After losing the right to use 1-800-GAMBLER, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is leaning on what it hopes will be another memorable number to use as its latest trademarked national problem gambling helpline.
The NCPG announced on Thursday that the new 1-800-MY-RESET service is now live and operational 24/7 to receive calls across the country. The national nonprofit organization said that the adoption of the new number strengthens the national visibility of the NCPG-run helpline and also supports its ongoing network modernization efforts.
“Problem gambling support should never be limited to a single moment or a single definition of harm,” said NCPG Board President Derek Longmeier. “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.”
Another national problem gambling number
While the NCPG applies its National Problem Gambling Helpline trademark to 1-800-MY-RESET, the number is one of several that people in need can call across the U.S.
Since a New Jersey court told the NCPG to cease using 1-800-GAMBLER following the expiration of that deal, the 1-800-GAMBLER line is now being solely run by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ), which previously ran it solo from 1983 until 2022, when it licensed it to the NCPG in a three-year agreement. The NCPG resurrected its former number for national help, 1-800-522-4700, which it had used for decades before licensing 1-800-GAMBLER.
The NCPG said in a statement on its website in September that “1-800-GAMBLER is no longer the National Problem Gambling Helpline number” and that its operated hotline should be considered the national problem gambling resource. It also said it would only use 1-800-522-4700 until a permanent solution could be found.
Speaking in a Massachusetts Gaming Commission meeting this month, gaming operators told the regulators that having multiple numbers confused the issue and risked obstructing people’s attempts to get help, and some noted that the NCPG’s 1-800-522-4700 did not have the memorable impact of 1-800-GAMBLER.
“Making the number easier to remember helps ensure people across the country can quickly connect with high-quality, confidential support when they need it,” said new NCPG Executive Director Heather Maurer in Thursday’s announcement. People can also access gambling support through the 800GAM text service or by visiting www.1800myreset.org.
Expect an adaptation period
During the time it was licensing 1-800-GAMBLER, the NCPG worked with numerous stakeholders including gaming operators to disseminate messaging with that number and mark. In some states, use of the 1-800-GAMBLER number in gambling advertising is mandatory through regulations, so operators continue to display that phone number in the fine print of their marketing materials.
Meanwhile, in the wake of the 1-800-GAMBLER oversight handover, several state gaming regulators told SBC Americas that residents looking for gambling support should contact state-specific resources rather than turning to national numbers. Some states, such as Massachusetts, have the mandatory promotion of state resources written into legislation or regulations.
Now, the NCPG will retain 1-800-522-4700 as an active national resource in an effort to ensure uninterrupted access to support, but will focus on promoting 1-800-MY-RESET as the national problem gambling helpline and will encourage its partners, which also include governments, public health entities and the NFL, to adopt and promote 1-800-MY-RESET under that label.
The council noted that adoption timelines will vary based on local policies and regulations, but reiterated that the goal is a consistent, recognizable pathway to help nationwide. The NCPG will roll out additional education and awareness efforts for 1-800-MY-RESET throughout 2026 and 2027.
