Gambling terms, explained straight

Responsible Gambling & Harm

Gambling helpline

A gambling helpline is a free, confidential service that provides information, advice, support, and referrals to anyone affected by problem gambling or gambling-related harm.

US helpline number
1-800-GAMBLER, 1-800-MY-RESET, or 1-800-522-4700, available 24/7/36512
UK helpline number
0808 8020 133 (Wales: 0808 2819 265), available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year34

Key points

  • Gambling helplines are free, confidential, and open 24/7/365 in the US and 24 hours daily in the UK13.
  • Trained advisers offer support, advice, and referrals to local resources via phone, text, or live chat15.
  • The service is a first point of contact for anyone worried about their own or a loved one's gambling1.

Common questions

What is the gambling hotline number?

In the US, the gambling hotline numbers are 1-800-GAMBLER, 1-800-MY-RESET, and 1-800-522-4700. In the UK, the National Gambling Helpline is 0808 8020 133.

What is gambling helpline?

A gambling helpline is a free, confidential service that offers support, advice, and referrals to people affected by problem gambling or gambling harm. It is available 24/7 by phone, text, or live chat.

Responsible play Responsible gambling Explains the basic concept of gambling as an activity. Responsible play Addiction and gambling Covers how gambling can become addictive and the signs of addiction. Responsible play Gambling withdrawal Describes the symptoms and experience of withdrawing from gambling. Responsible play Gambling harm Defines the negative impacts gambling can have on individuals and communities. Responsible play Gambling addiction signs Lists common warning signs that someone may have a gambling problem. Responsible play Self-exclusion gambling Explains voluntary self-exclusion programmes that block access to gambling venues.

Sources

  1. About the National Problem Gambling Helpline™ ncpgambling.org Provides the definition, US helpline numbers, and 24/7/365 availability.
  2. National Council on Problem Gambling Adopts 1-800-MY ... ncpgambling.org Confirms the 1-800-MY-RESET number and US network coverage.
  3. Organisations that can help gamblingcommission.gov.uk Supports the UK helpline number, 24-hour availability, and service description.
  4. GamCare - Founder of the National Gambling Helpline gamcare.org.uk Provides the UK helpline number and confirms GamCare as the founder.
  5. Talk to us now - GamCare gamcare.org.uk Describes the channels (phone, live chat) and confidentiality of the UK helpline.

Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.

Written and maintained by Ellis Warrender, writer and maintainer.

Last updated 28 July 2026. Spotted an error? Tell me and it gets fixed and logged on the corrections page.