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Gambling help by country: free helplines and support services
Free, confidential gambling support in the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland, with helplines and self-exclusion schemes.
- Support is free and confidential in every country listed here, and most lines are open 24 hours.
- You do not need to be in crisis to call. Helplines also talk to family and friends.
- If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number.
Helplines and services
| Country | Service | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| United States | National Problem Gambling Helpline (National Council on Problem Gambling) | 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) |
| Great Britain | National Gambling Helpline (GamCare) | 0808 8020 133, 24 hours, and live chat |
| Canada (Ontario) | ConnexOntario | 1-866-531-2600; other provinces run their own lines |
| Australia | Gambling Help Online | 1800 858 858, 24 hours, and online counselling |
| New Zealand | Gambling Helpline | 0800 654 655 |
| Ireland | Health Service Executive and the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland list current services | See the regulator’s and HSE websites |
Numbers and opening hours can change. The organisations’ own websites, linked in the sources below, are the reference.
Self-exclusion schemes
- Great Britain: GAMSTOP covers online operators licensed by the Gambling Commission. Separate schemes cover betting shops, casinos, arcades and bingo venues.
- Australia: BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, covers licensed online and phone wagering providers.
- United States: self-exclusion is run state by state, usually by the gaming regulator or lottery, and may cover casinos, online operators or both.
- Canada: provincial operators and regulators run their own programmes.
How exclusion and blocking tools fit together is explained in limits and tools.
What happens when you make contact
An adviser listens and asks what is going on. Nothing is reported to an employer, bank or gambling company. Depending on the service, they can talk through immediate steps, refer you to local counselling or treatment, and explain exclusion and blocking tools. You decide what happens next.
If you are worried about someone else
- The same helplines support partners, parents, children and friends.
- Protect shared finances first: separate accounts, and take advice before covering debts.
- Encourage, do not police. People are more likely to accept help they have chosen.
- Look after your own wellbeing; several services run groups for affected family members.
About this page
CasinoNews publishes information about gambling for adults. We do not offer treatment or advice, and we earn nothing from operators. Our reader care policy explains how we handle this subject.
Common questions
Is the gambling helpline free?
Yes. The national services listed here are free to call and confidential.
Can family members call a gambling helpline?
Yes. Helplines support anyone affected by someone else’s gambling as well as people who gamble.
What is 1-800-GAMBLER?
It is the National Problem Gambling Helpline number in the United States, operated by the National Council on Problem Gambling, which connects callers to local resources.
Sources
Checked 11 November 2026. Rules and published figures change; confirm against the current official page before relying on them.
- National Council on Problem Gambling (United States)
- GamCare (Great Britain)
- GAMSTOP — online self-exclusion scheme (Great Britain)
- Gambling Help Online (Australia)
- BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register (Australia)
- Gambling Helpline (New Zealand)
- ConnexOntario (Ontario, Canada)
- Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland
- Gambling Commission — Self-exclusion
Publication byline. Prepared with AI assistance and checked against the linked sources; see our editorial standards. This page is information, not advice, and contains no affiliate links.