If you or someone you care about is affected by gambling, help is available right now. You can call the Gambling Help Online helpline on 1800 858 858 at any time of the day or night, 7 days a week. The service is free, confidential, and staffed by trained counsellors who understand what you are going through.
Asking for help is one of the most courageous and effective steps a person can take. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of every major support service available in Australia so that you can find the right help for your situation.
Crisis and Emergency Support
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, these services are available around the clock.
Lifeline — 13 11 14
Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. If gambling has led you to a point of despair or you are having thoughts of self-harm, Lifeline counsellors are available to talk at any time. You can also access crisis support via text by messaging 0477 13 11 14, or through online chat at lifeline.org.au.
Lifeline is not a gambling-specific service, but its counsellors are trained to support people in crisis regardless of the underlying cause. If gambling-related stress, shame, or financial pressure has brought you to a breaking point, please reach out.
Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636
Beyond Blue offers support for anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. Problem gambling frequently co-occurs with mental health difficulties, and addressing both together leads to better recovery outcomes. Beyond Blue’s phone line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and online chat is also available through beyondblue.org.au.
000 — Emergency Services
If someone is in immediate physical danger, call 000. This includes situations involving self-harm, suicide attempts, or family violence that may be connected to gambling-related distress.
Gambling Help Online — 1800 858 858
Gambling Help Online is Australia’s primary national gambling support service. It is the first point of contact for most people seeking help with gambling and should be at the centre of any support plan.
What the Service Offers
- 24/7 telephone counselling on 1800 858 858 — free from any phone in Australia
- Online live chat — available through gamblinghelponline.org.au for those who prefer not to speak on the phone
- Email support — for people who want to communicate in writing and at their own pace
- Information and referrals — counsellors can connect you with local services, financial counselling, and other specialist support in your area
Who Can Use the Service
Gambling Help Online is available to anyone affected by gambling. This includes:
- People who are gambling and want to stop or reduce their gambling
- People who are unsure whether their gambling is a problem but want to talk it through
- Family members, partners, and friends who are worried about someone else’s gambling
- People who have stopped gambling but are finding recovery difficult
You do not need to be in crisis to call. In fact, the earlier you reach out, the more options are available to you. Whether you are just starting to notice warning signs or have been struggling for years, the service is there to help.
What to Expect When You Call
Calling a helpline for the first time can feel daunting. A counsellor will answer, ask how they can help, and listen without judgement. You can share as much or as little as you are comfortable with, and they will help you explore your options. Everything you share is confidential. You do not need to give your name or have all the answers — you just need to make the call.
BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register
BetStop is the Australian Government’s National Self-Exclusion Register for online wagering. It allows any person in Australia to voluntarily exclude themselves from all licensed Australian interactive wagering services through a single registration.
How BetStop Works
- You register online at betstop.gov.au or by calling the BetStop support line.
- You choose an exclusion period: three months, six months, one year, or a lifetime.
- All licensed Australian online wagering operators are then required to close your existing accounts and prevent you from opening new ones for the duration of your exclusion.
- During your exclusion, operators must not send you marketing material.
Important Things to Know
BetStop is free and voluntary. If you choose a minimum period (such as three months), you cannot revoke it early — an important safety feature that protects you during vulnerable moments. BetStop covers online wagering services licensed in Australia but does not cover land-based venues such as pubs, clubs, or casinos; for venue-based exclusion, see the state-by-state information below. Many people find that having this external structure in place is far more effective than relying on willpower alone.
State and Territory Gambling Support
While Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 is the national service, each state and territory also funds local gambling support services offering face-to-face counselling, community programs, and venue-based self-exclusion. Key services include:
- NSW — GambleAware NSW: counselling referrals and venue self-exclusion support
- Victoria — Gambler’s Help: free face-to-face and financial counselling across Victoria
- Queensland — Queensland Gambling Helpline: counselling and referrals including regional areas
- South Australia — Gambling Helpline SA: counselling and the Barring and Self-Exclusion programs
- Western Australia — Gambling Help WA: counselling and support services state-wide
- Tasmania — Gambling Support Services Tasmania: individual and family support
- Northern Territory — Amity Community Services: gambling support across the NT
- ACT — Gambling Support ACT: counselling and local referrals in the Canberra region
In every state and territory, calling 1800 858 858 will connect you with a counsellor who can refer you to the most appropriate local service.
Financial Counselling
Gambling-related financial harm can be severe and complex, involving debt, unpaid bills, damaged credit ratings, and sometimes legal consequences. Specialist financial counselling can help you understand your options and develop a plan to recover.
National Debt Helpline — 1800 007 007
The National Debt Helpline provides free, independent, and confidential financial counselling. Counsellors can help with understanding and prioritising debts, negotiating with creditors, accessing bank hardship provisions, understanding your rights under Australian consumer law, and developing a realistic budget. The service is available Monday to Friday and can refer you to a local financial counsellor for ongoing support.
Bank Gambling Blocks
Several major Australian banks now offer the option to block transactions to gambling operators through their app or customer service line. Not all banks offer this feature, but it is worth asking about as it adds a practical layer of protection in moments of impulse.
Relationships and Family Support
Problem gambling affects far more people than the person who gambles. Partners, children, parents, and friends can all experience significant emotional, financial, and relational harm. Support is available for them too.
Relationships Australia
Relationships Australia offers counselling for individuals, couples, and families dealing with the impact of gambling. Services include relationship counselling, family counselling for children and other family members, mediation, and support regardless of whether the person who gambles is seeking help. Contact Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277 or visit relationships.org.au.
