Gambling Problem Numbers: How to Get Help, Treatment Directly

Key Points

• The National Problem Gambling Helpline is available 24/7, every day. 

• However, some states have their own state-specific problem gambling hotline numbers

• Gambling addiction treatment options vary depending on individual need, and today there are more available than ever before, including virtual care with Birches Health.

• Support for gambling addiction is available both in-person and online

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The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) was formed in 1972 as a response to a need for the development of policies and programs for those affected by problem gambling. In 2021, a modernization project was launched in an effort to make access to gambling resources more comprehensive and user friendly, starting with a central number that could be used across all 50 states in the country. However, there are many states that continue to promote their own gambling resource hotline numbers, which has resulted in a fragmented system and a jumbled collection of numbers of different sizes in small legal text at the bottom of ads and commercials. 

National Gambling Addiction Helplines

National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER)

The National Problem Gambling Helpline is run and operated by the National Council on Problem Gambling and is a helpline service that connects people to local resources for problem gambling-related assistance. It has 28 contact centers that cover all 50 states, including U.S. territories. Support is available 24/7/365. It is important to note that this is not meant to be a crisis hotline and if you or a loved one is in crisis, you should call 911 or 988. 

It is worth mentioning that in the fragmented system of some states having their own numbers, the National Problem Gambling Helpline can also route individuals directly to their local state hotline number. The NCPG is also actively working with contact centers to obtain permission to use data from hotline calls, chats and texts to gain better insight into problem gambling trends. This data can help drive policy and advocacy moving forward as the fight against gambling addiction continues. 

Birches Health: 833-483-3838

Birches Health focuses specifically on offering specialized, virtual counseling for individuals struggling with gambling addiction. Birches provides direct access to a care team of problem gambling-certified counselors, with the virtual treatment allowing it from the comfort of one's own home to remove the logistical barriers of travel and schedule changes. Birches also accepts most major insurance plans to help keep care affordable for those who need it. 

Birches Health offers the following ways to connect:

• Call 833-483-3838

• Click to book an appointment

• Email help@bircheshealth.com

Gam-Anon: 718-352-1671

Gam-Anon is a large network of support groups for individuals affected by someone else’s gambling addiction. Gam-Anon follows a 12-step self-help model that encourages fellowship, guidance and mutual support through shared experiences. In addition to meetings, Gam-Anon offers literature and info on their website as well. 

While most other problem gambling support options focus on the people dealing with the addiction, Gam-Anon specializes in helping those impacted by others’ gambling-related challenges. Those impacts can be significant in many cases, so the support offered by Gam-Anon is critical and highly commendable.

State-specific phone numbers & helplines

While the National Council on Problem Gambling has a national hotline available that can connect individuals to information in all 50 states, some states also have their own dedicated helplines to assist their residents with local gambling addiction resources. Individuals in the following states can use the below information to contact local gambling addiction resources: 

• Alabama | Call: 211 

• Arizona | Call or text: 800-NEXT-STEP | Arizona Dept of Gaming: Problem Gambling

• Colorado | Call or Text: 800-522-4700 | Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado

• Connecticut | Call 888-789-7777

• Delaware | Call 888-850-8888 

• Florida | Call: 888-ADMIT-IT

• Georgia | Call: 800-715-4225 

• Indiana | Call: 800-994-8448 | 866-699-4274 | Tex: INGAMB to 53342 

• Louisiana | Call: 877-770-STOP

• Maine | Call: 207-520-0293 

• Maryland | Call: 800-426-2537

• Massachusetts | Call: 617-624-5012 or 800-327-5050 

• Michigan | Call: 800-270-7117 

• Minnesota | Call: 800-333-HOPE | Text: HOPE To 53342

• Mississippi | Call: 888-777-9696 | Text: MSGAMBLER to 53342

• Missouri | Call: 800-BETS-OFF

• Montana | Call: 888-900-9979 

• Nebraska | Call or Text: 833-238-6837 

• Nevada | Call: 702-369-9740

• New Hampshire | Call: 603-724-1605

• New Jersey | Call: 800-GAMBLER | Referral Information

• New Mexico | Call: 800-572-1142 

• New York | Call: 877-846-7369 

• North Carolina | Call 877-718-5543 | NC Dept of Health & Human Services partnership with Birches Health

• Ohio | Call: 800-589-9966 | Text: 4hope to 741741 

• Oregon | Call: 877-MY-LIMIT | Text: 503-713-6000

• Pennsylvania | Call: 215-643-4542 

• Rhode Island | Call: 877-9GAMBLE (1-877-942-6253) 

• South Carolina | Call: 877-452-5155

• South Dakota | Call: 888-781-HELP

• Tennessee | Call or Text: 800-889-9789

• Vermont | Call: 800-488-6000

• Virginia | Call: 888-532-3500 | Virginia Council on Problem Gambling

• Washington | Call or Text: 800-547-6133 

• West Virginia | Call: 800-426-2537

• Wisconsin | Call: 800-426-2535 | Text: 850-888-4673

• Wyoming | Call or Text: 800-522-4700 

Trends & stats from helplines in legal sports betting states

State-specific helplines are beneficial in gathering data in relation to gambling addiction in states where sports betting has been legalized. The Florida gambling hotline saw an 88% increase in calls related to gambling addiction support in 2024. In 2023 Florida received 34,000 calls for support with problem gambling, which increased to 61,000 in 2024. The majority of calls received by the hotline were from males aged 20-25. 

New Jersey experienced a 277% increase to their state specific gambling hotline since the state legalized online sports betting in 2018. New Jersey also reported that 100% of recent calls to the hotline were from males under the age of 25 that were struggling with behaviors related to sports betting. 

Other states have also seen increases:

• Virginia: 973% increase in the number of helpline callers between 2019 and 2023

• Ohio: 227% increase from January 2022 to January 2023

• Massachusetts: 121% increase from July 2022 to June 2023