Free gambling help across BC

Run by the provincial government, Gambling Support BC gives free help to any resident of BC who has problems because of gambling. Its line, 1-888-795-6111, is open 24/7. That includes someone whose difficulty is a loved one's gambling.

A call reaches a navigator who can help right away. From there, the navigator can look up local services or put the caller in touch with a free counsellor. Counselling is free for BC residents. Since April 1, 2026, the line and counselling have run as one provincewide service.

The line is multilingual. Anyone who would rather not call can request help online at gamblingsupportline.ca, at any time.

Game Break is BC's free, voluntary self-exclusion program. The person picks a term lasting 6 months or a set number of years: 1, 2 or 3. Once chosen, the term cannot be changed.

An agreement extends to entry into BC gaming facilities, to play there, and to play on PlayNow.com. Other online sites fall outside it. Since June 2023, everyone entering a BC gambling facility must show government-issued photo ID, and IDs are checked against the self-exclusion list.

Enrolment in Game Break is done in person at a gaming facility, with a gaming worker who is registered. Alternatively, a BCLC employee can complete the enrolment through electronic means.