Responsible Gambling

Tina Marshall
Author :

Tina Marshall

Last Updated : 27 November 2025

At My Extra Life (https://www.myextralife.com), we write about online sportsbooks, offshore betting sites, and casino brands so you can make informed choices. This page is here to promote safer gambling, explain your options, and share resources if betting stops feeling fun.

We’re an editorial and affiliate publisher only—we don’t operate a sportsbook, take bets, or handle your money. Nothing on this site is personal advice or a guarantee of winnings.

Who We Are

My Extra Life reviews and compares the best offshore sportsbooks and best online sportsbooks, covering markets from NFL and NBA to soccer, esports, and more. Our goal is to help adults understand bonuses, odds, and licenses so they can choose where to play more safely.

We are not a gambling operator, casino, or lender. For more details about how we handle data and site use, please see our Privacy Policy and Terms.

Responsible Gambling

Sports betting and casino games should be entertainment, not a way to solve money problems. If you enjoy lines on the NFL, live odds on basketball, or props on soccer and esports, it’s important to keep control.

Healthy habits:

  • Set a budget before you bet and stick to it.

  • Decide a time limit and take breaks, especially during live betting and in-play markets.

  • Treat bonuses, odds boosts, and free bets as extras—not a reason to wager more than you planned.

  • Never gamble when you’re stressed, upset, tired, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

  • Remember: odds are designed so the house has an edge over time.

Tools many operators offer:

  • Deposit, loss, and wager limits

  • Session or time limits

  • “Cool-off” or temporary self-exclusion periods

  • Full self-exclusion for longer breaks

  • Reality checks and account history so you can see how much time and money you’ve spent

If you use an operator we feature, look for the “Responsible Gambling,” “Play Safe,” or similar section in their footer or account settings. Those tools are there for you—use them early, not only when things feel out of control.

Warning signs of a gambling problem:

  • Chasing losses or “doubling down” to get money back

  • Borrowing money or missing bills to keep betting

  • Hiding or lying about gambling from friends or family

  • Feeling anxious, guilty, or depressed about your betting

  • Struggling to stop even when you want to

If any of this feels familiar, consider it a red flag and reach out for support.

Get help now:

  • 1-800-GAMBLER – 24/7 confidential helpline in many US states

  • NCPG Live Chat: ncpgambling.org/chat

  • Gamblers Anonymous: local meetings and online support

  • SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

You are not alone, and asking for help is a sign of strength.

Legal reminder:
Only gamble where it is legal in your state and only with licensed or appropriately regulated operators. Expect to go through KYC checks and geolocation if you use regulated US sportsbooks. My Extra Life is for 21+ (or higher where local law requires).

How We Make Money (Affiliate Disclosure)

Some of the sportsbooks and casinos we review pay us a commission if you click a link on our site and then sign up or deposit. This helps keep guides like our “best online sportsbooks in 2025” free to read.

We aim to keep our editorial opinions independent and user-first, and we encourage you to always read the operator’s own terms, odds, and responsible gambling pages before you make a decision.

Offer & Third-Party Disclaimers

Bonuses, odds boosts, and welcome offers—like enhanced NFL odds or free bet promotions—are set and controlled by the operators, not My Extra Life. They can change, expire, or be limited to certain states or players without notice.

Always:

  • Read the sportsbook’s official terms and conditions, wagering requirements, and eligibility rules.

  • Confirm that the offer still applies and that you qualify (age, location, account status, etc.).

  • Remember that My Extra Life is not responsible for how a third-party site runs its promotions, payouts, or support.

Protect Yourself Online

Whether you’re browsing reviews or logging into a sportsbook:

  • Use strong, unique passwords for each site.

  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) where possible.

  • Avoid making deposits or logging into betting accounts on public Wi-Fi.

  • Watch for phishing emails or fake sites pretending to be major sportsbooks.

  • Double-check that you’re on the correct domain, such as https://www.myextralife.com/ when reading our guides.

State-Specific Rules

In the US, gambling laws vary widely by state. Some allow full online sports betting; others limit it to retail locations or ban it outright. Offshore sportsbooks may occupy a legal gray area.

Before signing up anywhere:

  • Check your state gaming commission or lottery website for current rules.

  • Understand that you’re responsible for following the laws where you live.

  • When in doubt, seek professional legal guidance—our content is informational only.

If You’re Worried About Immediate Safety

If you ever feel at risk of harming yourself or someone else—whether due to gambling-related stress, debt, or anything else—please seek immediate help:

  • Call 911 (US) or your local emergency number

  • Go to the nearest emergency room

  • Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or medical professional

Your safety is more important than any bet, bonus, or balance.

Contact Us

If you have questions about responsible gambling, find outdated information in our guides, or want to suggest resources we should add, we’d like to hear from you.

Your feedback helps us keep My Extra Life a safer, more helpful place for people who enjoy sports betting and want to stay in control.