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Getting help in California

If you’re ready for a life after betting, here’s a simple path in CA. Official details are below.

1. Step 1: Block access

   • BetBlocker (free) or Gamban
   • Ask someone you trust to hold the admin PIN
   • Mute or remove sportsbook apps and notifications

2. Step 2: Self-exclude

   What’s legal here: No legal statewide online sports betting. Tribal casinos, licensed cardrooms, and state lottery are legal.

   • Self-Exclusion (licensed cardrooms) · CA Department of Justice, Bureau of Gambling Control
   • Open the official page / enrollment path
   • How to enroll: Enroll online via the Bureau’s EMS portal or submit a paper form notarized or witnessed by a licensed cardroom key employee. Tribal casinos are NOT included; those are separate (NVSEP may help for some tribal properties).
   • Terms: 1 year or lifetime. Irrevocable for the chosen term.
   • Coverage: Licensed cardrooms statewide only. Does not cover tribal casinos, horse racing, or lottery.

   Verified 200 from oag.ca.gov/gambling/exclusion_self and ems.doj.ca.gov (Oct 2026).

   Before you enroll: withdraw balances you can, save records you might need, cancel recurring deposits. Many terms can’t be shortened. If this state has no statewide list, use blockers, helplines, GA, and operator tools anyway.

3. Step 3: Protect your money

   • Withdraw remaining balances where possible
   • Cancel autopay and remove saved payment methods
   • Download win/loss or tax records you may need later

4. Step 4: Get support

   • California Problem Gambling Helpline: call 1-800-GAMBLER or text SUPPORT to 53342. Office of Problem Gambling resources at calproblemgambling.org.
   • National: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER / 1-800-522-4700 / 1-800-MY-RESET
   • Gamblers Anonymous meetings
   • Gam-Anon for family & friends
   • SMART Recovery
   • My Progress tracker (private, on your device)