Public support page · No age gate

Help is available

If gambling is affecting your money, sleep, work, relationships or mental health, you do not need to wait for a crisis. Canadian services can provide confidential information, counselling and referrals.

Immediate danger or crisis

Call 9-1-1 for immediate danger. Call or text 9-8-8 for suicide crisis support in Canada.

9-8-8 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This page is informational and is not an emergency or counselling service.

Canada resources

Start with your province

Ontario1-866-531-2600ConnexOntario, 24/7 information and referral
British Columbia1-888-795-6111Gambling Support BC, 24/7
Alberta1-866-332-2322Alberta Addiction Helpline, 24/7
Saskatchewan1-800-306-6789Problem Gambling Help Line, 24/7
Nova Scotia1-888-347-8888Problem Gambling Help Line, 24/7
Québec1-800-461-0140Jeu : aide et référence

For other provinces and territories, the Responsible Gambling Council maintains a directory of Canadian treatment and support services. Verify operating hours and eligibility on the service’s official page.

Find local Canadian help

Warning signs

Patterns worth taking seriously

Money

Using rent, food, debt payments or borrowed money to gamble; hiding transactions; chasing losses; or repeatedly exceeding a planned limit.

Time

Gambling longer than intended, losing sleep, missing work or responsibilities, or finding it difficult to stop thinking about the next session.

Relationships

Lying about gambling, withdrawing from family or friends, conflict about money, or relying on someone else to resolve repeated financial problems.

Wellbeing

Anxiety, irritability, shame, hopelessness or gambling to escape distress. Urgent mental-health risk deserves immediate professional support.

Practical first steps

Reduce access and add another person

  1. Pause gambling and avoid trying to win back losses.
  2. Contact the help service in your province for confidential guidance.
  3. Tell a trusted person and ask for practical support.
  4. Use self-exclusion tools where available; Ontario’s province-wide online tool is BetGuard.
  5. Ask your financial institution about blocking gambling transactions and protect essential bill payments.
  6. Do not borrow to gamble or to hide gambling debt.

Self-exclusion and blocks create distance, but they work best with counselling, financial support and a plan for triggers. Family members can contact support services even if the person gambling is not ready.

Resources were reviewed August 17, 2026. Phone services can change; confirm details with the official provider. Nova Rindale is not affiliated with a gambling operator and receives no referral payment.