Get help with gambling
Free, confidential support is available in every country listed here. You can talk to someone, set limits, or self-exclude from licensed operators. Nothing on this page is advertising, and there are no betting links anywhere on this site.
Helplines by country
| Country | Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | National Problem Gambling Helpline ncpgambling.org |
1-800-GAMBLER | Call, text or chat · 24/7 · confidential |
| United Kingdom | National Gambling Helpline (GamCare) gamcare.org.uk |
0808 8020 133 | Free · 24/7 |
| Canada | Provincial helplines (e.g. ConnexOntario) connexontario.ca |
1-866-531-2600 | Support varies by province |
| Australia | Gambling Help Online gamblinghelponline.org.au |
1800 858 858 | Free · 24/7 |
| New Zealand | Gambling Helpline gamblinghelpline.co.nz |
0800 654 655 | Free · 24/7 |
| Ireland | Problem Gambling Ireland / HSE problemgambling.ie |
see problemgambling.ie | Support and referrals |
| Sweden | Stödlinjen stodlinjen.se |
020-81 91 00 | Free national support line |
| Germany | BZgA gambling helpline check-dein-spiel.de |
0800 1 37 27 00 | Free · anonymous |
If your country isn’t listed, search for your national problem-gambling helpline or your health service’s support line.
Self-exclusion registers
Self-exclusion asks operators to refuse your custom for a set period. Where a national register exists, one sign-up covers every licensed operator in that jurisdiction — and it cannot be reversed before the period ends.
One registration blocks all UK-licensed online operators. Choose 6 months, 1 year or 5 years; cannot be reversed early.
gamstop.co.uk →Run per state (and per operator). Coverage and reversal rules differ by state — check your state regulator.
ncpgambling.org →One registration covers all licensed Australian online and phone operators.
betstop.gov.au →Signs it may be a problem
- Betting more than you can afford, or chasing losses
- Borrowing money or selling things to gamble
- Gambling to escape stress, or feeling anxious when you stop
- Hiding it from family, or lying about time and money spent
- Work, study or relationships suffering because of it
Support for family & friends
The helplines above also support people affected by someone else’s gambling. GamCare (UK) and the National Problem Gambling Helpline (US) both take calls from family members, and organisations such as Gam-Anon run peer groups for relatives.
Free debt advice
If gambling has led to debt, free and independent advice is available — for example StepChange or National Debtline in the UK, and non-profit credit counselling agencies (NFCC members) in the US. Never pay for debt advice you can get free.