“This is problem gambler self-help line,” the operator said. That’s what you’ll hear when you call 1-800-GAMBLER, the national crisis helpline for gambling addiction. Your call is answered by a real human, not a chat bot, every time you call. Sometimes, in a time of crisis, all people need is someone to listen. And 1-800-GAMBLER provides that 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
But what if that human touch suddenly wasn’t available? The hotline is unique because it’s personal, but the well-known crisis helpline is now in crisis itself due to a legal dispute.
As the number of people who gamble rises, so does the number with gambling addictions.
