Where to Get Help
Online gambling is usually a source of entertainment, but at times, punters end up developing a disorder that requires intervention. Feelings of guilt, shame, and anxiety often get in the way of players looking for help.
At SiGMA Play, we believe in empowering players to control their behaviour around gambling. To lend a hand to those wanting help to quit their gambling disorders, we’ve compiled a list of help centres and organizations that operate throughout Canada.
If you’re someone who’s currently struggling to manage their relationship with online gambling, then you’ll find key information on all the resources available in Canada here.
Help Centres for Canadians with Gambling Disorders
It’s important to understand that you’re not alone in your struggle with gambling. As per recent statistics, there are more than 19.3 million punters in Canada, all of whom turn to online casinos or betting platforms. In fact, about 63% of all Canadian men and 57% of all Canadian women have reported that some of their monthly expenditure is geared towards gambling.
To add to this, it is extremely convenient for the average person to begin their journey as an online gambler, and the Canadian government does not tax individuals on their winnings from online gambling. This means more and more people are entering the world of betting and casinos, though some develop disorders and trouble controlling their level of engagement.
Hence, here are all the services that not only provide assistance for treating people with gambling disorders but also empower them to develop their own strategies to regulate their behaviour with gambling.
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Responsible Gambling Council (RGC)
The independent non-profit is the leading provider of support to afflicted punters throughout Canada. Apart from emphasizing responsible gambling guidelines throughout the country, the RGC has helplines set up across all Canadian provinces.
You can seek out a gambling counsellor in your area through their extensive directory, and it’s both anonymous and free, so you can quickly reach your path of recovery. However, if you prefer a more private way of communication, then their Gambling Therapy and GamTalk services allow you to receive advice and share your experiences with people who have faced similar problems with gambling.
For more information, visit the official EGC website: https://responsiblegambling.org/
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Gamblers Anonymous
Similar to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Gamblers Anonymous gives anyone who’s suffering from a problem a place to talk about it. There are both in-person and virtual meetings, and the GA prescribes a 12-step program for those attending, and every meeting is an opportunity to openly talk about the trials and tribulations that people face while trying to curb their gambling addictions.
For more information:
- Visit the official website: https://gamblersanonymous.org
- Access their recovery program from the “Resources” section
Keep in mind that you can enter your preferred city, and you’ll get a list of meetings available near your location.
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Gam-Anon
Functioning independently of and yet similar to Gamblers Anonymous, Gam-Anon focuses on providing assistance and insight into the behaviours of gambling addictions to the friends and families of such individuals. The organization’s official website lists the following as the general criteria for when you should seek help due to your friend or family member’s gambling habits:
- Anxiety and worry
- Financial problems
- Emotional distress and stress
- Worry for emotional/health
The organization is headquartered in New York, but functions in Canada as well, allowing you to get detailed info on meetings around you through https://www.gam-anon.org/meeting-directory/canada-meetings.
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Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
An organization supporting those afflicted with substance abuse and addiction, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use (CCSA) also has a special wing dedicatedly to those struggling to keep their gambling habits in check.
- https://www.ccsa.ca/en
Beyond emphasizing the need for recognizing gambling addiction, the CCSA is committed to researching gambling behaviour and delivers tools and resources that are supported by their studies.
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Gambling Support BC
Gambling Support BC is an organization based in British Columbia, specifically, and aims to provide each and every citizen of the region with support services and tools. Their services extend to the directly afflicted or those who are in distress due to the gambling habits of a loved one.
If you’re in need of help, you can expect to find free education and literature that can empower you to liberate yourself, support services where assistance is merely an ask away, and even treatment programs.
For more information or help:
- Call their toll-free line at 1-888-795-6111
- Reach out to https://www.gamblingsupportbc.ca/
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ConnexOntario
The key organization delivering immediate support for gambling addiction in Ontario, those suffering from adverse gambling habits can find support in many ways at ConnexOntario. Their services are available 24/7, don’t require you to cover any costs, and allow you to keep your personal information fully confidential.
For more information:
- Call ConnexOntario 24/7 at 1-866-531-2600
- Text at 247247
- Chat available on https://connexontario.ca/
CA Provinces & Territories: Gambling Addiction Helplines
Here are all the helpline numbers that you can phone in Canada to handle your addiction and receive more information. Of course, these helplines are toll-free as well.
- Alberta Problem Gambling Resources Network
1-866-461-1259 - British Columbia Problem Gambling Help Line
1-888-795-6111 - Quebec Gambling: Help and Referral
1-800-461-0140 - Manitoba Addictions Help Line – Problem Gambling
1-800-463-1554 - Newfoundland Problem Gambling Help Line
1-888-899-4357 - New Brunswick Gambling Information Line
1-800-461-1234 - Northwest Territories General Help Line
1-800-661-0844 - Nova Scotia’s Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line
1-888-429-8167 - Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line
1-800-265-3333 - Ontario ConnexOntario Help Line
1-866-531-2600 - Prince Edward Island Problem Gambling Help Line
1-855-255-4255 - Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Helpline
1-800-306-6789 - Yukon Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services
1-866-456-3838
Secondary Ways to Deal with Gambling Addiction
These resources aimed at helping Canadian gamblers will get you direct access to information, intervention, and rehabilitation programs that will help you break the habit. However, there are other ways in which you can limit your exposure to online gambling, such as:
- Block advertisements from online gambling or betting platforms.
- Unfollow pages that promote content related to gambling on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or X.
- Use tools like BetBlocker and Gamban to restrict or fully block the use of gambling platforms.
Triggers make up a big part of what we’ve learnt about human behaviour during addiction. It is the scientific consensus that willpower alone is not sufficient to deter any form of addiction, as is shown by recent studies. However, if you can successfully remove the trigger that prompts you to respond with harmful behaviour, then you’ve won half the battle.
Gambling with Responsibility
The line between responsible and irresponsible gambling is not always clear, especially if you’re someone who has held onto the habit for a long time. It’s something that tends to affect not just you, but those around you as well. A gambling problem comes with a lot of negative emotions such as shame, guilt, and anxiety, which can get worse over time and disrupt the individual to a greater degree.
If you’re someone who has been struggling silently, know that help is only a phone call away, and gambling support helplines like ConnexOntario (1-866-531-2600) and Gambling Support BC (1-888-795-6111) will help you navigate the way out of your addiction with resources and 24/7 access to communication.
FAQs
It’s when a person’s infatuation with gambling begins to have a negative impact on their daily life. In Canada, where gambling is legal and tax-free, about 2-3% of all punters are considered to be at risk for a gambling problem.
Every province and territory has a confidential helpline. For example, ConnexOntario for Ontario residents, Gambling Support BC for British Columbia, and Aide-jeu for Quebec.
Unlike some other countries, Canada instead has the Responsible Gambling Council, which is an independent non-profit that provides free resources to those suffering from gambling problems.
It’s the exact opposite of having a gambling problem. The point of gambling is, first and foremost, to have fun, as most healthy punters have a positive relationship with it where it does not impact their professional, personal, or emotional lives. Many online casinos in Canada tend to have a time limit, a deposit limit, or even automatic exclusion of players if a user’s gambling activity goes beyond a certain threshold.