Responsible gambling

Sports betting should be entertainment, not a way to make money or solve financial problems. Edge is built to help disciplined bettors find better prices — but no tool can make gambling safe for someone who has lost control. If gambling has stopped being fun, help is available immediately and is always free.

Warning signs of problem gambling

A gambling problem can develop gradually. Common signs include:

• Betting more than you can afford to lose
• Chasing losses with bigger or more frequent bets
• Borrowing money — from credit cards, loans, friends, or family — to gamble
• Lying about how much you bet or how much you've lost
• Gambling affecting your work, sleep, relationships, or mental health
• Feeling unable to stop or cut back, even when you want to
• Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when not gambling

If two or more of these sound familiar, please reach out using the resources above. Talking to someone is the most effective first step, and it's anonymous.

Practical limits — for everyone

Even bettors without a problem should bet within hard limits. The best bettors in the world set rules before they place a single wager.

• Set a bankroll.Decide on an amount you can afford to lose, and stick to it. Don't move money in from outside that bankroll mid-season.
• Use unit sizing. Bet a small, fixed percentage of your bankroll per wager (typically 1–3%). Avoid increasing bets after losses.
• Set time limits.Sports betting apps are designed to keep you engaged. Pre-decide how many hours per week you're willing to spend.
• Use sportsbook tools.Every major US sportsbook offers deposit limits, wager limits, loss limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion. Find them in your sportsbook's account settings.
• Never bet under the influence, while emotional, or to chase a loss. These are the conditions where bad decisions multiply.
• Track your bets. Honest records make problem patterns visible before they become serious.

Age and eligibility

To bet on sports legally in the US, you must be 21 or older in most states (a few states allow 18+) and physically present in a state where sports betting is legal. Sportsbooks verify both. Edge is intended for users who meet these requirements.

Self-exclusion

If you need to step away from sports betting entirely, every US state with legal betting offers a voluntary self-exclusion program. Enrolling bars you from depositing or wagering at every licensed sportsbook in the state for a set period (typically 1 year, 5 years, or lifetime). Contact your state gaming commission to enroll — links are in the table below.

State-by-state resources

Most US states with legal sports betting fund their own problem-gambling helplines in addition to the national 1-800-GAMBLER number.

Not seeing your state? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. The national line will route you to the closest local resources.

About Edge

Edge is an analysis tool, not a sportsbook. We do not accept bets, hold funds, or process wagers. Read more about who we are and how we work on our about page.