What Are the Organizations that Help Compulsive Gamblers?
If gambling becomes a problem and responsible gaming tools don’t work, then professionals and support groups will come to help.
There are many associations and non-profit organisations worldwide who offer advice, support and rehabilitation, often within reach of a phone or a website.
Depending on institution, they could provide anything from advice to education and even high quality innovative therapeutic support through residential, online and outreach services. Others specialise in neuropsychiatric rehabilitation or support to those affected by another person's gambling habits. Most of these services offer free practical advice, whereas problem gamblers can also remain anonymous and be confident that their information is confidential at all times.
Sometimes just sharing with someone what's going on can be a relief, and it’s an important first step towards dealing with the problem.
Most Known Institutions for Problem Gambling
Here are some of the most popular helplines, organisations and charity foundations that specialise helping problem gamblers, including programmes of treatment, education, harm prevention and research.
BeGambleAware
Visit: begambleaware.org
GamCare
Visit: gamcare.org.uk
Tel: 0808 8020 133 (National Gambling Helpline Freephone)
Gamblers Anonymous
Visit: gamblersanonymous.org
Gambling Therapy
Visit: gamblingtherapy.org (live chat available)
Note that although some of them are UK-focused, you’ll also find multilingual live support. The advisors are usually available from 8am to midnight, seven days a week or 24/7.
Main Addiction Support and Prevention Care Centres Worldwide
Here’s a list of other support organisations by country, including their phone numbers, if available.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Gam-Anon (for friends and family members affected)
Visit: gamanon.org.uk
Gordon House Association
Visit: www.gordonmoody.org.uk
Tel: 01384 241292
Gamblers Anonymous
Visit: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk (including forum)
CNWL National Problem Gambling
Visit: www.cnwl.nhs.uk
Tel: 0800 0234 650
Cygnet Health Care
Visit: www.cygnethealth.co.uk/
🇨🇦 Canada
Canadian Consortium for Gambling Research
Visit: www.ccgr.ca
Responsible Gambling Council (RGC)
Visit: www.responsiblegambling.org
British Columbia Partnership for Responsible Gambling
Visit: www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca
Tel: 888-795-6111
Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline
Visit: www.connexontario.ca
Tel: 888-230-3505
Quebec Gambling Help
Visit: www.jeu-aidereference.qc.ca
Tel: 800-461-0140
🇳🇿 New Zealand
The Ministry of Health
Visit: www.health.govt.nz
Tel: (04) 496 2000
Gambling Helpline New Zealand
Visit: www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz
Tel: 0800 654 655
🇺🇸 United States
The National Problem Gambling Helpline Network
Visit: www.ncpgambling.org
Tel: 1-800-522-4700
🇦🇺 Australia
Australia Gambling Help
Visit: www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
Tel: 1800 858 858
🇿🇦 South Africa
South African Responsible Gambling Foundation
Visit: www.responsiblegambling.co.za
Tel: 0800 006 008
🇮🇪 Ireland
GambleAware Ireland
Visit: www.gambleaware.ie
Tel: 1800 753 753
🇩🇰 Denmark
Danish Gambling Authority
Visit: www.spillemyndigheden.dk
🇫🇷 France
Adictel Prevention Addiction
Visit: www.adictel.com
🇩🇪 Germany
Gluecksspielsucht
Visit: www.gluecksspielsucht.de
Tel: 0800 0776611
🇨🇠Switzerland
Careplay
Visit: www.careplay.ch
Tel: 041 367 48 47
🇲🇹 Malta
Responsible Gambling Foundation
Visit: www.rgf.org.mt
🇳🇱 Netherlands
AGOG
Visit: www.agog.nl
Tel: 0900-2177721
🇳🇴 Norway
Hjelpelinjen
Visit: www.hjelpelinjen.no
Tel: 800 800 40
🇸🇪 Sweden
Stödlinjen
Visit: www.stodlinjen.se
You may also find further support from the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, the Alderney Gambling Control Commission or your national online casino licensing authority.
Parental Control Measures
Here’s a list of popular parental control software that will help you proactively prevent against the risk of minors accessing gambling websites. This is done by blocking access to these websites entirely or during specific hours.
- CyberSitter
- Netmom
- Contentwatch
- CyberPatrol
- Netnanny.
Although casinos are taking precautions to help players with gambling addiction with self-assessments, limits and self-exclusions, players with gambling problems are never alone and can always refer to one of the organisations for further help. The services and treatments are offered by trained advisers or therapists, are mostly free, accessible for the most part of the day, and are completely confidential.
