority in the state, there are multiple tools and resources available to deal with addictive or problematic gaming and gambling habits.
- The Texas Lottery Commission has a Play Responsibly program that offers information and resources to learn more about the issues associated with gambling and how to get help.
- The National Council on Problem Gambling has a dedicated 24/7 helpline you can call, chat, or text with. They will connect you to local resources to help with your specific needs.
- Kindbridge Behavioral Health offers online therapy sessions with licensed experts trained to help with gambling and gaming issues.
- You can contact the University of Texas Counseling and Mental Health Center, which offers counseling at its Austin campus.
- Gamblers Anonymous is a 12-step program for people seeking community and support. Search for meetings near you for more information.
- Gam-Anon is an organization focused on offering support to friends and loved ones of those struggling with gambling addictions.