Responsible gaming tools (RG tools) are a must for any sweepstakes casino site (or any gambling site, for that matter). While most platforms offer RG resources to some degree, they can vary in their accessibility and usefulness. This page’s goal is to eliminate those barriers as much as possible and make it easier to access Responsible Gaming tools.
Even though sweepstakes casinos use virtual currency, the games are reminiscent of actual casino games, so the risks associated with problem gambling are still very real.
For that reason, we’re providing a guide to sweepstakes casino responsible gaming tools. You’ll learn how they appear at sweepstakes sites, the different ways to access them, and how you can maintain healthy play habits. If you came here looking for ways to self-exclude or limit you account, you can use this link to skip the reading.
Why are responsible gaming tools important?
RG tools are features that allow you to control how much you spend, how long you play, or even whether you play at all. Others can include reminders to take a break, cool-off periods to require you to take breaks, and detailed information about external resources for help.
These things matter because the risk of problem play is very real, even at sweepstakes casinos. While most players can enjoy sweepstakes casinos for fun without any problematic behaviors, others may struggle to keep their play at a responsible level. Knowing where and how to access and implement RG tools can be a huge difference maker for anyone playing at a sweepstakes casino.
Types of tools available to you
There are four main types of responsible gaming tools available to you. While you may see others, these are by far the most common. Here are the key details about each one. We list some sites that offer each tool, but those lists are not comprehensive. You may find the same tools at many other sweepstakes casinos.
Deposit limits
Deposit limits are more commonly called purchase limits at sweepstakes casinos. They let you set a maximum dollar amount you can spend on virtual currency over a chosen time frame. Once you hit the limit, you can’t buy more currency until the time frame resets.
Limits can generally be lowered right away to prevent spending. Increasing your spending limit often requires a waiting period of 24-72 hours before the request will take effect.
👉 Operators with deposit limits: McLuck, Mega Bonanza, LuckyLand Slots, Legendz, Crown Coins
Session limits and activity reminders
Session limits let you set specific time frames to play. For example, you may set a limit of one hour per day. After you’ve played for that hour, the platform will prohibit you from playing further until the next day. These typically reset at midnight.
Activity reminders are more passive. They allow you to summon check-in pop-ups at specific intervals, which essentially encourage you to reflect on your time playing and whether you should take a break.
👉 Operators with session limits and activity reminders: McLuck, LuckyLand Slots, Sixty6, Crown Coins
Cool-off periods
A cool-off period is a short, self-selected break during which your account is temporarily suspended. It could be for a number of days or even weeks. During the cool-off, you can’t play games or buy coins, though you may be able to log in and see your account. Some sites call this function “Time out” or “Take a Break.”
👉 Operators with cool off periods: Legendz, Mea Bonanza, McLuck
Self-exclusion
Self-exclusion is a long-term block and the most significant action you can take in relation to responsible play. You can self-exclude to suspend all action on a site for a period of many months, years, or indefinitely. In most cases, you cannot undo a self-exclusion request. Most require you to email support and request.
👉 Operators with self-exclusion: Crown Coins, LuckyLand Slots, Sixty6
Ways you can self-exclude
Sweepstakes casinos typically offer two methods for activating RG tools. They include self-serve, which is easier but less common, and contacting support, which is more prevalent but also more difficult.
Self-serve access
Operators like McLuck, Mega Bonanza, Hello Millions, and Legendz (among a few others) have dedicated self-service options for RG tools and resources. You can usually find them by navigating to a “Player Safety” page or visiting your account details. Once you find the controls at a self-serve RG tool sweepstakes site, you can set limits, self-exclude, enter a cool-off, or use the other controls as you wish.
Contacting support
The vast majority of sweepstakes casinos require you to contact support to activate their RG tools. Crown Coins, Sixty6, SweepNext, Luckyland Slots, and many more fall into this category.
The bright side is that contacting support is (usually) easy. You request limits via live chat, email, or support forms. Phone support is not typically offered for RG tools.
