Solving Problems with Gambling – International Helplines You Can Call Anytime
Like all stories, gambling has a good and a bad side. The side that you see most of the time here at BestCasinos entails a happy gaming experience with dazzling and wonderful bonuses and games – but we are well-aware of the dangers that accompany wagering on games. In simple English, gambling is addictive and may result in problem gambling. Gambling addiction is not something we look to disregard hence we prepared a detailed guide into self-help for problem gambling.
Even if you would not classify yourself as a problem gambler, having options and help to turn to is vital. We wanted to cover something every player in the casino world needs – helplines created for the players’ safety. Players, if you are wondering whom to call when you start feeling like you are in danger or don’t feel safe playing anymore, here are the numbers that you can call.
Gambling Helplines Across the Globe
Players who have encountered issues and want to seek help have two options: they can either call a helpline or, if there is no helpline in their country, use self-exclusion services. These self-exclusion services are available worldwide, as they web-based.
Let’s have a look at the national gambling helplines that you can contact in your country. However, if you don’t see your country on the list, there is probably no active helpline dedicated to gamblers. We suggest browsing the website FindaHelpline.com which offers a detailed register of helplines for all purposes in every country.
You can also always contact Gamblers Anonymous that works in most parts of the world.
Europe
- Austria – Spielsuchthilfe – (1) 544 13 57
- Belgium – Gok Hulp – The DeDruglijn toll-free helpline: 078 / 15 10 20 / Aide aux joueurs for French-speaking players: 02 / 502 08 61 / SOS SPELEN: 0800 35 777
- Czech Republic – Anonymní Gambleři Česko Prague mobile number: 736 267 206 / Brno mobile number: 775 122 273
- Croatia – HUPIS & toll-free helpline: 0800 7888
- Denmark – Spillemyndigheden & toll-free helpline: 70 22 28 25
- Finland – Peluuri & toll-free helpline: 0800 100 101
- Estonia – Hasartmängusõltuvuse Nõustamiskeskus toll-free helpline: (+372) 15410
- France – Adictel Addiction Prevention & [email protected]
- Germany – Glücksspielsucht Problem Gambling hotline: 0800 0776611
- Greece – Hellenic Gaming Commission
- Hungary – Emberbarát Alapítvány problem gambling helpline: 00 36 431 9792
- Italy – Gioca Responsabile Gambling Online Therapy number: 800 151 000
- Lithuania – Anoniminiai lošėjai Lietuva & Lithuanian Anonymous Gamblers contact: 8-609-92911
- Malta – Responsible Gaming Foundation Helpline: 1777
- Netherlands – AGOG toll-free helpline: 0800 2277722
- Norway – Hjelpelinjen Anonymous chatline: 47 / 800 800 40
- Portugal – SICAD: +351 211 119 000 / Instituto de Apoio ao Jogador linha ajuda: 968 230 998
- Romania – Joc Responsabil Helpline: 0800 800 099
- San Marino – Gioco del Titano line: 00 378 (800 788 883)
- Slovakia – Centrum pre liečbu drogových závislostí (CPLDZ Bratislava) hotline: 00421 800 800 900
- Slovenia – Center za bolezni odvisnosti: +386 (5) 33 83 200
- Spain – Fejar free helpline: 900 200 225
- Sweden – Stödlinjen contact: 00 46 20 819 100
- Switzerland – Careplay: 041 367 48 47
The UK
- Ireland – Gamblers Anonymous Ireland helpline: 01-8721133 / Extern Problem Gambling Ireland call-back service: 089 241 5401 / Dunlewey Addiction Service: 1800 936 725 / Helplink Gambling Addiction Counselling: 0818 99 88 80
- Isle of Man – Motiv8 Gambling line: 622011 / GamCare free helpline: 0808 8020 113
- Scotland – Gamblers Anonymous Scotland & Gam-Anon Scotland 24/7 helpline: 0370 050 8881 / PFA Scotland gambling awareness programme support line: 07702 565916
- BeGambleAware Freephone 24-7 National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133
- GamCare helpline: 0808 8020 133
- Gamblers Anonymous national helpline: 0330 094 0322
- Gambling Therapy
Africa
- Kenya – GamHelp Kenya toll-free hotline: 0800-000-023 / CBT Kenya help services: +254 739 935 333 / +254 756 454 585
- South Africa – South African Responsible Gambling Foundation’s toll-free Problem Gambling Counselling Line: 0800 006 008
Asia
- Asian Gambling SOS helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER
- Hong Kong – Caritas A G Counselling Centre Hotline: (852) 1834 633
- India – Hope Trust line: +91 90008 50001 / +91 40 4005 5010 (office hours only)
- Japan – Recovery Support Network free line: 050-3541-6420
- Philippines – In Touch Crisis Line: +63 2 8893 7603 / +63 917 800 1123 / +63 922 893 8944
- Singapore – National Council on Problem Gambling phone: +65 6354 8154 / Free helpline: 1800-6-668-668
