Calling a gambling addiction hotline?
Change can only come from you, but it’s much easier with some help. Calling a gambling hotline can get you started on your path to becoming gambling free. Calls are confidential and free; you can hang up anytime.
Summary:
- List of gambling addiction hotline numbers
- What happens when you call?
- Alternatives to calling a hotline
World list of gambling hotlines
We have listed every gambling addiction hotline number we could find online. If you know about any others, please send a message to us so we can include them in our list.
Gambling addiction hotlines in Canada
| State | Phone number | Chat | Name | Organisation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 1-866-461-1259 | Alberta Problem Gambling Resources Network | PGRN | |
| British Columbia | 1-888-795-6111 | British Columbia Problem Gambling Help Line | BCRG | |
| Manitoba | 1-800-463-1554 | Manitoba Addictions Help Line – Problem Gambling | Aidejeu | |
| Newfoundland | 1-888-899-4357 | Newfoundland Problem Gambling Help Line | MsSociety | |
| New Brunswick | 1-800-461-1234 | Gambling Information Line | GNB | |
| Nova Scotia | 1-888-347-8888 | Nova Scotia Problem Gambling Help Line | MHA | |
| Ontario | 1-866-531-2600 | ConnexOntario Help Line | Connex | |
| Prince Edward Island | 1-855-255-4255 | Prince Edward Island Problem Gambling Help Line | Health PEI | |
| Quebec | 1-800-461-0140 | Quebec Gambling: Help and Referral | ||
| Saskatchewan | 1-800-306-6789 | Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Helpline | SPGH | |
| Yukon | 1-866-456-3838 | Yukon Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services |
Gambling Addiction Hotlines in the US
If you have a gambling problem and you want to talk to somebody in the US, there are many betting addiction hotlines The National Council on Problem Gambling has a hotline number that is available in every state. The NCPG hotline number is 800-GAMBLER. Most states have their own support program with a hotline. If that’s the case, we’ve added that below. The national problem gambling hotline 800 GAMBLER is about to become the new country phone number. If you want to read more about 800 Gambler, you find an article about it here.
| State | Hotline number | Chat | Name | Organization | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 211 | Compulsive gambling Support line | ALCCG | Eng | |
| Alaska | 1-800-522-4700 | ✓ | National Gambling Hotline | NCPG | Eng, all |
| Arizona | 800.777.7207 | Confidential Peer Support Helpline | AZCCG | ||
| Arkansas | 1-800-522-4700 | ✓ | National Compulsive Gambling Hotline | NCPG | Eng, all |
| California | 1-800-GAMBLER | ✓ | California Gambling Addiction Hotline | CALPG | Eng, all |
| Colorado | 1-800-522-4700 | ✓ | National Gambling Hotline | NCPG | Eng, all |
| Connecticut | 888.789.7777 | ✓ | CCPG Problem gambling hotline | CCPG | Eng, Spa |
| Delaware | 888.850.8888 | ✓ | Confidential helpline | DEPG | Eng |
| Wash DC | 1-800-522-4700 | National Gambling Hotline | NCPG | Eng, all | |
| Florida | 888-ADMIT-IT | Florida Gambling hotline | FCCG | Eng, Spa | |
| Georgia | 1-866-922-7369 | Georgia Crisis and Access Line | DBHDD | Eng | |
| Hawaii | 1-800-522-4700 | ✓ | National Gambling Hotline | NCPG | Eng, all |
| Idaho | 1-800-522-4700 | ✓ | National Gambling Hotline | NCPG | Eng, all |
| Illinois | 1 800-GAMBLER | ✓ | Illinois Gambling helpline | IDHS | Eng, all |
| Indiana | 800.994.8448 | ✓ | Indiana Gambling Help Line | ICPG | Eng |
| Iowa | 1-888-BETSOFF | ✓ | Iowa problem gambling hotline | YLI | Eng |
| Kansas | 1-800-522-4700 | ✓ | National Gambling Hotline | NCPG | Eng, all |
| Kentucky | 1-800-GAMBLER | ✓ | 1-800-GAMBLER KY | KYCPG | Eng, all |
| Louisiana | 1-877-770-STOP (7867) | ✓ | Help for gambling | LACG | Eng |
| Maine | 211 | Maine’s Problem Gambling Hotline | MCPG | Eng | |
| Maryland | 1-800-GAMBLER | ✓ | 1-800-GAMBLER MD | MDPG | Eng, all |
| Massachusetts | 1-800-GAM-1234 | ✓ | Confidential help for problem gambling | MACGH | Eng |
| Michigan | 1-800-270-7117 | Michigan gambling hotline | MDHHS | Eng | |
| Minnesota | 800.333.HOPE (4673) | ✓ | Minnesota gamblers hotline | MNAPG | Eng |
| Mississippi | 1-888-777-9696 | Mississippi problem gambling hotline | MCPCG | Eng | |
