NeonSin

Gambling and Getting Help

Gambling in Nevada is legal from age 21. What to know before you play, the warning signs of a problem, and free, confidential help.

Casino gambling is legal in Nevada for adults 21 and over. State law bars anyone younger from playing any game, slot machine or sports book, and from loitering where gaming takes place, so under-21s walking through a casino with their family should keep moving. Casinos may ask for ID at any point.

Gambling is a form of entertainment that costs money, in the way a show or a dinner does. The games are designed so that, over time, the house keeps a share of what is wagered. Decide in advance how much you are willing to spend, treat it as spent, and stop when it is gone. Never gamble with money set aside for bills, rent or the trip home.

For some people gambling stops being fun. Warning signs include needing to bet more and more to feel the same excitement, feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut back, going back to win back losses, lying to hide gambling, borrowing to cover gambling debts, and putting a job or relationship at risk. Nevada's state program offers a short self-assessment quiz built around these signs.

Help is free, confidential and available around the clock, for gamblers and for the people close to them. Nevada requires casinos to post information about problem gambling and a helpline number near gaming areas and cash machines. The organizations below are official or nonprofit services; none of them is connected to any casino or to this site.

Where to get help

Project Worth (State of Nevada)

The state's official site for problem gambling resources, with a self-assessment quiz and a list of state-funded treatment providers that are free or low-cost.

projectworthnv.org/

Problem Gambling Services, Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health

The state program, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, that funds problem gambling prevention and treatment for Nevada residents.

dpbh.nv.gov/programs/bh-wellness-and-prevention…

Nevada Gaming Control Board: Problem Gambling

The state regulator's page listing assistance groups for problem gambling, including Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon.

gaming.nv.gov/about-us/problem-gambling

Nevada Council on Problem Gambling

A Nevada nonprofit for problem gambling awareness, information and referral, which points callers to the 24-hour helpline.

(702) 369-9740

nevadacouncil.org/

National Problem Gambling Helpline (National Council on Problem Gambling)

A free, confidential national helpline by phone, text and online chat that connects callers with local help; the older 1-800-GAMBLER number also still works.

1-800-MY-RESET

ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/

Nevada 988

Free, 24/7 support by call, text or chat for anyone in emotional distress or crisis, staffed by trained counselors in Nevada.

988

nevada988.org/

Neon Sin has no connection with any casino, gaming company or the organizations above, carries no gambling advertising and gives no betting advice. Contact details were checked on each organization's own site; if a number has changed, the official page is authoritative.

Sources