Resources

Help is available right now

Whether or not you ever work with us — these helplines, tools, and communities are free, confidential, and proven. Use them.

If you're in crisis right now: Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (24/7) For emotional distress or thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). In an emergency, call 911.

Helplines

Problem gambling helplines

Free, confidential, and staffed around the clock. They serve loved ones as well as gamblers.

National Problem Gambling Helpline Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER One number for the whole country — automatically routes you to trained counselors in your state. Chat available at ncpgambling.org.

New York — NYS HOPEline 1-877-8-HOPENY (846-7369) Call 24/7, or text HOPENY (467369). Masters-level clinicians help you find treatment and support near you — more at nyproblemgambling.org.

New Jersey — Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ 1-800-GAMBLER The original 800-GAMBLER line. Text and chat support available at 800gambler.org.

Ohio — Problem Gambling Helpline 1-800-589-9966 Ohio's statewide helpline. You can also text 4HOPE to 741741. More at beforeyoubet.org.

Florida — Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling 1-888-ADMIT-IT 24/7 multilingual support by phone, text, email, and live chat at gamblinghelp.org.

Practical Barriers

Self-exclusion & blocking tools

Willpower is easier when the door is locked. These tools put real distance between you and the bet.

State self-exclusion programs

Voluntarily ban yourself from casinos and licensed online betting platforms:

New York — Voluntary Self-Exclusion from all NYS gaming (casinos, sports betting, racetracks) via the NYS Gaming Commission
New Jersey — Self-exclusion via the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement (covers casinos and online gaming)
Ohio — Voluntary Exclusion Program via the Ohio Casino Control Commission
Florida — Exclusion options vary by facility; call 1-888-ADMIT-IT for guidance

Blocking software

Apps that block gambling sites and apps across your devices:

Gamban — blocks gambling apps and sites on all devices
BetBlocker — free blocking tool
GamBlock — long-running blocking software

Many banks also offer gambling transaction blocks on debit and credit cards — ask yours.

Financial safeguards

Structural changes that reduce risk while you recover:

Limit access to cash and credit
Add a trusted person to oversee accounts
Set up direct deposit with spending controls
Freeze your credit to prevent new borrowing

The programs we connect people with cover all of this in depth — see the 12-week model.

Community

Support groups & organizations

Gamblers Anonymous gamblersanonymous.org Free 12-step fellowship with in-person and virtual meetings nationwide. A powerful complement to structured treatment.

Gam-Anon gam-anon.org For spouses, family, and close friends of problem gamblers — because loved ones need their own recovery too.

National Council on Problem Gambling ncpgambling.org Advocacy, education, screening tools, and a national directory of certified counselors and treatment programs.

SMART Recovery smartrecovery.org Science-based, non-12-step mutual support meetings for all addictive behaviors, including gambling.

Ready to talk about treatment options?

We will help you find a virtual program that fits, in NY, NJ, OH, or FL. Free and confidential.

Call (631) 887-3234 Request a Free Consultation

A Quick Self-Check

Two questions worth answering honestly

Clinicians use a brief screen called the Lie/Bet questionnaire as a first signal that gambling may be a problem:

Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more money?
Have you ever had to lie to people important to you about how much you gambled?

Answering yes to either question doesn't diagnose anything — but it's a strong signal that a conversation with a professional is worth having.

Ready When You Are

That conversation can start today

Free, confidential, and pressure-free. We'll help you make sense of where you are — and what your options look like.

Get Started → Call (631) 887-3234

This list is provided for information and convenience. Better Bet is not affiliated with these organizations and inclusion is not an endorsement. Details and availability may change — verify with each organization directly.