This page is for anyone who feels their gambling has become a problem, or for friends and family worried about someone they care about. The good news is that effective support is genuinely free, genuinely confidential and available at any hour of the day or night. You do not need to be in a full blown crisis to call. Many of the people who reach out are simply trying to understand how they are feeling, and a quick conversation can make a huge difference.
Below we have listed the main support services, explained what to expect when you reach out, and pointed to the blocking tools and financial mentoring services that can help remove temptation and rebuild stability at the same time.
Who do I call first?
The Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 is the right first call. Free. Confidential. 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Trained counsellors are on the line ready to listen, talk through your situation and connect you with longer term support if needed. You do not have to give your name. There is no judgement, and there is no pressure to take any specific next step. The whole point of the call is to be a safe first conversation.
If a phone call feels like too much, Gambling Help Online runs a free live chat and email service that lets you start the conversation in writing. Multilingual support is also available through both channels, so the language barrier does not need to be a barrier to getting help.
What is Gambling Help Online?
Gambling Help Online is the free Australian national service for problem gambling support. They offer free phone, chat and email counselling, plus structured online programs that take you through self guided steps if you would rather work through things at your own pace. Sessions are entirely confidential and tailored to your situation. They also run support groups for affected family members and partners.
What about local support and community services?
Many community organisations offer free counselling for problem gambling and related issues like debt, financial stress and family conflict. The Salvation Army, Lifeline and a long list of community health centres all run programs that take a whole of life approach rather than focusing solely on the gambling itself. Your GP can refer you into the local service that fits your situation, or the Gambling Helpline counsellor can do the same on your behalf.
How do device blockers actually help?
Blocking software removes temptation by making gambling sites inaccessible from your devices entirely. The two most popular tools are Gamban and BetBlocker, both free for individual use. They block tens of thousands of gambling sites worldwide and cannot be uninstalled until the chosen block period ends. The friction is the feature. It is what makes them effective when willpower alone is not quite enough.
Install the blocking software on every device you own, including any work computer where you have a personal browser. The more locked down your digital environment is, the more headroom you give yourself to rebuild a healthier relationship with play. The tools are free, they install in minutes, and they pair perfectly with self exclusion at your usual casinos.
What if gambling has caused financial damage?
If gambling has caused debt, the National Debt Helpline is on 1800 007 007, free across Australia. They offer financial counselling, will help you build a realistic budget, talk to creditors on your behalf and create a plan to get back on track. There is no cost, no judgement, and the service is entirely independent of the gambling industry. Calling them early tends to make the recovery much smoother, because more options stay on the table the sooner you act.
What about supporting someone else?
The same helplines fully support people who are worried about someone they love. The Gambling Helpline has dedicated counsellors for affected family members and friends, and Gambling Help Online runs support groups specifically for partners, parents and adult children of problem gamblers. You do not have to wait until things hit breaking point to reach out, and the conversation can stay entirely about your wellbeing rather than the other person's situation.
If you are not sure how to start a conversation with someone you suspect is struggling, the counsellors can help you plan it. They have seen every variation, they know the language that tends to land and the language that tends to push people away, and a 20 minute phone call before the conversation often makes the difference between a useful talk and an unproductive argument.
1800 858 858
Gambling Helpline. Free, confidential, available 24 hours every day.
Gambling Help Online
Free chat, email and self guided programs at any hour of the day.
Community Counselling
Local services through Salvation Army, Lifeline and community health centres.
Gamban / BetBlocker
Free blocking software for your phone, tablet and computer.
Debt Helpline 1800 007 007
Free financial counselling and debt support, no cost and no judgement.
Family Support
Helplines and groups for partners, parents and friends of problem gamblers.
