Discover telephone lines, websites and health centres specialising in gambling addiction.
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.
What is problem gambling?
Problem gambling is an addiction characterized by an inability to control gambling behavior, leading to negative personal, financial, and social consequences.
What organizations provide help for problem gamblers?
There are several organizations that offer support and resources for compulsive gamblers, including the u003ca href=u0022https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Council_on_Problem_Gambling_(United_States)u0022u003eNational Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)u003c/au003e, GamCare in the UK, and Gamblers Anonymous. These organizations provide helplines, counseling services, support groups, and educational materials.
Do online casinos have any responsibility for problem gambling?
Many online casinos have self-exclusion tools and links to problem gambling resources on their websites. However, the primary responsibility lies with the player to gamble responsibly and seek help if needed
What are some signs of problem gambling?
Signs of problem gambling include gambling with increasing frequency and amounts, neglecting other aspects of life, lying about gambling, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not gambling.
