Gambling help and support in the US
Help and support for a gambling problem in the US starts with one free, confidential number: 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), the National Problem Gambling Helpline, open around the clock for calls and texts, with live chat online. From that first contact you can reach state programs, peer groups, professional treatment and practical blocking tools.
By the Best USA Casinos team. Updated . Facts and offers checked October 28, 2026.
Key takeaways
- Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738) any time; it's free and confidential.
- In a crisis, call or text 988 or call 911. The gambling helpline isn't a crisis line.
- Peer groups such as Gamblers Anonymous, GamTalk and Gam-Anon sit alongside professional treatment.
- Blocking software, deposit limits and self-exclusion make it harder to gamble on impulse.
- National helpline
- 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738)
- Hours
- 24/7, every day of the year
- Ways to reach it
- Call, text or online chat
- Crisis line
- 988 (call or text) or 911
- Treatment referral
- SAMHSA 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- Cost
- Free and confidential
Where to get gambling help and support right now
If gambling is costing you more money, time or peace of mind than you planned, the quickest step is the National Problem Gambling Helpline. It's run by the National Council on Problem Gambling (opens in a new tab) (NCPG), it answers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and it costs nothing. You can call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), or open the NCPG helpline chat (opens in a new tab) if typing feels easier than talking.
You don't need a diagnosis, a debt figure or a plan before you get in touch. Many people reach out simply because a bad week has left them uneasy. Our full guide to the National Problem Gambling Helpline explains what the line is and how the number changed in 2025.
| Service | How to reach it | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| National Problem Gambling Helpline (NCPG) | Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738); chat on the NCPG website | Any worry about your own or someone else's gambling |
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | Call or text 988; chat online | Thoughts of self-harm or an emotional crisis |
| Emergency services | Call 911 | Immediate danger |
| SAMHSA National Helpline | 1-800-662-HELP (4357); text your ZIP code to 435748 | Treatment referral for mental health and substance use |
| Gamblers Anonymous | In-person and online meetings listed on its website | Ongoing peer support from people who've been there |
| Gam-Anon | Its own website | Family members and friends |
NCPG says plainly that 1-800-MY-RESET is not a crisis hotline. If you or someone near you is in danger or thinking about suicide, call or text 988, or call 911.
Choosing the right kind of gambling support
Support comes in several forms, and most people use more than one. A helpline is a good door in; peer groups give you people to talk to every week; treatment from a counselor addresses the habits and feelings underneath; and tools such as blocking software put practical distance between you and a bet.
| If this sounds like you | Good first step | Then consider |
|---|---|---|
| You're not sure whether it's a problem | Take a short self-assessment | Talk it through with the national helpline |
| You keep chasing losses at online casinos | Install blocking software and self-exclude | A Gamblers Anonymous meeting or GamTalk |
| You've borrowed or hidden money | Call 1-800-MY-RESET | Debt advice and gambling and debt steps |
| You feel low, anxious or hopeless | Call or text 988 | Professional treatment for gambling and mental health |
| Someone you love gambles | Gam-Anon or the helpline | Our page on help for families |
| You want support at 2 a.m. without speaking | Text the helpline or use NCPG chat | An online peer forum such as GamTalk |
None of these options locks you in. You can try one, step back and try another. What matters is that you keep reaching out until something fits.
How to reach out for help, step by step
Making the first contact is often the hardest part. These steps keep it simple and in your control.
- Pick the channel you're most comfortable with: a call, a text to 1-800-MY-RESET, or the NCPG online chat.
- Find a private moment. A parked car, a walk or a quiet room all work.
- Open with one sentence, such as "I think my gambling is getting out of hand." You can say as much or as little as you like.
- Mention what you gamble on (online casino, sports, lottery, sweepstakes) and roughly how often, if you're comfortable sharing it.
- Ask what's available near you: state programs, counselors, peer meetings and self-exclusion.
- Write down any names, numbers or links you're given before the conversation ends.
- Choose one next action for the coming 24 hours, such as installing a blocker or attending an online meeting.
State help and support programs for gambling
Many states run or fund their own problem gambling services, often through a health department, a lottery or a nonprofit council. These programs can connect you with local counselors, treatment funded by the state and, in some places, a self-exclusion list. Our guide to state problem gambling programs lists the contacts we could confirm.
A few examples show the range. New York runs the OASAS HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (467369). Ohio has a Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966. Arizona offers 1-800-NEXT-STEP (1-800-639-8783) through the Arizona Department of Gaming's Division of Problem Gambling, and Virginia lists 888-532-3500 for calls, texts and chat.
If your state doesn't have a number you can find, the national helpline can route you to services nearby. You never need to work out the system on your own.
