The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has launched a new nationwide helpline number in the United States ahead of Problem Gambling Awareness Month 2026. The move follows a lengthy legal dispute over the long-standing 1-800-GAMBLER line. The new number, 1-800-MY-RESET, is now live and replaces the NCPG’s previous helpline number after a court order and the expiry of a licensing agreement. Existing helpline access points will remain active as states consider whether to adopt and promote the new helpline number.
NCPG Unveils New National Gambling Helpline Number in the US: Snippets from the Story
- The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has introduced 1-800-MY-RESET as its new nationwide problem gambling helpline in the United States. The number, which is now live, was launched ahead of Problem Gambling Awareness Month 2026.
- The move follows a legal dispute with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey over the 1-800-GAMBLER number. A court order required the NCPG to stop using the number after a licensing agreement, worth $150,000 (€138,000) per year, expired.
- The new helpline is free, confidential, and available 24/7 by call, text, and chat. It offers support and referrals nationwide. Existing helpline numbers will remain active, while the decision to adopt 1-800-MY-RESET will be left to regional administrations due to regulatory requirements.
New National Problem Gambling Helpline is Now Live
In a press release published on Thursday, January 29, the NCPG confirmed that 1-800-MY-RESET has been adopted as the new National Problem Gambling Helpline™ number and is fully operational. The organisation, founded in 1972, said the number is “neutral, non-stigmatising, and user-defined, signalling that individuals can reach out for support at any point in their relationship with gambling.”
Calls to the number will connect users to the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network, which links to 24 contact centres across the United States staffed by trained professionals. Like the previous helpline, the new number is available 24/7, free, and confidential.
Services include education on problem gambling, support, and referrals to local therapists, counsellors, or support groups. Family members and loved ones can also contact the helpline for guidance and support. The launch follows a legal conflict between the NCPG and the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey over control of 1-800-GAMBLER.
New Jersey Judge Douglas Hurd ordered the NCPG to stop using the number from September 29 last year. The NCPG had operated the line under a three-year licence agreement signed in 2022, paying The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) $150,000 (€138,000) per year.
That agreement expired on May 31 and was temporarily extended until July 15. The two parties failed to agree on terms for a longer extension. As a result, the NCPG moved to establish a new national number ahead of the awareness campaign in March. Gambling in the US has gained momentum in recent years, with officials debating the pros and cons.
Last week, lawmakers in Virginia approved the establishment of a gambling authority while stalling plans to legalise online casinos. At the same time, Mississippi has also been reluctant to legalise online casino and sports betting operations. In contrast, Canada has successfully regulated the iGaming sector, resulting in Ontario generating significant revenue in 2025.
Access, Coverage and State Adoption Guidelines Revealed
Existing National Problem Gambling Helpline numbers, including 1-800-522-4700, will continue to operate. Adoption and promotion of 1-800-MY-RESET will vary by jurisdiction due to state-level regulatory rules and policies. The NCPG has encouraged states and regulators to authorise and promote the new number to ensure consistent nationwide access to support.
The organisation stated that nearly 20 million US adults reported at least one indicator of gambling-related harm in the past year, based on its research. As legal gambling continues to expand, the NCPG stated that improving the memorability of the helpline number forms part of a broader public awareness and harm reduction strategy.
Derek Longmeier, President of the NCPG Board of Directors, stated:
Problem gambling support should never be limited to a single moment or a single definition of harm. 1-800-MY-RESET reinforces that the National Problem Gambling Helpline is available at any stage—whether someone is worried about themselves, concerned about a family member, or simply looking for trusted guidance. Making the Helpline number easier to remember is a practical, meaningful step toward reducing barriers to care.
Additional education and awareness initiatives linked to 1-800-MY-RESET are expected to roll out through 2026 and 2027. NCPG Executive Director Heather L. Maurer also highlighted the importance of accessibility as gambling availability increases nationwide.
Maurer noted:
With gambling now more accessible than ever, the National Problem Gambling Helpline is a critical lifeline.