How to set limits
Here are two examples of requesting RG tool activation, one from a self-serve site and the other from a customer support-based site.
McLuck (self-serve example)
- Session and spending limits can be increased only after a 24-hour waiting period.
- Log in to your McLuck account.
- Scroll down on the main menu and select Player Trust & Safety Controls.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page.
- Select “Spend Limits” to set purchasing limits.
- Select “Set Time-Out” for a cool-off period.
- Select “Set Limits” to create session limits.
- Select “Request Self-exclusion” to self-exclude.
- Confirm the details and complete your selections.
Jackpota (customer support example)
- Support will activate the tool and confirm via email.
- Determine which tool you need (deposit limits, Take a Break, or self-exclusion).
- Send an email to [email protected] or use the Contact Form on their website.
- State clearly which tool you want to activate and for how long.
- For Take a Break: Choose 7, 14, or 30 days.
- For self-exclusion: Minimum 6 months (can be extended).
- Wait for confirmation from the support team.
Tools available to you by casino
| Casino | Deposit limits | Session limits | Cooling off | Self exclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Coins | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6 mo-permanent |
| McLuck | Yes | Yes | 1-30 days | 6 mo minimum |
| Luckyland Slots | Yes (1/7/30 days) | Yes (session reminders, playtime limits) | 1-30 days | 6 mo-permanent |
| MegaBonanza | Yes (daily/weekly/monthly) | Yes | 1-30 days | 1 mo-1yr |
| Hello Millions | Limited/unclear | No | Limited/unclear | Limited/unclear |
| Sixty 6 | Yes (purchase limit) | Yes (daily time limit) | 1-30 days | 7-30 days |
| Legendz | Yes (purchase limit) | Yes (reality checks) | Yes | Yes (cannot be reinstated) |
| Jackpota | Yes (daily limits) | Yes (time reminders) | 7-30 days | 6 mo minimum |
| PlayFame | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| SweepNext | Yes (daily purchase limits) | No | Yes (7/14/30 days) | Yes (6 mo minimum) |
Casinos with self-serve options
Try to play at a site that allows self-serve. The action is immediate which is what players want when they are trying to implement restrictions.
- Legendz: Fully self-serve tools available in My Account → Responsible Social Play tab. The user can set and remove purchase limits. Self-exclusion cannot be reinstated once activated. Reality check feature available. Better than most competitors for self-serve accessibility.
- McLuck: Tools are fully self-serve, no support contact needed. Cooling off is called “Time-Out.” Limit changes have 24-hour waiting periods for increases. Available through My Account → Player Trust & Safety Controls.
- MegaBonanza: Self-serve RG tools accessible without support contact. Time-Out cannot be cancelled once set. Spend limit changes have 24-hour waiting periods for increases/removals. Self-exclusion minimum 6 months, cannot be reversed once active. Tools located in My Account → Player Trust & Safety Controls.
- Hello Millions: Conflicting information in sources about the availability of RG tools. Some sources say tools exist (deposit limits, time-outs, self-exclusion). Other recent sources explicitly state that no RG tools are currently available. Tools mentioned but not well-documented or easily accessible.
Self-exclusion requires support
Some sweepstakes sites require you to contact support for help with RG tools. While the personal touch can be nice, the reality is that response times and helpfulness vary and it gives you time to change your mind. We tend to prefer self-service for these reasons.
- Crown Coins: Limits can be set, but access is through support ticketing systems (noted as less intuitive than competitors). Not self-serve.
- Luckyland: All RG tools require contacting customer support – NOT self-serve. Self-exclusion can be difficult to reverse even after the period expires. Session reminders every 60 minutes. Optional playtime limits available.
- Sixty-six: Timeout: 24 or 72 hours. Self-Exclusion: 7, 14, or 30 days (default 7 days if not selected). Policy states tools available through account settings, but multiple reviewers couldn’t find self-serve options. In practice, it requires contacting customer support. No early reinstatement allowed once activated.
