Provincial and National Services
ConnexOntario
1-866-531-2600
www.connexontario.ca
ConnexOntario provides:
- Information about counselling services and supports in your community
- Strategies and support to help you achieve your recovery goals
- Information about services available for mental health, drug, alcohol and problem gambling treatment available to you.
- Translation is available in over 170 different languages.
- Multilingual Problem Gambling Service https://www.connexontario.ca/other-languages or 1 866-531-2600
Credit Counselling Society
1 888 527-8999
https://nomoredebts.org/contact-us
A non-profit organization that aims to enhance the personal financial well-being of Canadians through financial education, free credit counselling and low-cost debt solutions. This service will help you resolve your financial situation.
Community Information Centres (CIC)
Dial 0 for the operator or dial 211.
https://211ontario.ca/
CICs are not-for-profit groups that gather information on local, government, community and social services. These include crisis services, shelters and counselling. You can also reach CICs through Texting 211 (Monday to Friday 7am – 9pm ET), Live chat through their website (Monday to Friday 7am – 9pm ET), or emailing gethelp@211ontario.ca. The helpline offers services 150+ languages.
Kids Help Phone
1 800 668-6868
https://kidshelpphone.ca/
A free, 24-hour telephone support and information line for children and youth. There is also a chat function if you prefer to text online with a counsellor (7pm to 12am ET) instead of using the phone. Services are available in English and French.
Responsible Gambling Council (RGC)
http://www.responsiblegambling.org/
The RGC helps individuals and communities address gambling in a healthy and responsible way, with an emphasis on preventing gambling-related problems. The website has resources to help you find a gambling counsellor in your area as well.
Distress Centres of Greater Toronto (DCGT)
https://www.dcogt.com/
408-HELP
DCGT is an agency that provides quick emotional support, crisis intervention and suicide prevention to people experiencing distress. They also provide services in different languages.
Gamblers Anonymous (GA)
1-855-222-5542
www.gamblersanonymous.org
GA is available in many communities. Based on Alcoholics Anonymous, GA uses a 12-step self-help approach to recovery.
Gam-Anon
416 366-7613 Toronto area
289 993-1508 Hamilton area
https://www.gam-anon.org/
Gam-Anon is peer support for family members and friends of people with gambling problems.
Legal Resources
Lawyer Society of Ontario
General Referral: 1 800 668 7380
https://lsrs.lso.ca/lsrs/welcome
LSO will give you the names of lawyers (including those who accept legal aid) in your area who will provide a free half-hour consultation.
Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO)
416 408-4420
https://www.cleo.on.ca/en
CLEO is a community legal clinic that specializes in public legal education. Most of its publications are written for people with low incomes, and other disadvantaged groups, including immigrants and refugees, seniors, women and injured workers. The main topics include social assistance, landlord and tenant law, refugee and immigration law, workers’ compensation, women’s issues, family law, employment insurance and human rights.
Legal Aid Ontario
1 800 668-8258
https://www.legalaid.on.ca/
Legal Aid can help you pay for legal help if you have a low income. If you qualify, you can get financial help for a variety of legal problems, including criminal matters, family law, and immigration and refugee law. You may also be able to get help with some civil cases and final appeals.
Gambling Help Websites and Apps
- CAMH Mental Health 101 Course on Problem Gambling: This course offered through CAMH provides an overview of problem gambling, its causes effects, and types. It also outlines various treatments.
- Gordon Moody: An Internet self-help group based internationally. They provide online peer support groups for people affected by gambling and for their loved ones.
- GamBlock: GamBlock blocks access to Internet gambling sites. It helps people with gambling problems avoid the dangers of online gambling.
- BetBlocker: BetBlocker is an app that you can use to block online gambling websites on your phone and computer for free.
- Gamban: Gamban is an app that you can use to block online gambling websites on your phone and computer. It has a monthly/ annual subscription.
- myPlayBreak: This is a voluntary tool offered through OLG which allows you to exclude yourself from any OLG gambling venue online or onsite and promotions for a set period of time determined by you.
- Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC): The MDSC provides information regarding organizations that help support people who have mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.