Finding Gambling Support in Ontario with ConnexOntario

In Ontario, call 1-866-531-2600, text CONNEX to 247247, or use the chat link on ConnexOntario's contact page. Its information and referral service is free and available 24/7; standard text and data charges may apply. This guide helps you find a next support service, not close an account or register for self-exclusion.

Use the right route for urgent help

In Canada, call 9-1-1 for immediate danger or urgent medical help. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, use the Canadian suicide-crisis call and text options, available 24/7. These are the Government of Canada's crisis routes. Do not wait for a gambling-service referral in an emergency. Outside Canada, use the international urgent-help directory.

Choose how to make contact

Use the phone number, text keyword or current web-chat control on the official contact page. That page also offers an email route. The administration office is listed separately; use the support channels when you want help finding services. Availability does not guarantee an immediate reply, appointment or treatment place.

You can ask for yourself or because someone else's gambling is affecting you. ConnexOntario's service explanation says you do not need a referral, appointment or name to start. If you want telephone interpretation, tell the agent which language you need.

An original opening prompt you could adapt is: “I'm in Ontario and worried about gambling. Can you help me find support near me?” For your own support as a family member or friend: “Someone else's gambling is affecting me. What help is available for me?” These are optional examples, not testimonials or questions you must answer on this website.

Understand what ConnexOntario can do

ConnexOntario provides information, brief supportive listening and service navigation; it does not itself provide counselling, psychotherapy or clinical treatment. Its services page explains that an agent may make a referral or give you another service's contact details and explain the next step.

You might ask: “Am I being referred, or do I need to contact that service myself?” Before ending, check the name of the service and what you need to do next. A useful conversation can be a first step without committing you to every option discussed.

Check the next program's requirements

ConnexOntario's gambling-support information says you do not need OHIP or a health card to use ConnexOntario itself. Requirements for a treatment program can differ, including health-card or referral requirements. Do not assume that every suggested service is free, immediately available or open to everyone.

Questions you could ask include:

“Does this program support my age group and community?”
“Is there a cost, health-card requirement or referral I need?”
“Is support offered in person, online or by phone?”
“If there is a wait, what other support can I contact meanwhile?”

Ask about the specific program rather than sending health-card images or account documents in a first message. Guarding Gamblers does not book a referral or collect those details here.

Ask about recording and confidentiality

Not having to give your name does not mean no records exist. ConnexOntario's privacy policy says calls are recorded for quality and training. It may collect limited information about the contact and can share information for safety or legal reasons, including child-safety obligations. In a risk-of-harm situation, it may seek information to contact emergency services. Confidentiality is not absolute.

The policy does not promise a fixed deletion deadline: information is kept as needed for services and operations. Ask what applies to your channel: “What will you record, who could receive it, and what can I choose not to share?” We cannot promise an unrecorded call, untraceable message or deletion of service records.

Keep support and account protection separate

Contacting ConnexOntario does not itself close a gambling account or enroll you in a self-exclusion program. For the separate centralized restriction, read the Ontario BetGuard guide. For an operator-specific action, find the relevant platform guide and check that it applies to your Ontario product.

You can also use our adult family-conversation guide to prepare for a conversation with someone you care about. Seeking support for yourself does not require taking control of their account.

Sources and contact routes checked October 6, 2026. This article concerns Ontario service navigation, not a diagnosis or a guarantee of treatment.