Problem Gambling and Video Gaming Services

Addictions / Substance Use

Provided by Government of British Columbia

Support and counselling services to groups and individuals with problematic gambling and video gaming.
BC Responsible & Problem Gambling Program offers education, support and counselling services to groups and individuals in the area of gambling and video gaming. The following programs and services are offered:

Voluntary Self Exclusion Program (VSE): The Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE) Program enables individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from all facilities with slot machines, commercial bingo halls, or from accessing BCLC’s online gambling site for a predetermined amount of time. To enrol for VSE through your PlayNow.com account, log in to your account and access “Self-Exclusion” from within the “My Account” section. To enroll in VSE without having to visit a gaming facility, contact BCLC Consumer Services at 1-866-815-0222.

Discovery program: Discovery is a multi-day group treatment program. Programs run between 2 and 5 days, and the curriculum is varied; programs include Discovery 101, Discovering Self, Understanding Self, Emotional Meaning of Money, Relationships, and Forgiveness & Letting Go. Discovery is offered throughout the year in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island. Interested individuals don’t need to live on Vancouver Island or in the Lower Mainland in order to attend Discovery. Out-of-town participants are expected to make their own travel arrangements but in cases of financial need, subsidies may be available to assist with these costs.

GamTalk: A free, confidential online forum. Members include gamblers, those impacted by another’s gambling, and others who just want to ask questions and learn more. Anyone can join GamTalk and posting on the forum is completely anonymous. Gambling issues are discussed between people with shared experiences.

Self-Assessment: A self-assessment questionnaire to help individuals determine if they may be experiencing problem gambling.

Gambling Counsellor: A counsellor Free and confidential counselling services are available to help individuals manage the impacts of gambling, whether related to their own gambling or that of a family member. These services are accessible to anyone living in British Columbia, regardless of age, language, location, or gambling history. Both one-on-one counselling and group sessions are offered.

Education services: are available to school groups, community organizations, service clubs, and social service organizations.

Outreach support services: Anonymous outreach support is available to help individuals reduce the harms associated with gambling. Support workers assist in exploring self-help tools, community resources, and program-specific supports to help individuals achieve their wellness goals. For those unsure of their needs, a call can be booked with a gambling outreach support worker who will listen and help identify appropriate next steps.

Gambling Support: BC provides specialized services for Indigenous individuals and communities, using a client-centred, Nation-based, and community-driven approach. These services incorporate traditional and cultural values to support wellness through strengths-based care tailored to each community's needs. The Indigenous stream offers therapeutic counselling for Indigenous individuals and currently provides two training options: Traditional Indigenous Games workshops, which promote wellness and reduce stigma related to gambling, and Tech Talks, which build community capacity around digital health, particularly for children, youth, and young adults.

All services are available free of charge and can be accessed through the Gam Info Line at 1-888-795-6111 or by visiting www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca

1-888-795-6111

Website: https://www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca/

Cost: No cost

Associated Programs/Services

Also offered by Government of British Columbia:

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Availability

Service area: Province-wide + show cities

Service area cities: 100 Mile House, Abbotsford, Agassiz, Aldergrove, Alert Bay, Alexis Creek, Anahim Lake, Anmore, Armstrong, Ashcroft, Atlin, Bamfield, Banff, Barriere, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Black Creek, Blue River, Boston Bar, Bowen Island, Brentwood Bay, Burnaby, Burns Lake, Cache Creek, Calgary, Campbell River, Canmore, Castlegar, Cathedral Grove, Cawston, Chase, Chemainus, Cherryville, Chetwynd, Chilliwack, Christina Lake, Clearwater, Clinton, Cobble Hill, Comox, Coombs, Coquitlam, Cortes Island, Courtenay, Cranbrook, Crawford Bay, Creston, Cumberland, Daajing Giids, Dawson Creek, Dease Lake, Deep Bay, Delta, Denman Island, Duncan, Edgewood, Elkford, Enderby, Fanny Bay, Fernie, Fort Langley, Fort Nelson, Fort St. James, Fort St. John, Fraser Lake, Fruitvale, Gabriola Island, Galiano Island, Gibsons, Golden, Gold River, Grand Forks, Granisle, Greenwood, Hanceville, Hazelton, Hope, Hornby Island, Horne Lake, Houston, Hudson's Hope, Invermere, Kamloops, Kaslo, Kelowna, Keremeos, Kimberley, Kitimat, Kyuquot, Ladner, Ladysmith, Lake Country, Lake Cowichan, Langford, Langley, Lantzville, Lethbridge, Lillooet, Lions Bay, Logan Lake, Long Beach, Lumby, Lytton, Mackenzie, Maple Ridge, Masset, Mayne Island, McBride, Merritt, Merville, Midway, Mill Bay, Mission, Nakusp, Nanaimo, Nanoose Bay, Nelson, New Aiyansh, New Denver, New Westminster, Nitinaht, North Delta, North Saanich, North Vancouver, Okanagan Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos, Oyama, Parksville, Peachland, Pemberton, Pender Harbour, Pender Island, Penelakut Island, Penticton, Pitt Meadows, Port Alberni, Port Alice, Port Coquitlam, Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Port Moody, Powell River, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Princeton, Quadra Island, Qualicum Beach, Quathiaski Cove, Quesnel, Revelstoke, Richmond, Riske Creek, Rock Creek, Rossland, Saanich, Saanichton, Salmo, Salmon Arm, Salt Spring Island, Sardis, Saturna Island, Sayward, Scotch Creek, Sechelt, Shawnigan Lake, Sicamous, Sidney, Skidegate, Slocan, Smithers, Sointula, Sooke, Sorrento, South Surrey, Sparwood, Spences Bridge, Squamish, Stewart, Summerland, Sun Peaks, Surrey, Tahsis, Tatla Lake, Telkwa, Terrace, Tofino, Trail, Tsawwassen, Tumbler Ridge, Ucluelet, Valemount, Vancouver, Vanderhoof, Vernon, Victoria, West Kelowna, West Vancouver, Whistler, White Rock, Williams Lake, Winlaw, Witset, and Yale

Service Types Provided
Ways to Access
  • Provided 1:1 in-person
  • Provided in a group in-person

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