Peer support: Gamblers Anonymous, GamTalk and SMART Recovery
Peer support means hearing from people who've lived with the same pull toward gambling. NCPG's list of peer support resources (opens in a new tab) includes several free options that work in different ways.
- Gamblers Anonymous: a fellowship where people share their experience to stop gambling, with in-person and online meetings. See our guide to Gamblers Anonymous.
- GamTalk: an online forum where people with gambling problems swap experiences, support and advice. Our GamTalk guide covers how to use it safely.
- SMART Recovery: a science-based self-management program for addictive behaviors, listed by NCPG among its peer support options.
- Gam-Anon: a group for the family members and friends of people who gamble.
Peer groups work well next to professional care, not instead of it. Many people go to a weekly meeting while also seeing a counselor.
Professional treatment and mental health support
Gambling problems often travel with stress, anxiety, depression or drinking. Treatment from a trained counselor can help with both the gambling and what sits underneath it. Our page on treatment options walks through the main routes, and gambling and mental health covers the overlap in more detail.
For a treatment referral outside the gambling-specific services, the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) is free, confidential and open 24/7, according to a February 2026 referral sheet from the Division on Addiction (opens in a new tab). You can also text your ZIP code to 435748 or search FindTreatment.gov. The same sheet lists 988 for anyone in emotional crisis.
If you're wondering whether recovery is realistic, read is gambling addiction treatable. The short answer is that people do recover, and getting support early makes it easier.
Practical tools that support recovery
Talking helps, and so does friction. The tools below make a bet slower and harder to place, which gives the thinking part of your brain time to catch up with an urge.
| Tool | What it does | Cost or detail as published |
|---|---|---|
| Gamban | Blocks gambling sites and apps on your devices, with progress monitoring and layered self-exclusion | $6.99 a month, or $41.99 a year; 7-day trial at no charge before billing starts |
| BetBlocker | Blocking software | Price and features not confirmed here; check its site |
| National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program | Voluntary self-exclusion information | Ask the NCPG helpline or visit nvsep.org |
| Deposit limits | Cap how much you can add to a gambling account | Set in the account; see our deposit limits guide |
| State self-exclusion lists | Bar you from gambling with operators that state licenses | Varies by state; see state self-exclusion lists |
Gamban's figures come from its published pricing page (opens in a new tab). Our guides to Gamban and BetBlocker compare how each one works.
Help and support with money worries
Money trouble is often what pushes people to ask for help. Gambling losses can lead to borrowing, maxed-out cards and hidden accounts. Facing the numbers is painful, but it's also the point where things start to improve.
- List every debt, including cards, loans, money owed to friends and any overdue bills.
- Hand day-to-day control of cash or cards to someone you trust for a while, if that feels safe.
- Ask your card issuer whether it can block gambling transactions. No named US bank's gambling-block feature is confirmed here, so ask directly.
- Remove saved card details and crypto wallet apps from your phone.
- Talk to the helpline about debt counseling options in your area.
Our pages on gambling and money and whether banks can block gambling go further. If crypto has become part of the problem, read crypto and problem gambling.
Support for family members and friends
Living alongside someone's gambling can be exhausting and isolating. You're allowed to look after yourself, even if the person gambling isn't ready to change. Gam-Anon exists for exactly this group, and the national helpline takes calls from worried relatives too.
Our guide to talking to family about gambling offers ways to open the conversation without blame, and how do I help a friend who gambles gives short, practical answers. Protect shared money first: separate accounts and limits on joint cards can prevent further harm while you work things out.
Why support at offshore online casinos is limited
Only a handful of states license real-money online casinos. Most casino sites that US players see elsewhere are offshore and aren't licensed or regulated by any US state. That matters for anyone trying to cut back, because there's no state regulator overseeing how such a site handles a limit or a self-exclusion request.
If you've been playing at offshore sites, use their account tools if they exist, but don't rely on them alone. Device-level blocking and help from people outside the casino are more dependable. Our guide to self-exclusion at offshore casinos and the comparison of player protections offshore vs licensed explain the gaps.
To understand what the law says where you live, the states hub gives a page for every state and DC. The responsible gambling hub brings all of our help and tool guides together.
21+ (18+ where allowed). Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: responsible gambling tools and free help. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738).
Frequently asked questions
What is the number for gambling help in the US?
The national number is 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), the National Problem Gambling Helpline run by NCPG. You can call or text it any hour of any day, and it's free and confidential. Online chat is also available on the NCPG website. Some states run their own lines as well, which you'll find in our guide to state problem gambling programs. The older 1-800-GAMBLER number is no longer the national line, so save 1-800-MY-RESET instead.
Is gambling help and support free?