Australia and New Zealand
- Australia – Gamblers Anonymous / South Australia Problem Gambling / Gambling Help Online / Gambler’s Help / Gambling Helpline: 1800 858 858
- New Zealand – Problem Gambling Foundation freephone line: 0800 664 262 / free text line: 5819
North America
Canada
- Canada Safety Council
- ProblemGambling Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Helpline: 1-866-531-2600
- Alberta Health Services helpline: 1-866-332-2322
- British Columbia Partnership for Responsible Gambling: 1-888-795-6111
- Addictions Foundation of Manitoba: 1-888-347-8888 / Manitoba Gambling Helpline 1-800-463-1554
- New Brunswick Problem Gamblers Hotline: 1-800-461-1234
- Newfoundland Labrador Health and Community Services: 1-888-899-4357
- NWT Health and Social Services: 1-800-661-0830
- Nova Scotia Problem Gambling Help Line: 1-888-347-8888
- Nunavut Health and Social Services helpline: 1-800-265-3333
- Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-888-230-3505
- Health PEI Gambling Addiction Services hotline: 1-855-255-4255
- Quebec Gambling: Help and Referral free line: 1-800-461-0140
- Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-306-6789
USA
- National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
- NAADGS
- Gamblers Anonymous
- Help Guide
- Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling
- Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling: 1-800-777-7207
- California Council on Compulsive Gambling: 1-800-GAMBLER
- Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado
- Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling
- Delaware Council on Gambling Problems helpline: 1-888-850-8888
- Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling Helpline: 1-888-ADMIT-IT (236-4848)
- Illinois Council on Problem Gambling: 217-652-9611
- Indiana Council on Problem Gambling hotline: 1-866-699-4274
- Kansas Problem Gambling
- Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling / Kentucky Gambling Help: 1-800-GAMBLER / 1-800-426-2537
- Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling Problem Gamblers Helpline: 1-877-770-7867
- Maine Council on Problem Gambling
- Maryland Council on Problem Gambling free hotline: 1-800-426-2537 / Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling
- Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health Safer Gaming Education Line: 1-800-426-1234
- Michigan Association on Problem Gambling
- Minnesota Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance MN State Helpline: 1-800-333-4673 (HOPE) or text “HOPE” 53342
- The Mississippi Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling hotline: 1-888-777-9696
- Montana Council On Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-888-900-9979
- Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-833-BETOVER (238-6837)
- Nevada Council on Problem Gambling
- Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey
- New Mexico Council on Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-572-1142
- New York Council on Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-877-846-7369
- North Carolina Council on Problem Gambling
- Problem Gambling Network of Ohio: 1-800-589-9966
- Oklahoma Association on Problem Gambling & Gaming
- Oregon Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-877-695-4648
- The Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania Helpline: 1-800-848-1880
- Rhode Island Council on Problem Gambling / Problem Gambling Services Helpline: 1-877-9GAMBLE or 401-499-2472
- Virginia Council on Problem Gambling
- Washington EverGreen Council on Problem Gambling helpline: 1-800-547-6133
- Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-426-2535
- Wyoming Council on Problem Gambling
South America
- Argentina – Jugadores Anónimos de Argentina helpline: (011) 15-4412-6745
- Brazil – Jogadores Anônimos do Brasil
- Chile – Jugadores Anónimos de Chile helpline: +569 4407 2802
- Colombia – Group Vida Nueva Hotline Number: 321-3281876
- Peru – El Registro de Personas Prohibidas a Acceder a Juegos de Casinos y Máquinas Tragamonedas / Jugadores Anónimos de Peru
Self-Exclusion and Anti-Gambling Software
Not all players feel comfortable talking either in person or over the phone with Customer Support. Vulnerable customers may feel a sense of shame or embarrassment because they’ve found themselves in such a situation, and thus are reluctant to call or ask for help from others. The shame and guilt that they feel often leads to isolation and deeply internalized negative feelings may prevent them from asking help from friends and family, let alone strangers working at helplines.
