Phone numbers, hours and programmes change. Always check the official website before you rely on a number. Last checked: 17 October 2026.
United States
- Gambling helpline
- National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738). Call, text or chat. 24/7, free, confidential. Family members can call too. ncpgambling.org
- Crisis line
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call, text or chat, 24/7. 988lifeline.org
- Self-exclusion
- There's no national list. Every state runs its own. Search for "[your state] gaming commission self-exclusion". Some states offer lifetime exclusion. Where it exists, choose it.
- Free credit counselling
- NFCC (National Foundation for Credit Counseling), a non-profit network: 877-360-6322. nfcc.org
- Bank gambling block
- Rarely offered by US banks as a block you can switch on yourself. Give your cards to your key person and put blocking software on every device.
Canada
- Gambling helpline
- Each province has its own. Ontario: ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600 (24/7, text CONNEX to 247247). British Columbia: 1-888-795-6111 (24/7). Quebec: Jeu: aide et référence 1-800-461-0140 (24/7, also for families). Alberta: 1-866-332-2322 (24/7). Other provinces: responsiblegambling.org
- Crisis line
- 9-8-8. Call or text, 24/7, English and French. 988.ca
- Self-exclusion
- By province. Ontario online: BetGuard (one sign-up covers all regulated Ontario sites). Ontario venues: OLG My PlayBreak. BC: Game Break. Quebec: Loto-Québec. Alberta: AGLC. None offers lifetime exclusion; choose the longest and put the end date in your calendar so you renew in time.
- Free credit counselling
- Credit Counselling Canada (non-profit): creditcounsellingcanada.ca. Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency
- Bank gambling block
- Rarely offered. Rely on your key person and blocking software.
United Kingdom
- Gambling helpline
- National Gambling Helpline (GamCare): 0808 8020 133. Free, 24/7. Also chat and WhatsApp. For you, a friend or a family member. gamcare.org.uk
- Crisis line
- Samaritans: 116 123. Free, 24/7. samaritans.org
- Self-exclusion
- GAMSTOP covers all licensed online sites: 6 months, 1 year or 5 years, and it can't be lifted early. gamstop.co.uk. Betting shops: Gamstop Betting Shops 0800 294 2060. Casinos: SENSE. Bingo and arcades: see gamblingcommission.gov.uk
- Free debt advice
- StepChange: 0800 138 1111, stepchange.org. National Debtline: 0808 808 4000, nationaldebtline.org
- Bank gambling block
- Widely offered by UK banks, often with a wait of 48 to 72 hours before you can turn it off. Look in your banking app, or ask.
Ireland
- Gambling helpline
- Extern Problem Gambling: 089 241 5401 (callback, Mon to Fri). Northern Ireland: 07537 188575. Free counselling, also for family members. problemgambling.ie. GamblingCare.ie: 1800 936 725 (free, 24/7; funded by the betting industry through the Gambling Awareness Trust).
- Crisis line
- Samaritans: 116 123. Free, 24/7. samaritans.org/ireland
- Self-exclusion
- A National Gambling Exclusion Register is planned by the regulator. Check grai.ie. Until it opens, ban yourself with each operator you've used.
- Free debt advice
- MABS: 0818 07 2000. Free and confidential. mabs.ie
- Bank gambling block
- Offered by several Irish banks. Ask yours.
Australia
- Gambling helpline
- Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858. Free, 24/7, chat too. Also for family and friends. gamblinghelponline.org.au
- Crisis line
- Lifeline: 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14. Emergencies: 000. lifeline.org.au
- Self-exclusion
- BetStop covers all licensed online and phone betting, from 3 months up to a lifetime, and it can't be shortened. betstop.gov.au. For pubs, clubs and casinos, each state has its own programme; ask the helpline.
- Free debt advice
- National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007. Free, non-profit. ndh.org.au
- Bank gambling block
- Offered by several Australian banks. Ask yours.
New Zealand
- Gambling helpline
- Gambling Helpline: 0800 654 655, free text 8006, 24/7. Also for whānau and family. gamblinghelpline.co.nz
- Crisis line
- Call or text 1737, 24/7. Emergencies: 111. 1737.org.nz
- Self-exclusion
- Venues and casinos: if you ask them to exclude you, they're required by law to issue an exclusion order (up to 2 years). Online: online casinos are being licensed, but there's no national self-exclusion list yet. Check dia.govt.nz
- Free debt advice
- MoneyTalks: 0800 345 123. Free. moneytalks.co.nz
- Bank gambling block
- Ask your bank.
Any country: blocking software
- BetBlocker
- Free, always. Run by a charity. Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS. betblocker.org
- Gamban
- Paid (annual or monthly), with a short free trial. iOS, Android, Windows, Mac. gamban.com
- GamBlock
- Paid. Windows, Mac, iOS, Android. gamblock.com
If your country isn't listed
Search for these four things, and only trust official sites: government, regulator, or a registered charity.
- "[your country] gambling helpline"
- "[your country] gambling self-exclusion", or the name of your gambling regulator
- "[your country] free debt advice", from government or non-profit services only
- "[your country] suicide crisis line"
Then write the helpline on your emergency card. Get the free cards.