National Problem Gambling Helpline
1-800-GAMBLER
Free, confidential, 24/7 gambling addiction support across all 50 states.
Call 1-800-GAMBLEROr dial 1-800-426-2537 directly.
Not in crisis right now? Browse Cope Compass for ongoing recovery support.
How Cope Compass fits
The helpline is the best first 30 minutes. A trained counselor, anonymous, free, no paper trail. After that call, you still have the months that follow: meetings, urge tools, a therapist who actually treats gambling disorder, the money mess, the conversation with your partner. That is where Cope Compass lives.
Call 1-800-GAMBLER first. Come back here for the rest.
What happens when you call
A trained counselor picks up. You do not have to share your name, your location, or anything you do not want to. Most calls last 15 to 30 minutes. The counselor will listen, ask a few questions to understand what you are dealing with, and help you decide what to do next.
If you are in crisis, the counselor stays on the line as long as you need. If you are not in crisis, the counselor helps you sketch a plan: a therapist who treats gambling disorder, a meeting that fits your schedule, a financial counselor, or a self-exclusion option. Nothing is mandatory; nothing is logged in a way that follows you.
Languages, hours, and access
- Available 24/7, including overnight, weekends, and holidays.
- Free. No charge to call. No insurance required. No payment information requested.
- Confidential and anonymous. No name required. No sharing with insurance or employers.
- English and Spanish support available 24/7.
- Text 1-800-GAMBLER if calling is not private or comfortable right now.
- Live chat at ncpgambling.org runs 24/7.
- All 50 states. Calls route to your state council if one exists; otherwise to the national line.
If you are calling about someone else
1-800-GAMBLER is also for family members, partners, parents, and friends of someone with a gambling problem. The counselor will help you think through how to approach the conversation, where to find Gam-Anon (a 12-step group for loved ones), and what professional help looks like for both of you. You do not need to wait until they are ready to call themselves.
State-specific helplines
Several states operate their own dedicated problem-gambling helplines that supplement the national line. If you have a strong preference to talk to a counselor in your state, our state directory lists each state council with its hotline number, councilor staffing model, and the providers it accredits.
What Cope Compass does next
The helpline is the start, not the finish. Once the 30-minute call ends, the work of staying out is yours to carry, and that is where we come in. The most common next steps:
- Find a Gamblers Anonymous meeting. GA, SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery, and Gam-Anon all run online and in person; most meetings are free.
- Find a licensed therapist who treats gambling disorder. Filter by state, insurance, and provider type.
- Address the financial damage if money problems are part of the picture.
- Take the self-assessment if you are not sure whether what you are dealing with rises to the level of disorder.
Frequently asked questions
Is 1-800-GAMBLER free?
Yes. The National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) is free to call from anywhere in the United States. There is no charge for the call, no fee for the support, and no requirement to share insurance or payment information.
Is 1-800-GAMBLER 24 hours?
Yes. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. Trained counselors are on call overnight, on weekends, and during holidays. If you call at 3 a.m., a real person picks up.
Is 1-800-GAMBLER confidential?
Yes. Calls are anonymous and confidential. You do not have to give your name, your location, or any identifying information. The helpline does not share names or numbers with insurance, employers, or any database that follows you.
Who picks up when I call 1-800-GAMBLER?
Calls route to the nearest state-funded helpline based on your area code. If your state has a dedicated problem-gambling helpline, you connect to a local counselor trained in your state's resources. If your state does not have one, you connect to the National Council on Problem Gambling's national line. Either way, the counselor is trained specifically in problem gambling, not generic crisis intervention.
What can the helpline actually help with?
The counselor will listen without judgment, help you talk through what is happening, and connect you with local resources: licensed therapists who treat gambling disorder, in-person and online Gamblers Anonymous meetings, treatment programs, financial counseling, and self-exclusion options. They will also help if you are calling about a partner, parent, or friend rather than yourself.
Can I text or chat instead of calling?
Yes. The National Problem Gambling Helpline supports text (text 1-800-GAMBLER) and live chat at ncpgambling.org. Both options are free, confidential, and run 24/7. Some people prefer text or chat when calling out loud is not safe or private at the moment.
Will calling 1-800-GAMBLER show up on my insurance or credit?
No. Calling the helpline is not a medical service and does not create a billing record, an insurance claim, or any credit-bureau footprint. There is no paper trail. If you decide later to see a therapist or attend a treatment program, that step is separate from the helpline call and you control whether and how it gets recorded.
Does 1-800-GAMBLER offer help in Spanish?
Yes. Spanish-language support is available 24/7. When you call, ask for Spanish or press the corresponding prompt. The same applies to text and chat.
If you are in immediate danger
If you are thinking about hurting yourself or someone else, dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 988 is available 24/7 and includes specific support for crisis related to addiction and gambling losses.