Lost a Lot of Money Gambling?

Watching money disappear that you can't afford to lose is a terrible feeling.

The night of a big loss is when the worst decisions get made. If that's where you are right now, this page is for you.

First, if your mind is going to dark places

Research has found that people with gambling problems face a much higher risk of suicidal thoughts, and debt is one of the biggest reasons. If that's where your head is tonight, it tells you how much pain you're in. It doesn't mean there's no way out. Money problems can be worked out. Please call or text 988 now and tell them what happened.

Tonight: don't try to win the money back

Right after a loss, winning it back can feel like the only logical move. That's called chasing, and it's one of the nine signs of gambling disorder. Chasing is how one bad night turns into an empty bank account. Read why chasing feels so convincing.

You don't have to fix anything tonight. Your only job is to not make it worse.

Tonight: lock everything down

• Use the sportsbook's own break tools. Most apps let you set a cool-off or self-exclusion in the responsible gaming section of your account settings. DraftKings, for example, offers cool-offs from 3 to 364 days.
• Self-exclude in your state. State self-exclusion covers every licensed sportsbook at once. See how it works.
• Install a blocker. BetBlocker is free and can be locked for anywhere from a day up to five years. There are more options in how to block sports betting apps.
• Hand off your cards. Give your debit and credit cards to someone you trust for the night, or lock them in your bank's app.
• Delete the apps. Then close the accounts when you're ready.

Tonight: no big decisions

Don't take out a loan, cash out savings, sell anything or send a big confession by text at 2 a.m. In one study, a single night without sleep made people more drawn to gains and less bothered by losses. Exhausted and panicked is the worst state to decide anything in. Almost all of it can wait until you've slept.

Tonight: tell one person

You don't have to tell everyone. Tell one person you trust, or call or text 1-800-MY-RESET. Research on people in gambling treatment found that more social support predicted better results. Saying it out loud also makes it harder to go back to the app.

Tomorrow: face the numbers on what you lost

Once you've slept, write down three lists: what you lost, what you owe, and which bills are due in the next 30 days. Seeing it on paper is hard. It's also where a plan starts.

• Call creditors early. The FTC suggests reaching out before you fall behind or a debt collector gets involved. Ask about a payment plan and get any agreement in writing.
• Don't use a payday loan to fill the gap. The CFPB says a typical two-week payday loan works out to an APR of almost 400%.
• Call a nonprofit credit counselor. NFCC.org can help you make a plan for what you owe. If you're worried about your mortgage, a HUD-approved housing counselor is free at 800-569-4287.
• Avoid debt relief scams. Walk away from anyone who wants money upfront or guarantees results.
• Don't touch retirement money. If you're tempted, read what cashing out a 401(k) really costs first.

Can you get the money back from the sportsbook?

Usually not. If the bets were legal and placed on your own account, losses generally aren't refunded. If you had already self-excluded, or you were underage, contact your state's gaming regulator and ask what your options are.

If the money you lost wasn't yours

If you lost money that belonged to someone else, telling them will be one of the hardest conversations you ever have. The longer it stays hidden, the more the lies add to the damage. This guide helps you plan the conversation. If the money came from an employer, a business or anywhere the law could be involved, talk to a lawyer before you do anything else.

This week: make it the last time

• Take the 9 signs self-check and be honest with yourself.
• Follow the plan for the first 24 hours after your last bet.
• Find a GA or SMART Recovery meeting. Plenty of them are online tonight.
• Start a plan to get out of debt.

FAQ

I just lost all my money gambling. What should I do first?

Stop betting for the night. Lock your accounts and cards, and tell one person or call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738). Save the money decisions for tomorrow, after you've slept.

Should I try to win it back?

Please don't. Trying to win back losses is called chasing, and it's one of the main ways a bad night turns into a financial disaster.

Can a sportsbook refund my losses?

Generally not for legal bets on your own account. If you were self-excluded or underage when you bet, contact your state gaming regulator.

How do I pay my bills after a big gambling loss?

List what's due and call your creditors before you fall behind. Get free help from a nonprofit credit counselor at NFCC.org. Stay away from payday loans and anyone who charges upfront to fix your debt.

Written by the Unbettable team · Updated October 8, 2026

Sources: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; NCPG: 1-800-MY-RESET (2026); Marionneau and Nikkinen, gambling-related suicides review, Frontiers in Psychiatry (2022); Karlsson and Håkansson, Journal of Behavioral Addictions (2018); DSM-5 gambling disorder criteria; Gaming.net: DraftKings custom cool-offs (2026); BetBlocker; Venkatraman et al., sleep deprivation and risky choices, Journal of Neuroscience (2011); Petry and Weiss, social support in gambling treatment (2009); FTC: how to get out of debt; CFPB: payday loan APR; NFCC.

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