Yes, the main help lines are free. The National Problem Gambling Helpline, the SAMHSA National Helpline and the 988 crisis line don't charge callers, and peer groups such as Gamblers Anonymous and GamTalk are free to join. Some tools cost money; Gamban, for example, publishes a price of $6.99 a month or $41.99 a year. Many state programs fund counseling as well, so ask about costs when you call. See treatment options for more on paying for care.
Can I get help without telling my family?
Yes, you can. The national helpline describes its service as confidential, and you choose what to share. Peer forums such as GamTalk let you take part under a username. Many people find that, with time, involving one trusted person helps, especially with money. That's your decision to make at your own pace. Our help for families page has ideas for when and how to start that conversation.
Is the 1-800-MY-RESET gambling support line for emergencies?
No, the gambling support line isn't for emergencies: NCPG states that 1-800-MY-RESET is not a crisis hotline. It's there for questions, support and referrals about gambling. If you're thinking about suicide or are in immediate danger, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911. You can contact the gambling helpline afterward, once you're safe. Our page on gambling and mental health covers the link between the two in more depth.
How do I know if I need gambling support?
If you're asking the question, it's worth talking to someone. Common warning signs include spending more than you planned, chasing losses, borrowing to gamble, hiding play from others and feeling restless when you try to stop. A quick self-assessment can help you think it through, and our list of signs of a gambling problem explains each one. You don't have to hit rock bottom to deserve help.
What support is there for families of gamblers?
Families can turn to Gam-Anon, a support group for relatives and friends of people with gambling problems, and to the national helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET, which you can contact even if you don't gamble yourself. Practical steps such as protecting joint accounts matter too. Read our guides on help for families and talking to family about gambling for ways to look after yourself while supporting someone else.
Can I block online casinos on my phone?
Yes. Blocking software such as Gamban or BetBlocker can stop gambling sites and apps from opening on your devices. Gamban publishes prices of $6.99 a month or $41.99 a year after a 7-day trial; BetBlocker's details aren't confirmed here, so check its site. Blocking works best alongside other support. Our blocking software guide compares options, and how do I block gambling sites gives quick setup steps.
Where can I find a counselor for gambling addiction?
Start with the national helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET, which can refer you to counselors and programs in your area. Your state's problem gambling program may fund treatment directly, and the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) gives treatment referrals for mental health and substance use. Our treatment options page explains the types of care available and how to choose between them.
Where can I get problem gambling support in Arizona?
In Arizona, the state's gambling help line is 1-800-NEXT-STEP (1-800-639-8783), run through the Arizona Department of Gaming's Division of Problem Gambling. It can connect you with local counselors and services. The national line, 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), works in Arizona too, by call, text or chat, and can route you to nearby help if you're unsure where to start. Both are free and confidential. Our Arizona state page covers the state's gambling laws, and the state problem gambling programs directory lists help in every other state.
Can I get gambling help by text message?
Yes, you can text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), and NCPG's SMS terms also list 1-800-522-4700 for texting. Texting suits people who can't talk privately or find typing easier than speaking. NCPG also offers live online chat on its website. Some state lines take texts as well; Virginia, for example, lists 888-532-3500 for calls, texts and chat. If you're in crisis, text 988 instead, since the gambling helpline isn't a crisis line. Our page on what 1-800-MY-RESET is explains how the national number works.
Can I get gambling support for sweepstakes casino play?
Yes, gambling support covers sweepstakes casinos just as it covers real-money casinos, sports betting and lottery play. Sweepstakes sites use Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins and describe themselves as something other than gambling, but if the spending, chasing or secrecy feels the same, the same help applies. Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET, join a peer group, and add a blocker to your devices. Several states, including New York, New Jersey and California, have banned the dual-currency model. Our guide to sweepstakes casino bans explains the law, and blocking software covers the practical side.
Where can young people get gambling help and support?
Young people can contact the same free, confidential National Problem Gambling Helpline as anyone else, by calling or texting 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738) or using NCPG's online chat. Talking to a parent, school counselor or doctor is another good first step. Casino gambling is restricted to adults, usually 21 in the US, yet teens can still be drawn in through games, betting apps and social media. Families can get support too. Our guide to young people and gambling covers warning signs, and the gambling age by state page lists the legal limits.
What gambling support is there if I relapse?
All the same help is still there after a relapse, and returning to it quickly is what matters most. Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET to talk through what happened, go back to a Gamblers Anonymous meeting or GamTalk, and tell your counselor if you have one. Then close whatever gap made the slip possible, such as an open account or an unprotected phone. Setbacks are common in recovery and don't erase progress. Our pages on Gamblers Anonymous and treatment options explain how ongoing support works.