1-800-GAMBLER: Nationwide Helpline For Gambling Addiction

The 1-800-GAMBLER helpline is a resource for people dealing with gambling addiction.

The 24/7/365 service is widely known and crucial for addressing rising online gambling addiction in the U.S., though it has been funded in part by the industry that causes harm. 

From 2000 to 2023, the helpline received over five million contacts. In 2025, it saw about 20,000 calls per month, with volume spiking during Problem Gambling Awareness Month.

The helpline is often used in times of crisis. Gambling addiction and suicide often co-occur.

Who Runs the Gambling Helpline?

The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) owns the trademark rights to the number. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), a D.C.-based nonprofit, operated the number for the past several years.

NCPG paid $150,000 per year to operate the helpline under a 2022 licensing agreement.

In September 2025, the CCGNJ announced it regained control of the helpline. However, according to Barron’s reporting, the NCPG will appeal a court’s decision.

It’s unclear how the change of hands will impact the helpline’s tools.

The legal limbo around the helpline came as New Jersey looked to standardize its online gambling rules.

Is 1-800-GAMBLER Available in My State?

Yes, 1-800-GAMBLER is available nationwide. 

When you call, what is known as a single access point automatically routes you to trained counselors in your state or region. 

Regardless of where you call from, you are connected to local treatment, support groups, and financial harm resources.

You can also reach the service via text and live chat if you prefer not to talk by phone. 

It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7 for people experiencing gambling problems. Family or friends of someone who is experiencing problem gambling can also use the helpline.

Studies have shown that about 8-10 people in the orbit of a gambling addict also suffer harm.

If your state maintains its own helpline number, 1-800-GAMBLER still connects you there.

Court Gives 800-GAMBLER to NJ Group

A state court on Sept. 22, 2025, issued a ruling in a legal dispute between CCGNJ and NCPG.

The court ruled in favor of CCGNJ.

“The ruling affirms our right to maintain control over the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline, which has been a trusted resource for seeking help,” Luis Del Orbe, Executive Director of CCGNJ, said in an announcement.

“We remain committed to providing a safe, accessible, and confidential helpline for individuals and families impacted by problem gambling. We thank the court for recognizing the importance of protecting our brand and the integrity of this vital service.”

Background on Legal Fight

A contract dispute between two problem gambling advocacy groups created confusion about the future of the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline.

NCPG sought to renew the deal in early 2025, and CCGNJ offered an extension that NCPG declined, said Del Orbe.

Del Orbe made the comments to SBC Americas and later confirmed them to Gambling Harm.

“CCGNJ offered NCPG a one-year license agreement with certain conditions that NCPG must adhere to, and due to the conditions, NCPG declined our offer,” Del Orbe told Gambling Harm.

Both CCGNJ and NCPG receive funding from the gambling industry, a common feature of problem gambling advocacy in the U.S.

800-GAMBLER Without NCPG

NCPG sued in July in a New Jersey court over the contract dispute. In August, NCPG filed for arbitration, which CCGNJ fought against.

CCGNJ appeared committed to independently operating the helpline or eventually finding a different partner.

“The New Jersey council has no problem operating and managing the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline without NCPG’s involvement,” Del Orbe told Gambling Harm. “The helpline has been operating nationwide since 1983.”

New Jersey legalized gambling in 1977, and CCGNJ was formed just a few years later.

“As long as we are provided a terminating number(s) by each state, calls shall be routed to that number no matter where the call originated,” Del Orbe continued. “No state will be without coverage when it comes to the 1-800-GAMBLER number.”

A year into the NCPG partnership, the two groups appeared on good terms. In a 2023 annual report, CCGNJ said it was “honored” to be working with NCPG.

‘Scare Tactics’

In August, two gambling industry groups said they feared the 800-GAMBLER would become inoperable, at least temporarily.

The American Gaming Association (AGA) and the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) issued a joint statement to SBC Americas warning that there could be a “disruption” or “degradation of the helpline’s capacity.”

“Further, a lapse in service risks causing widespread consumer confusion, undermining years of education and awareness efforts by operators, regulators, and advocates alike,” the groups said.

NCPG also said in court that it was concerned the helpline could go offline.

However, according to Del Orbe, these comments were “scare tactics.”

“The 1-800-GAMBLER helpline shall continue to operate without interruption; it will not go offline temporarily,” Del Orbe told Gambling Harm. “Why or how this rumor was started, I do not know. It is a false rumor and serves no one by utilizing such scare tactics.”

With today’s helpline routing technology, there is no need to go ‘offline’ temporarily or cause any sort of interruption. CCGNJ shall permit all states to utilize the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline, but we do have guidelines and standards for its utilization.”

Rules for 800-GAMBLER Helpline

Del Orbe provided Gambling Harm with the guidelines for operating the 800-GAMBLER line.

“These standards are designed to protect the integrity and purpose of the helpline, ensuring it remains a safe, accessible, and resourceful tool aligned with CCGNJ’s mission for those affected by problem gambling,” he said. “These guidelines and standards are followed by CCGNJ and shall be followed by any entity or call center where the helpline is answered.”

Del Orbe told Gambling Harm that CCGNJ had issues with how NCPG operated the helpline.

“NCPG, we learned, had disconnected several state affiliates and call centers from being able to respond to calls from the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline,” he said. “Callers from those states are being rerouted to the safety net in Louisiana. That is one of the areas of disagreement CCGNJ had with the way NCPG operated the helpline.”

Rerouting calls away from affiliates could reduce the role and funding justification for those state groups.

Problem Gambling Funding

Both sides involved in the 800-GAMBLER dispute care greatly about the well-being of people suffering from gambling addiction.

However, problem gambling prevention and treatment are woefully underfunded in the U.S.

Unlike countries such as New Zealand and Ireland, there is no federally dedicated funding for problem gambling. The political climate on Capitol Hill is so hostile to mental health that there was a recent proposal to divert betting taxes to fund deportations instead of curbing addiction.

The federal sports betting tax of 0.25% on all money wagered on sports currently goes into the U.S. Treasury general fund. It’s about $300 million per year.

Problem gambling funding is left to the states, but some states have no funding, and many have inadequate funding. A 2021 analysis found that just 33 cents is spent per capita on problem gambling services in the U.S.

Nearly every state tax dollar earmarked for problem gambling services comes from taxes paid by the gambling industry.

NCPG, the only national group to advocate for people with gambling addiction, reported $2.3 million in revenue in 2023, according to ProPublica.

The NFL, which promotes gambling apps, is NCPG’s largest donor.

The dispute over the 800-GAMBLER helpline could be seen as a symptom of a crisis involving a lack of federal funding and scant resources at the state level.

One solution is the GRIT Act, a proposed law to provide federal funding for problem gambling. However, it is opposed by the casino industry, which wants a repeal of the federal betting tax.