Gambling help in British Columbia

Gambling Support BC is run as a program of the provincial government. Its line, 1-888-795-6111, answers 24/7, and the help costs nothing. Any BC resident having difficulties because of gambling can call, including difficulties that come from a loved one's gambling.

Each call goes to a navigator. The navigator can help right away, find services nearby, or connect the caller to a free counsellor. That counselling is short-term treatment by qualified professionals, and BC residents pay nothing for it.

The line is multilingual. For anyone who prefers writing to calling, help can also be requested online at gamblingsupportline.ca, at any time.

Every casino in British Columbia has a GameSense Advisor available for people experiencing harm from gambling. That includes all nine casinos in this guide.

No one may enter a B.C. casino without government-issued photo ID, a rule in force from June 26, 2023. Security scans each ID and compares it with the restricted-entry list, on which Game Break enrollees appear. Once a person is admitted, the system saves none of their personal information.

Game Break is BC's self-exclusion program, free and voluntary. The person picks the length: 3 years, 2 years, 1 year or 6 months. Once chosen, the term cannot be changed. Enrolment happens in person with a registered gaming worker at a gaming facility, or by electronic means with a BCLC employee.

The agreement covers entering and playing at BC gaming facilities, and playing on PlayNow.com. It does not cover private online casinos. Those sites sit outside the program, so a Game Break term places no limit on them.