Therefore, many find self-exclusion services and anti-gambling software a better solution that does not require actual contact with others. Anti-gambling software and self-exclusion sites entail contactless exclusion from gambling activity happening online by either downloading the software or registering at self-exclusion service websites.
Here are the biggest self-exclusion services and anti-gambling software you can find on the internet to prevent yourself from visiting gambling sites.
Bet Blocker
Bet Blocker is a free anti-gambling software that offers self-exclusion and parental controls features. It’s free and easy to download to any device/platform in the house. You can also use it on your phone!
British ThePOGG.com launched the app back in 2017. Since then, Bet Blocker has become one of the most popular anti-gambling software apps that gamblers use when they encounter problems with gambling. It’s a great thing for limiting time spent gambling and preventing the customer from visiting any site by blocking all gambling-related websites on the internet.
Bet Filter
Bet Filter is a service that restricts access to gambling sites and casino ads. Kindred Group, one of the biggest iGaming companies today, is behind Bet Filter. The service was launched as part of Kindred’s campaign to promote responsible gaming in online casino circles.
Unlike Bet Blocker, Bet Filter is not free. The software comes with a price of $5.83/month, provided you take the 1-year licence offer. However, it’s available in all countries.
Freedom
Freedom gives you the freedom to block and restrict sites that have to do with casinos and sports betting. All platforms support it (Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android) and it’s quite flexible for users.
To acquire Freedom, you have three pricing plans: Monthly (which is $6.99 for one month), Annual ($2.42/month), and Forever ($129). You can also use a Free Trial version to see whether you like it.
Gamban
For only $13.99 per year, you can use Gamban to curb your gambling addiction. Gamban is a very popular self-exclusion service as it offers a host of perks: from Cloud storage syncing to online and cross-platform support, Gamban delivers an easy-to-use interface and simplistic navigation.
In terms of functionality, Gamban is there to block all gambling-related websites so you are safe from temptation. The only downside is the cost, but it’s worth the money.
Net Nanny
Net Nanny is a parental control software that’s very handy for gambling blocks. It’s one of the top-rated anti-gambling software apps on the web because it provides year-round impenetrable protection both for players. It has a family package that can extend to the entire household.
The basic package costs $39.99/year, but that only covers one device. The family packages come in two variants: the 5-device plan which costs $54.99/year and the 20-device plan which costs $89.99/year.
Gambling Statistics in 2021
Gambling activity is hitting an all-time high thanks to the pandemic. More and more players are turning towards gambling online, where they choose casual games and more frequently, VIP tables designed for deep-pocketed punters.
With the overall gambling activity growth, came a spike in problem gambling, which was expected. Gambling authorities and organisations built for the protection of players are warning of an impending catastrophe that awaits lest we succeed in curbing unlicensed and unregulated gambling.
Regulators worldwide who oversee gaming activity in their jurisdictions say rogue casinos represent a massive danger, but the casinos that do have licences can also help protect their punters. How so? Well, by implementing responsible gambling initiatives and projects that aim to protect the punters from the dangers of gambling.
Problem Gambling
What constitutes problem gambling?
How do we know that someone is a problem gambler? Here’s the short definition of problem gambling.
Problem gambling is the urge to gamble in spite of extremely negative consequences. Problem gamblers are addicted to gambling, and cannot stop even when it is hurting them and their families.
The three main symptoms of problem gambling are:
- An unstoppable urge to gamble with gradually increased wagers
- Unsuccessful attempts to quit or decrease gambling activity
- Being preoccupied with gambling and money
Most problem gamblers seek help, but overcoming a gambling addiction is a long and difficult process. That’s why it is important to check for signs regularly and find help as soon as possible.
Important Steps for Self-Help
Before you enter a casino game, make sure you go through these questions in your head:
- Why am I playing?
- Do I know how much I plan on spending?
- Is there a time limit for this gaming session?
- What are my limits?
- Can I stop if I want to?
Don’t let fun distract you! Try to find answers to these questions and if you are satisfied with them, go play. If you aren’t sure about your answers, consider asking for help from professionals or reach out to your family and friends for support.
Conclusion
The only thing that we have left to say – and the most important – is this: always play responsibly. Gambling can be amazing and very worthwhile, but also immensely harmful.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the BestCasinos team. We are here for all questions, doubts, and comments. Stay safe, play for fun, and gamble responsibly.
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