Gambling help in British Columbia

Gambling Support BC is a provincial government program. 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.

Since June 26, 2023, every person entering a B.C. casino must show government-issued photo ID. Security scans it and checks it against the list of people restricted from entering, such as those enrolled in Game Break. For people who are let in, the system does not save personal information.

Game Break is BC's self-exclusion program, free and voluntary. A person chooses a term of 6 months, 1 year, 2 years or 3 years. 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.