- Jackpots: Take a Break: 7, 14, or 30 days. Self-exclusion: Minimum 6 months (can be extended). Deposit limits: Daily and weekly options. Time reminders available. Must email [email protected] or use the Contact Form to activate.
- PlayFame: Deposit/spending limits available. Cooling-off periods available. Self-exclusion available. All tools are accessed by contacting customer support. Not self-serve.
- SweepNext: Daily purchase limits: Must email to request. Take a Break: 7, 14, or 30 days. Self-exclusion: Minimum 6 months (can be extended). All tools require emailing support to activate. Not self-serve.
Things to consider before you take action
- Self-exclusion is almost always irreversible for the selected time. Sweepstakes casinos probably won’t email you when the period is up, either. If you decide you’re okay to play more, you have to reactivate on your own.
- Limit increases for sessions or spending often have a cool-down period of 24 hours or more. In other words, if you want to increase your limit, you’ll have to wait a day. On the other hand, decreasing your limits (making them stricter) can be done instantly.
- Some operators use different terminology than we list here. You might see “Take a Break,” “Time-Out,” or “Cool-Off,” all meaning the same thing.
- RG tools apply only to the sweepstakes casino where you activate them. If you wish to use a tool at multiple casinos, you’ll need to do so one by one.
When to use the tools
The signs that it’s time to use an RG tool are plentiful. In this section, we’ll touch on a few of the main ones.
Spending more than intended is a big one. If you’re buying more coins than you can afford or purchasing multiple times a day, it might be time for a check-in. Losing track of time while playing is another. IF you’re playing in a haze without noticing how much time has passed, that’s a good sign you need a break.
Chasing losses is another one. This is a common issue among problem gamblers, especially, but it can occur in casual players too. You might think, “I’ll purchase more and hopefully win to cover what I just lost.” This can lead to further losses more often than recovering the original losses.
There are many other warning signs that indicate you may need to deploy a Responsible Gaming tool. We encourage you to do some extra research and know those signs before you play.
How to get additional help
Responsible Gaming tools are designed to help you stay in control, but they aren’t perfect. Professional help is available for those experiencing gambling problems, and there are many resources that can quickly connect you with someone who can help.
National and independent resources
- National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG): Offers a 24/7 hotline (1-800-522-4700), text (800GAM), and live chat, serving all 50 states.
- 1-800-GAMBLER: A premier, 24/7 national hotline for immediate, confidential assistance.
- Gamblers Anonymous (GA): A recovery program offering in-person and virtual meetings for those with gambling problems.
- Gam-Anon: A support group for friends and family members of individuals with gambling issues.
- GamTalk: A free, confidential online community for support and sharing experiences.
- The Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance: Conducts research and provides resources, such as their toolkits for identifying problem gambling.
If you need a starting point, consider contacting the National Council on Problem Gambling helpline at 1-800-522-4700. It offers confidential help on a 24/7 basis.
FAQ
No. Self-exclusion is almost always irreversible at sweepstakes casinos. You may reactivate your account, but only after the initial time period you selected has passed.
Every sweepstakes casino has its own RG tools. While the concepts and features are similar, the actual tools and how they work will differ based on the site you’re playing at. Also, the RG tool you use will only apply to the sweepstakes casino that offers it. If you wish to self-exclude, set limits, or cool off at other sites, you’ll need to do those individually.
A cool-off period is a shorter amount of time. It can be a few days, weeks, or even months in some cases. Self-exclusion is far more wide-ranging. It can be for a year or indefinitely.
In most cases, yes. Cooling off (or similar tools) will prevent you from playing games or making purchases, but you can usually still access your account and view your details.
Spend and session limits take effect immediately (or with a short wait if it’s a customer support request). Self-exclusion and cool-offs go into effect immediately or as soon as customer support confirms they are active.
Attempting to circumvent a self-exclusion by starting a new account violates the terms at most sweepstakes casinos and could result in a permanent ban.