| Missouri | 1-888-BETSOFF | ✓ | 1-888-BETSOFF | MACPG | Eng |
| Montana | 888.900.9979 | 1 and 1 support number Montana | MTPG | Eng | |
| Nebraska | 833-BETOVER (238-6837) | Nebraska confidential gambling helpline | BETOVER | Eng | |
| Nevada | 1-800-522-4700 | ✓ | National Gambling Hotline | NCPG | Eng, all |
| New Hampshire | 1-800-522-4700 | ✓ | National helpline number | NCPG | Eng, all |
| New Jersey | 1-800-GAMBLER | ✓ | 1-800-GAMBLER NJ | CCNJ | Eng, all |
| New Mexico | 1-800-572-1142 | Help is available 24/7 | NMCPG | Eng, Spa | |
| New York | 1-877-8-HOPENY | NY Gambling hotline | OASAS | Eng | |
| North Carolina | 1-800-522-4700 | ✓ | National Gambling Hotline | NCPG | Eng, all |
| North Dakota | 1-800-522-4700 | ✓ | National Gambling Hotline | NCPG | Eng, all |
| Ohio | 1.800.589.9966 | ✓ | Gambling helpline Ohio | OPGORD | Eng |
| Oklahoma | 1-800-522-4700 | ✓ | National Gambling Hotline | NCPG | Eng, all |
| Oregon | 1-877-695-4648 | ✓ | Oregon Problem Gambling Resource | OPGR | Eng, all |
| Pennsylvania | 1-800-GAMBLER | ✓ | 1-800-GAMBLER PA | PAC | Eng, all |
| Rhode Island | 401-354-2877 | Gambling problem phone number RI | RICPG | Eng, all | |
| South Carolina | 1-800-522-4700 | ✓ | National Gambling Hotline | NCPG | Eng, all |
| South Dakota | 1-800-522-4700 | ✓ | National Gambling Hotline | NCPG | Eng, all |
| Tennessee | 1-800-522-4700 | ✓ | National Gambling Hotline | NCPG | Eng, all |
| Texas | 1-800-522-4700 | ✓ | National Gambling Hotline | NCPG | Eng, all |
| Utah | 1-800-522-4700 | ✓ | National Gambling Hotline | NCPG | Eng, all |
| Vermont | 802-488-6000 | Howard Center helpline | HCH | Eng, all | |
| Virginia | 1.888.532.3500 | ✓ | Gambling addiction hotline Virginia | VCPG | Eng, all |
| Washington | 800.547.6133 | ✓ | Evergreen 24-hour Helpline | Evergreen | Eng, all |
| West Virginia | 1-800-GAMBLER | ✓ | 1-800-GAMBLER WV | PGHN | Eng, all |
| Wisconsin | 1-800-426-2535 | ✓ | Gambling addiction hotline Virginia | WIPG | Eng |
| Wyoming | 1-800-522-4700 | ✓ | Gambling help hotline Wyoming | NCPG | Eng, all |
Gambling Addiction Hotlines in Europe
The European gambling market is quite diverse. Some countries are strongly regulated, and others have no gambling regulations at all. Below you find a list of gambling helplines we’ve found in Europe.
| Country | Phone number | Chat | Name | Organization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | – | Spieler Hilfe | ||
| Belgium | 0800/35.777 | SOS GAMBLING | Commission | |
| Bulgaria | 0888-99-18-66 | ✓ | National Gambling helpline | NDAGH |
| Croatia | – | |||
| Cyprus | 1454 or 1456 | Cyprus Gambling Problem Hotline | SA | |
| Czech Republic | +420 222 580 697 | The Prague Helpline | CSSP | |
| Denmark | – | Spillmyndigheten | SMDK | |
| Estonia | +372 6825 243 | Gambling Addiction Counselling | 15410 | |
| Finland | 0800 100 101 | ✓ | Finish Gambling Problem hotline | Peluuri |
| France | – | |||
| Germany | 0800 0776611 | Gluecksspielsucht Problem Gambling Hotline | GSS | |
| Greece | – | |||
| Hungary | +30 211 107 5000 | Hungary Problem Gambling Helpline | Emberbara | |
| Ireland | 1800 753 753 | GambleAware Gambling Helpline | GambleAware | |
| Italy | +39 800 558822 | Italy Help line Gambling | ISS | |
| Latvia | – | |||
| Lithuania | – | |||
| Luxembourg | – | |||
| Malta | 1777 | Malta Gambling Addiction Hotline | RGF | |
| Netherlands | 0800 – 22 777 22 | Gambling Helpline Netherlands | AGOG | |
| Norway | 800 800 40 | ✓ | Hjelpelinjen Pengespill | Helplinjen |
| Poland | – | |||
| Portugal | – | |||
| Romania | – | |||
| Switzerland | 041 367 48 47 | Spielsucht Hilfe | Careplay | |
| Slovakia | 02 / 5341 7464 | Free Helpline for gambling problems | CPLDZ | |
| Slovenia | +386 533 83 200 | Gamblers hotline Slovenia | ZDGO | |
| Spain | 900 533 025 | Problem gambling therapy helpline | Fejar | |
| Sweden | 020-819100 | ✓ | Problem Gambling Helpline | Stödlinjen |
| United Kingdom | 0808 8020 133 | ✓ | UK National Gambling Helpline | GambleAware |
Gambling addiction hotlines other Countries
Below follow a list of countries where we have found helplines for gambling addicts. If you know of any other countries with a gambler’s helpline, please send us a message and we’ll add that to the list.
