The N.C. Problem Gambling Program provides effective problem gambling prevention, education, outreach and treatment and recovery services. The new law allocates an additional $2 million a year to expand the program.

What You Need to Know

Licensed sports betting operators in North Carolina must demonstrate a commitment to responsible betting. To reduce the potentially negative or unintended consequences of sports betting, the law requires that operators:

• Establish and use a voluntary exclusion program to allow individuals to exclude themselves from placing sports wagers.
• State that anyone who has requested a voluntary exclusion from a sports betting operator is prohibited from engaging in pari-mutuel wagering.
• Include age verification requirements to ensure bettors are at least 21 years of age.
• Provide responsible gaming training to employees.
• Provide information about or links to resources related to gambling addiction and prevention in advertising and marketing of sports betting.
• Require that advertising and marketing do not target people under the age of 21 and are not misleading to a reasonable person.

Know the Signs

People who gamble do not start out with a problem. But over time it can turn into one, making it difficult to see the bigger picture. Being able to recognize the warning signs of the problem gambler may be able to help you or a friend in the future.

• Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more money?
• Have you ever lied to people important to you about how much you gambled?
• Have you experienced repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop gambling?
• Have you ever relied on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling?
• Do you gamble as a way of escaping emotional or physical pain?
• Have you ever jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job or career opportunity because of gambling?
• Have you gambled to get money with which to pay debts or to solve other financial problems?
• Have you borrowed money to finance your gambling?
• Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
• Do you gamble to try to get your money back?

Learn about Voluntary Self-Exclusion

When it authorized sports betting, North Carolina required the creation of a voluntary self-exclusion program as a way to help individuals control or stop their access to legal gambling on sports and horse racing. All licensed gambling operators are required to participate in and support the program. The program is confidential and operators are required to keep your data confidential and secure.

By enrolling, you acknowledge that:

• You are prohibited from participating in sports wagering and pari-mutuel wagering in the state and from collecting winnings or recovering any losses.
• You may be refused entry or removed from a wagering facility.
• You will not engage in wagering for the duration of the exclusion period.
• Your information will be held confidential and securely shared with licensed operators in the state and may be shared with their affiliates outside of North Carolina for purposes of the program, only.
• You will notify the commission about changes in address and contact information.

How the voluntary self-exclusion program works

The program offers individuals the ability to exclude themselves from sports wagering and pari-mutuel wagering for one year, three years, five years, or for their lifetime. The length of time you participate in the program is up to you.

Once validated, you will not be able to place sports bets on any device or at a sports book or bet on horse races while the ban is in place. If you visit a wagering facility, you will be barred from entering or you will be asked to leave. Any winnings will be surrendered and become unclaimed prizes. Any losses incurred cannot be recovered. If you have unencumbered funds in your account before the exclusion begins, those monies will be refunded to you. You should also be aware that an operator may also ban you from all of its land-based properties and as well as its online gaming and online wagering platforms in other states. You may also forfeit any account rewards points you may have accumulated in North Carolina or elsewhere.

During the exclusion time, operators must make commercially reasonable efforts to not send you targeted mailings, advertisements, marketing materials, or other promotional materials.

How do I enroll

By completing and submitting the Enrollment Form, you join the self-exclusion program and your name will be shared with all licensed operators in North Carolina. Licensed operators in North Carolina will use that list to implement technical systems to block you from participating in sports wagering and advance deposit account wagering on horse races. The self-exclusion typically takes effect within three or four business days, which are used to process your enrollment form, update the self-exclusion information provided securely to licensed operators, and allow operators to enforce the program.

To enroll, fill out and submit the Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program Enrollment Form. You will be asked to verify your identity when you enroll; please be prepared to show your government issued identification or answer unique verification questions. Enroll in person at a Claims Center operated by the North Carolina Education Lottery or enroll online here:

• Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program Enrollment Form

Removal From Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program

When you enroll in the Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program, you choose to participate for one, three, or five years, or you may choose a lifetime exclusion. Your name will automatically be removed from the list when the time period you selected is complete.

Under limited circumstances, such as in the case of mistaken identity or fraud, a person may petition the Commission for removal from the Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program via a written request. Counseling is available for those participating in the self-exclusion program.

If you have questions about being removed from the self-exclusion program, send an email to GamingCompliance@ncgaming.gov

Responsible Gaming Features in your wagering app

Operators are required to have responsible gaming limits available to their registered players. They can limit the amount players can deposit into their account and the amount they can spend through the account on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. This is available for players who need a shorter cooling off period or simply want to set boundaries on their wagering activity. These limits are set through the operator's mobile application or website.

Click Here to review the Commission’s rules for the Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program, which begin at Rule 1F-002 (Voluntary Exclusion Program).