B.C. partners with Telus Health on round-the-clock gambling support
From April 1, Gambling Support BC combines its 24/7 support line and clinical counselling into one free service with a single point of entry.
British Columbia is changing how it delivers help for problem gambling, with a new provincewide service model for Gambling Support BC that starts April 1, 2026.
Through a partnership with Telus Health, the province will combine the existing 24/7 Gambling Support Line and clinical counselling services into one coordinated system. People will be able to get information, support and referrals through a single point of entry.
Under the new approach, people can reach trained professionals at any time without an appointment and be matched quickly to the level of support they need. Services will be offered in several languages and will remain publicly funded and free. The government says this should reduce barriers for people seeking help.
The province says the change strengthens Gambling Support BC's role as a place for rapid access and stabilization, with connections to longer-term services in people's own communities where needed.
Nina Krieger, B.C.'s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, said the new model will make supports "easier and more responsive for British Columbians in the moments when they need it most."
Dr. Matthew Chow, chief mental health officer at Telus Health, said problem gambling is a complex issue that affects individuals, families and communities, and that the company is pleased to provide free support to help people recover.
Indigenous supports and a new study
The province is also strengthening Gambling Support BC's Indigenous-specific services. It is making funding more flexible and allowing communities to design their own services, in partnership with the Ministry of Health.
A gambling-prevalence study commissioned by the province and carried out by Leger is underway. The government said it will identify trends in gambling harms experienced by British Columbians, with a full report due this spring.
The government described the changes as part of a broader effort to keep gambling services responsive as gambling behaviour changes, so that people who are struggling can get help whenever they need it.