| Country | Phone number | Chat | Name | Organisation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1800 858 858 | ✓ | Australia National Gambling Helpline | GHO |
| Australia Mult Cult | 1800 752 948 | ✓ | Aboriginal gambling support | |
| Hong Kong | 1834 633 | Ping Wo Fund hotline | Ping Wo | |
| Korea | 1336 | |||
| New Zeeland | 0800 654 655 | ✓ | Gambling Help hotline NZ | Gambling Helpline |
| Singapore | 800 6 66866 | ✓ | Gambling Numbers | |
| South Africa | 0800 006 008 | South Africa Gambling helpline |
What happens when you call a gambling hotline?
Let’s begin by downsizing the call. Calling a gambling help hotline can take a few minutes, but it could be the starting point of something big. We fear speaking up about our problems because we feel shame. DON*T WORRY, the people on the gambling hotline has heard it all. Nothing you’ll say will chock them.
So, what happens when you call a betting addiction hotline? The call will be answered by a kind, well-trained person who is there to listen and give you some guidance. It’s up to you what you choose to make of the information. A typical call could begin like this:
- Hi! Welcome to the gambling hotline. My name is X. How can I help you today?
- Hey, I need help! I lost my last money yesterday and don’t know what to do. My partner doesn’t know anything. I MUST STOP GAMBLING, but I can’t…
- Okay, let’s see what we can do for you…
The gambling hotline rarely does any treatment or counseling itself. The mission is to be the first contact point: To listen to the caller, assess the situation, and refer the person to different addiction treatment options. More about that later.
How does a gambling hotline work?
People are often desperate when they call a gambling addiction number. The staff at the gambling helpline are specially trained to keep calm, and the first step is to create rapport (a fancy word for connection) with the caller. To establish rapport, the staff mainly listens to the caller. When the caller feels heard, the second step is understanding the problem gambler’s situation.
- What is going on in their lives?
- How long have they been gambling?
- Does anybody around them know?
- Are they ready to stop gambling?
In the third step, the staff at the gambling hotline number focuses on giving information. Informing about gambling addiction, how it works, why people get addicted to gambling, etc. Commonly, callers don’t know that gambling can be addictive.
The fourth step is a brief intervention. The intervention helps build motivation in the caller for the next step, to act. In the fifth step, the staff of the gambling addiction phone number explains the next viable step. What support options does the caller have?
The final part of the call summarizes what the conversation has covered. For the staff, it’s vital to ensure that the caller feels satisfied, that the next step fits their expectations, and that there aren’t any further questions.
For the gambling addiction hotline, the goal of the call is to get you to the next step. To get the caller to seek further support. Suppose you want to know more about the process. You can read the following article.
Alternatives to calling a gambling addiction hotline
If you’re not ready to call a gambling help hotline, you’re most welcome to explore QuitGamble.com further. On QuitGamble.com, you’ll find a bunch of self-help resources, support groups, videos, guides, and even a community of problem gambling heroes who wants to stop gambling once and for all.
An alternative to a gambling hotline could be to talk with the members of the 2200+ member large community on QuitGamble.com. You can ask anything, make friends among the members, and start working on yourself to become gambling free. All resource on QuitGamble.com is free to use, and you can work in the comfort of your home on the mobile app or desktop.
If you recently relapsed, we can recommend the relapse guide. The guide is indented to help forgive yourself and get back on your feet. If you want to know more about addiction and how to break free, we recommend the following guide.
What help can you expect from the gambling addiction hotline?
There are some things someone with a gambling disorder can expect from a problem gambling hotline. Here are some things:
- Get things off your chest. Talk to someone that knows how to listen. It’ll allow you to talk about things you might never have told anybody. The person on the gambling hotline is also specialized in gambling addiction.
- You’ll get information about problem gambling, gambling addiction, local resources, and safer gambling. You can also get book tips, videos, and linked information if you want to know more.
- Self-help tools. Many gambling addiction hotlines offer self-help tools as part of their service. The quality of these self-help tools varies between gambling hotlines. Some offer information about healing relationships, setting goals, managing urges, and creating new habits. If you are looking for self-help tools to stop gambling, QuitGamble.com is probably a better option for you. You can read more about the tools you find here.
- As part of the next viable action step, you’ll be offered counseling, appointments with a therapist, or information about support meetings in your area. Calling the hotline is free, but some treatment options cost money depending on where you live.
- The problem gambling hotline can set up a follow-up call if you want. It could be a good option if you want some support later.
