Sweepstakes games are promotional, but they are engineered like slot machines and can pull in exactly the same way. Every figure here came from free play, and that is the model we would recommend.

Signs worth acting on

• Buying coin packs to push a balance back toward the floor
• Sessions consistently running longer than planned
• Hiding the time or the money from people close to you
• Feeling flat or irritable away from the games
• Money intended for something else going into coins

Tools in the account

Most operators in the reviews provide deposit limits, session reminders, cooling-off periods and self-exclusion in account settings. Using one early is much easier than using one late.

Blocking tools

BetBlocker is free and covers social and sweepstakes sites as well as licensed gambling. Gamban is paid and covers the same ground.

If someone else in your household is affected, the same helpline and Gam-Anon can support you as well as them.