Gambling Help by Country
Free, confidential support in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Every entry below was checked on its own official website on October 15, 2026.
United States
- National Problem Gambling Helpline (NCPG): call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738). Run by the National Council on Problem Gambling, it connects you with local help in every state and US territory. ncpgambling.org
- Gamblers Anonymous: free peer-support meetings in person, online and by phone. National hotline 855-222-5542. gamblersanonymous.org
- 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537): used as the problem gambling helpline by several states, including Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. In West Virginia it is a free 24/7 line with counselling and a recovery-support app. If you live elsewhere, the NCPG number above routes you to your own state’s help. 1800gambler.net
Self-exclusion in the US is run state by state. The NCPG helpline can tell you what your state offers.
Canada
- Ontario, ConnexOntario: free, confidential, 24/7 help with gambling, mental health and addiction. Call 1-866-531-2600 or text CONNEX to 247247. connexontario.ca
- Ontario, OLG self-exclusion: OLG runs a confidential, voluntary self-exclusion program for Ontario gaming sites. Details are on OLG’s responsible gambling page and at PlaySmart.ca.
- British Columbia, Gambling Support BC: free 24/7 helpline for BC residents and their families, 1-888-795-6111, with free counselling. bcresponsiblegambling.ca
- British Columbia, BCLC Game Break: voluntary self-exclusion from BC casinos, community gaming centres, bingo halls and PlayNow.com, for 6 months, 1, 2 or 3 years. corporate.bclc.com
- Quebec, Jeu : aide et référence: 24/7 gambling help line. Montréal area 514 527-0140, rest of Quebec 1 800 461-0140. aidejeu.ca
- Across Canada: the Responsible Gambling Council keeps a province-by-province list of self-exclusion programs.
United Kingdom
- National Gambling Helpline: call 0808 8020 133. The helpline was founded by GamCare, which also offers support online. gamcare.org.uk
- GAMSTOP: free self-exclusion that blocks your access to accounts on gambling websites and apps. gamstop.co.uk
- GambleAware: the GambleAware charity closed in March 2026, when Great Britain moved to a statutory levy on gambling operators to fund research, prevention and treatment. Its website is still online, with free advice, a self-assessment and a finder for local support. In England, prevention work now sits with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, a government body. begambleaware.org
- Gamblers Anonymous (England, Wales and Ulster): peer-support meetings every day of the week, 0330 094 0322. gamblersanonymous.org.uk
Other steps that help
Most licensed sites let you set deposit limits, take time-outs or self-exclude from your account settings. Our setting limits guide explains each tool. If someone close to you gambles, the helplines above support family members too.
Gambling101 is not a counselling or crisis service. We list only services we could verify on their official sites. If a number has changed, please tell us at contact@gambling101.com.
Sources
- National Council on Problem Gambling: Helpline
- ConnexOntario
- GAMSTOP
- Pennsylvania DDAP: Problem gambling services (1-800-GAMBLER)
- Virginia DBHDS: Problem gambling (1-800-GAMBLER)
- GambleAware: Legacy report (managed closure, March 2026)
- GOV.UK: Statutory gambling levy
- Responsible Gambling Council: Self-exclusion across Canada
Reviewed by Greg Parsons, editor, against the sources above.