Asking for help can be difficult.
That is especially true with gambling, addiction and mental health issues.
But with March marking Problem Gambling Awareness Month, provincial lotteries are trying to make it easy as possible.
Having access to helplines and informative resources are all an essential part in promoting responsible gambling across Canada.
PlayCanada has checked in with each provincial lottery to see how they are doing their part to achieve that.
Provincial helplines for problem gambling across Canada
- 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 Problem Gambling Help Line: 1-888-347-8888
- 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 Help Line: 1-800-306-6789
- Yukon Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services: 1-866-456-3838
ConnexOntario offering 24/7 confidential option in multiple platforms
At ConnexOntario problem gamblers can expect a 24/7/365 confidential provincial helpline available in multiple platforms including:
ConnexOntario is not a counselling service, but it does connect Ontarians to appropriate treatment options in their nearby community.
In 2021 the service received 1,800 problem gambling contacts, a spokesperson told PlayCanada.
That number was slightly lower in 2020.
National helpline could help problem gamblers in the future
Many eyes in the gambling world will be on Ontario in the coming months. The province is launching its online gaming market on April 4.
Industry experts believe that could rapidly pull in hundreds of millions of dollars.
However, more gambling means more gambling issues.
Given that, one possibility to help streamline would be for the provincial lotteries to forge together for a national helpline.
The helpline could act as a universal connector complete with an extensive database of treatment service options throughout Canada.
This way, all provincial lotteries could promote the digits, engraining it into Canadian society at large.
Atlantic Lottery Corporation: Gambling treatment cases are low
The Atlantic Lottery Corporation covers multiple provinces including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Each individual province will have its corresponding 24/7 provincial helpline.
So based on where you are calling from, ALC will help direct problem gamblers to an appropriately trained professional in your area.
“Our customer care employees can connect players to a trained professional through the Chimo Helpline who can offer support and answers questions about their gambling activities,” said an ALC spokesperson, via email.
Each province has trained professionals. Numbers have remained low for the helpline with 12 cases April 1, 2019 through the next three years. Below are the numbers for fiscal years, dating from April 1 through March 31:
- 2021–2022: Three cases
- 2020–2021: Six cases
- 2019–2020: Three cases
WCLC: Player Care Team ready to redirect to provincial organizations
In the same regard, the Western Canada Lottery Corporation covers multiple provinces. Those include:
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Yukon Territory
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
So when calling into the WCLC Player Care Team, a specialist will redirect a problem gambler to the appropriate provincial organization.
The number to call in is 1-800-665-3313 (Menu option 4).
Conveniently, the WCLC recently beefed up its staff in response to the expanded hours for gaming in its region.
The Player Care line’s hours are:
- Monday to Friday: 7:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. MT/ 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. CT
- Saturday and Sunday: 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. MT/1:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. CT
AGLC: Self Exclusion Program attempts to keep problem gamblers accountable
In Alberta, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis redirects calls to the Alberta Health Services Addiction and Mental Health helpline. This is a 24/7 helpline, at 1-866-332-2322, that is operated by Alberta Health Services.
One option for Albertans struggling with gambling will be a unique Self Exclusion Program. Essentially, the program consists of a signed agreement that prohibits a troubled gambler from receiving a prize.
The exclusion is legally binding in all Alberta casinos and racing entertainment centres for a specified time period.
The toll-free number for that program – available 24/7 – is 1-844-468-8034.
Responsible Gaming Council (RGC) resources
The 13 provincial and territorial helplines are all endorsed by the Responsible Gaming Council.
RGC is an independent, non-profit organization that aids in the prevention of problem gambling in Canada. They have been in operation for over 35 years now.
Here are a couple of other online help resources the RGC endorses:
- Gambling Therapy: GamblingTherapy.org
- GamTalk: GamTalk.org
