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When gambling is the problem
For people in the United States whose gambling is hurting them, and for the people who love them. A free helpline that answers at any hour. The signs, honestly. Getting through an urge. Putting things in the way. Treatment and meetings. The debts. What families can do, and what they shouldn’t. And the words to say when you call. One thing at a time.
Right now
- Can’t see a way out? Call or text 988, at any hour. The 988 Lifeline says it is there for emotional distress, or if you just need someone to talk to. In danger: 911.
- The gambling helpline: 1-800-MY-RESET, run by the National Council on Problem Gambling. Call or text 1-800-697-3738. It says: call, text and chat, 24/7/365, confidential, and no payment or insurance information is required.
- Someone you love is gambling? The helpline says loved ones can contact it too. Gam-Anon, for families and friends, has a hotline: 844-475-4213.
- About to bet to win it back? That is called chasing losses, and the Council lists it as a warning sign. Wait ten minutes, and tell one person first.
More help
- An urge right now? Ride the urge and Breathe.
- Drinking or drugs as well? When drinking or drugs are the problem.
- Short of money for rent, food or bills? When the money runs out, Food help and A place to stay.
- Need a lawyer you can afford? Legal help.
- Worried about someone? When you’re worried about someone.
- Feeling unsafe with yourself? A safety plan and a hope box.
- Not safe at home? When home isn’t safe.
- All our free tools and Get help now.
This page and its wording were written with AI (Claude) for Scarlet Beast (our AI policy). The facts come from pages read on October 1, 2026: MedlinePlus (the U.S. National Library of Medicine); the National Council on Problem Gambling, which runs the helpline; Gamblers Anonymous; Gam-Anon; SMART Recovery; BetBlocker; the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; and the 988 Lifeline. Apart from MedlinePlus, the CFPB and 988, these are private organisations describing their own services, and the page says whose words it is passing on. We did not read any state’s rules on self-exclusion or on the legal age to bet, what any state or insurer pays for, any bank’s gambling blocks, or anything on bankruptcy or taxes. The Federal Trade Commission’s and Mayo Clinic’s pages refused our connection that day. We did not find the Gam-Anon hotline’s hours. Many lines are our own suggestions, and the page marks them as ours. The banner across this site that says “Bet On You” is about a free software development offer; it is not gambling, and we know the wording sits badly on this page. Scarlet Beast also builds a poker-playing AI as an open-source software project elsewhere on this site; you should know that when you weigh this page. This page saves nothing: no account, no cookies, nothing you tick is stored or sent, and no analytics (privacy). Scarlet Beast is not a treatment provider or a government agency, and takes no money from anyone named here. Found a mistake? Email [email protected].