1-800-MY-RESET Becomes the National Problem Gambling Helpline

As of February 5, 2026, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has introduced a new, around-the-clock helpline, 1-800-MY-RESET, replacing the previous 1-800-GAMBLER. This change came after a legal dispute led the organisation to stop using the old number following a ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court.

For millions of Americans, exposure to gambling ads during NFL games, March Madness broadcasts, and prime-time streaming had become second nature, as this 1-800-GAMBLER guide states. Now, regulators, operators, and public health officials are scrambling to switch gears — without losing people who may need help.

What Triggered the Change?

Since 1983, the Council on Compulsive Gambling New Jersey (CCGNJ) has owned the trademark of 1-800-GAMBLER. CCGNJ authorised NCPG to use the telephone number for three years starting at the end of 2022. The license expired on May 31, 2035. The court filings suggest that NCPG attempted to negotiate an extension of the licensing agreement with CCGNJ. Both parties couldn’t come to an agreement, resulting in being involved in litigation that culminated in a situation where NCPG could no longer operate 1-800-GAMBLER as a result of that ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court; therefore, finding themselves in a precarious legal position with that decision made by the NJ Supreme Court.

The ruling left the national organisation in a tight spot. The NCPG reverted to its older national hotline, 1-800-522-4700, while it worked behind the scenes to settle on a permanent replacement. After months of internal review and branding discussions, the organisation landed on 1-800-MY-RESET.

Why 1-800-MY-RESET?

NCPG leadership says the new name is deliberate. In its announcement, the organisation described the number as:

• Neutral
• Non-stigmatizing
• User-defined

The idea is to shift the tone away from labelling someone as “a gambler” toward taking a pause or course-correcting. “Reset” suggests action without shame. NCPG Board President Derek Longmeier said the helpline should be available “at any stage” — whether someone feels they are in crisis, is concerned about a loved one, or simply wants information. That broader framing reflects the scale of the issue nationwide.

The Scope of Problem Gambling in the U.S.

Gambling expansion has been rapid and widespread. Since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal sports betting ban in 2018:

• 38 states plus Washington, D.C. have legalised sports betting
• Americans have wagered more than $300 billion legally on sports
• Commercial gaming revenue hit a record $66.5 billion in 2023
• Online casino revenue exceeded $6 billion in a single year

With growth has come increased concern. According to national estimates:

• About 2.5 million U.S. adults meet the criteria for severe gambling disorder annually
• An additional 5 to 8 million adults experience mild or moderate gambling problems
• Up to 20 million Americans are indirectly affected when family impact is included

Helpline usage has climbed in multiple states. Some large jurisdictions have reported:

• Call volume increases of 100% to 300% over five years
• Text and chat interactions account for 40% or more of contacts
• A growing percentage of callers under age 35

These numbers matter. When people see a number repeatedly — during a playoff game or in a mobile betting app — they’re more likely to remember it in a moment of stress. Now that familiar number is gone at the national level.

Regulatory Headaches Across the Country

Switching a hotline number sounds simple. It isn’t. Many state gambling laws explicitly require operators to display “1-800-GAMBLER” in marketing materials. That language appears in statutes, regulatory codes, and advertising guidelines adopted between 2018 and 2024. For example:

• Responsible gambling disclosures are mandatory in nearly every legal betting state
• Operators must include hotline information in digital ads, TV commercials, and app footers
• Certain states require the hotline to be “clearly and conspicuously displayed

In New Jersey, responsible gaming rules are overseen by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, and the hotline requirement has long been baked into compliance frameworks. Updating that language will require:

• Regulatory amendments
• Legislative revisions in some states
• Internal compliance updates by operators

That process tends to move at a measured pace. In the meantime, consumers may encounter mixed messaging — one number in a TV ad, another on a website, possibly both listed during a transition period.

The Awareness Problem

Here’s the irony: the NCPG spent the last three years building up brand recognition for 1-800-GAMBLER nationwide. That number appeared everywhere:

• National sportsbook commercials
• Arena signage
• Streaming ads
• Social media campaigns
• Affiliate websites.

Major operators such as FanDuel and JackpotCity prominently displayed it in their responsible gaming sections. Now the organisation must pivot and build awareness from scratch. Public health experts warn that even small amounts of confusion can discourage people from calling. If someone dials a number and is redirected or placed on hold, or is unsure where they’ve landed, they may hang up. Help-seeking often happens in a narrow emotional window. Barriers — even minor ones — can derail that moment.

What Happens Next?

The NCPG has laid out a multi-step rollout plan for 2026 and beyond.

Immediate Steps

• Update search engine results and digital listings
• Launch national awareness campaigns
• Coordinate with telecom providers on call routing

Mid-Term Goals

• Work with regulators to amend mandatory hotline language
• Partner with operators for dual-number transitions
• Educate affiliates and media outlets

Long-Term Objective

Make 1-800-MY-RESET as recognisable as its predecessor.

That will not happen overnight.

Advertising saturation for gambling remains high, as Vladyslav Lazurchenko from Jackpot Sounds announces. During the 2025 NFL season alone, sportsbook ads aired thousands of times across national broadcasts. Each spot historically reinforced 1-800-GAMBLER. Replacing that mental imprint will require repetition.

Why This Shift Is Bigger Than Branding

This isn’t just a marketing tweak. The helpline serves as a central intake point for:

• Crisis counseling
• Referrals to local treatment providers
• Information about self-exclusion programs
• Financial counselling resources
• Family support services

The services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Gaming revenue has consistently exceeded $60B per year, and with continued growth through sports wagering applications, it is critical to have systems built around supporting and maintaining service quality across all aspects of the organisation. Disruption, even on a minor scale, can create a ripple effect that travels well past the point of interruption. The shift from 1-800-GAMBLER to 1-800-MY-RESET marks a brief yet significant chapter in the history of responsible gambling efforts across the country. This highlights just how fragmented and diverse the U.S. regulatory landscape is today.

With different states using various trademarks and licensing agreements, it’s challenging to communicate a unified national message.
The most important takeaway from this now is simply that the new nationwide number is 1-800-MY-RESET. How quickly regulators, operators, and advocates adopt this message will influence its long-term success, as they demonstrate whether it becomes part of the public’s general awareness, as 1-800-GAMBLER did.