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Play safe: limits, warning signs and free help
If gambling is costing you more than you planned, sleep, peace of mind or the trust of people you love, stop and get help. That matters more than any free cruise.
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Free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day: call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), or visit 1800myreset.org. That number replaced 1-800-GAMBLER on 29 January 2026. On board, ask the casino manager or Guest Services whether you can be blocked from the casino or stop receiving casino offers.
Free, confidential help, 24/7
Call or text 1-800-697-3738, or chat at 1800myreset.org. This is the National Problem Gambling Helpline from the National Council on Problem Gambling. It changed from 1-800-GAMBLER on 29 January 2026.
Warning signs to take seriously
- You spend more than you planned, or keep adding to your budget.
- You chase losses, telling yourself you will win it back.
- You hide your play or your losses from family.
- You borrow money, use savings or take cash advances to gamble.
- You feel restless or irritable when you are not gambling.
- You gamble to escape worry, loneliness or sadness.
- You are not honest about where you were or how much you lost.
One sign is a reason to pause. Several are a reason to call. There is no shame in it. Asking for help is the smart play.
Limits that work
The National Council on Problem Gambling's own guidance: set time and money limits and stick to them; only bet what you can afford to lose; never gamble with money meant for rent, bills or savings; don't bet while impaired; and remember it's okay not to bet. My own version is on setting your budget.
On the ship
- Ask about self-exclusion. Ask the casino manager or Guest Services whether the cruise line can block you from the casino.
- Ask to stop casino offers. You can ask the line to stop sending you casino marketing.
- Ask about blocking casino charges on your ship card, so play has to be in cash.
- Plan your sea days around something else. A spa booking, a show, a class or a long lunch fills the hours the casino would.
If you are worried about someone you love
The same helpline is there for families. You can call 1-800-MY-RESET about someone else's gambling, and you do not need their permission.
Gambling should stay fun. If it isn't, free and confidential help is there 24/7: call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738) or visit 1800myreset.org. Playing safe →
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Where these facts come from
- National Council on Problem Gambling, helpline number statement — checked 20 October 2026
- National Council on Problem Gambling, responsible gambling guidelines (5 Feb 2026) — checked 20 October 2026
- Nevada Gaming Control Board, notice on the new helpline number (11 Feb 2026) — checked 20 October 2026
- New York State Gaming Commission, Responsible gaming — checked 20 October 2026
If stairs, gangways and tenders are a problem, there is a whole section of this site for you. Sails Anyway covers accessible and limited-mobility cruising properly instead of squeezing it into a paragraph: what each pier actually asks of you, which tender ports are a problem and why, the special-needs forms and the deadlines that catch people out, and how to choose a cabin you can move around in.
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