Prediction markets involve real financial risk. A contract can lose value, and repeated trades can cost more than you intended. If trading no longer feels under your control, you do not have to sort it out alone.
The National Problem Gambling Helpline offers support for people concerned about their own behavior or someone else's. Call 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738) at any time. You can also use NCPG's online chat. The longstanding number 1-800-522-4700 remains active. If you are in a mental-health or suicide crisis, call or text 988. In immediate danger, call 911.
What does trading responsibly mean?
Decide in advance how much money and time you can spend, keep track of the total, and stop when you reach your limits. Do not use money set aside for rent, bills, savings goals or other essentials. Neither a legal market nor a well-researched forecast removes the possibility of loss.
Warning signs worth taking seriously
- Increasing the size or frequency of trades to recover a loss.
- Spending more than planned or using money needed for essentials.
- Hiding trades or losses from people close to you.
- Feeling restless when unable to check positions.
- Letting trading interfere with work, sleep or relationships.
These signs are reasons to pause and ask for support; they are not a diagnosis. NCPG's helpline can help you find appropriate resources.
Set limits before you trade
Write down a monthly amount you can afford to lose and a time limit for checking markets. Record deposits and losses outside the platform so you can see the full picture. Stop at the limit you set. Trying to win back a loss by placing a larger trade increases the amount at risk; it does not erase the earlier loss.
If setting your own limits is not enough, use account controls or step away and seek support.
Kalshi's account controls
Kalshi lists three tools in its Responsible Trading Hub (in Kalshi's help center). Sign in and look for Responsible Risk Management in the web sidebar, or in the app's settings/account options. Confirm the current terms in your account before choosing a control.
- Trading Break (in Kalshi's help center): pauses trading for a selected period of at least a day. Kalshi says you cannot sell open positions during the break.
- Voluntary Self-Exclusion (in Kalshi's help center): restricts access to Kalshi markets for the selected period. Kalshi says you cannot sell open positions while excluded. Read the consequences for any open positions and contact Kalshi support if unsure; there is no need to make a rushed trade before seeking help.
- Personalized Funding Cap (in Kalshi's help center): limits what you can deposit in a calendar month. Kalshi says a cap applies to future deposits immediately, while an increase takes effect the following month. Review its restrictions, including wire deposits, before setting it.
Kalshi says a break or exclusion cannot be lifted early. Its documentation also notes these controls do not necessarily restrict access through a third-party futures commission merchant; review the exact scope before relying on a control across accounts. Kalshi points users to SelfExclude.io for exclusion across participating platforms and to Birches Health for support. These are help destinations, not commercial referrals from this site.
For other platforms, check the current help center and account settings or contact support. Do not assume one platform's control applies to another.
Where to get help
For trading-related concerns: Call 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738) or visit NCPG's helpline page for phone, text and chat options. NCPG describes its service as free, confidential and available 24/7 to affected people and loved ones. Standard text or data charges may apply. The older 1-800-522-4700 number remains active. If you need Texas-local resources, tell the counselor your physical location.
For peer support: Gamblers Anonymous lists virtual meetings. The helpline can also direct you to other resources suited to your situation.
For a mental-health or suicide crisis: Call or text 988 in the United States. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available around the clock. Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger. The NCPG helpline is not an emergency response service.
If someone close to you is trading
You can contact NCPG even if you are not the person trading. Describe what you have seen, ask what support is available, and consider what boundaries you need to protect your own finances and wellbeing. You do not need to wait until you can prove a diagnosis.
Why this resource is here
Texas Prediction Markets may earn revenue from commercial referrals elsewhere on the site. This support page carries no affiliate links or promotional offers. If you want a basic explanation of contracts and their risks, see our beginner's guide to prediction markets.
Frequently asked questions
Does a regulated market make a trade risk-free? No. You can lose money on a contract even when trading on a regulated exchange.
How do I set a funding cap on Kalshi? Open Responsible Risk Management in your Kalshi account and select Personalized Funding Cap. Review the current terms before setting a monthly deposit limit; Kalshi says a cap applies to future deposits immediately, while an increase takes effect the next month.
Can I end a Kalshi trading break or self-exclusion early? Kalshi says these selected periods cannot be lifted early. Check how open positions will be handled and contact its support if you have questions.
Will Kalshi self-exclusion cover every platform? No. Check the scope of each account control. SelfExclude.io supports exclusion across participating platforms; verify participation and any separately held accounts.
Can I seek help for a family member? Yes. NCPG's helpline supports concerned family members and friends as well as people worried about their own behavior.
What if I am in crisis right now? Call or text 988 for crisis support in the United States. Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.