Family and Friends Support Through Gambling Help Online
Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 is not only for the person gambling. Family members and friends can call to discuss how someone else’s gambling is affecting them, get advice, and access referrals for their own support. You deserve support too, and reaching out is not a betrayal of the person you are concerned about.
Mental Health Services
Problem gambling and mental health conditions frequently occur together. Addressing mental health alongside gambling-specific support leads to better outcomes for both.
headspace
headspace provides mental health support for young people aged 12 to 25 experiencing gambling-related distress, whether their own or a family member’s. Services are available at centres across Australia, online, and by phone on 1800 650 890.
SANE Australia
SANE Australia supports people living with complex mental health issues. If gambling is occurring alongside conditions such as bipolar disorder, severe depression, or other complex conditions, SANE can provide specialist guidance on 1800 187 263 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 8pm AEST).
Your GP
Your general practitioner can assess your mental health, provide referrals to psychologists or psychiatrists (which may be subsidised under a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan), and coordinate care. Be honest with your GP about gambling — they are there to help, not to judge.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Support
Gambling can have particular impacts within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, where cultural, social, and historical factors shape people’s experiences. Culturally safe support is essential.
Specialist Services and 13YARN
Some states and territories fund gambling support services specifically designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, delivered by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations or counsellors with specific cultural training. In some regions, programs use yarning circles and culturally grounded approaches to address gambling harm. Call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 to be connected with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services in your area.
13YARN (13 92 76) is a national crisis line staffed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis supporters. If gambling-related distress is affecting you or your community, 13YARN provides culturally safe support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Services
People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds may face additional barriers to accessing gambling support, including language, stigma, and unfamiliarity with the Australian service system.
Multilingual Support and Translated Resources
Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 can arrange interpreter services so that you can access counselling in your preferred language. When you call, let the counsellor know which language you speak and they will arrange an interpreter. Several state services also offer translated information materials — visit gamblinghelponline.org.au for available resources.
In areas with large CALD communities, some services run culturally tailored programs that address gambling within specific cultural contexts. Call 1800 858 858 to ask about services available for your community.
Online Self-Help Resources and Apps
Not everyone is ready to speak with a counsellor, and that is okay. Online self-help resources can be a valuable starting point or a complement to professional support.
Gambling Help Online Website
The Gambling Help Online website (gamblinghelponline.org.au) offers a range of self-help tools, including:
- Self-assessment quizzes to help you understand your level of risk
- Information about how gambling works and why it can become a problem
- Strategies for cutting down or stopping
- Resources for family members and friends
Self-Help Workbooks and Budgeting Tools
Some state gambling services provide free downloadable workbooks covering gambling triggers, coping strategies, managing urges, and building a recovery plan. General budgeting apps can also help you track spending and see how much money is going toward gambling — having a clear picture of your finances can be a powerful motivator for change.
Peer Support and Gamblers Anonymous
For many people, connecting with others who have experienced similar struggles is a powerful part of recovery.
Gamblers Anonymous (GA)
Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of people who support each other in recovery through a structured 12-step program. Meetings are held across Australia, are free and confidential, and require no referral. GA also runs Gam-Anon meetings specifically for family members and partners. Visit gaaustralia.org.au to find a meeting near you.
Online Peer Support
Some gambling support services facilitate online forums and peer support groups. These can be particularly valuable for people in regional or remote areas or for those who prefer anonymity.
How to Access Help for Someone Else
If you are concerned about someone else’s gambling, you may feel uncertain about what to do. It is common to feel torn between wanting to help and not wanting to overstep.
Steps You Can Take
- Educate yourself about problem gambling so you are better prepared to have a conversation.
- Choose the right moment — raise the topic when you are both calm, not during an argument.
- Express concern without blame. Focus on what you have observed and how it affects you rather than making accusations.
- Listen. The person may not be ready to accept help immediately, and that is normal.
- Share information. Let them know about Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 and BetStop at betstop.gov.au.
- Look after yourself. Make sure you are accessing support for your own wellbeing too.
Avoid taking over someone’s finances without their agreement, paying off gambling debts without professional guidance (which can enable continued gambling), or issuing ultimatums you are not prepared to follow through on.
Creating a Personal Support Plan
Recovery from problem gambling is more sustainable when you have a clear plan that draws on multiple sources of support. A personal support plan might include:
- A primary support service such as Gambling Help Online (1800 858 858) for regular check-ins
- Self-exclusion through BetStop (betstop.gov.au) and venue-based programs to create practical barriers
- Financial counselling through the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007)
- Mental health support through your GP, a psychologist, or Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636)
- Peer support through Gamblers Anonymous or online forums
- Trusted people who you can be honest with and who can offer everyday support
- Alternative activities that provide enjoyment, purpose, and social connection
- A plan for managing urges, including who to call and how to get through difficult moments
Write your plan down, share it with a counsellor or trusted person, and review it regularly as your recovery progresses.
You Deserve Support
Whatever stage you are at, you deserve access to quality, non-judgmental support. The single most important number to remember is 1800 858 858 — Gambling Help Online. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and it is free. One phone call can be the beginning of real and lasting change.
Quick Reference: Key Support Numbers
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| Gambling Help Online | 1800 858 858 (24/7) |
| BetStop Self-Exclusion | betstop.gov.au |
| Lifeline | 13 11 14 (24/7) |
| Beyond Blue | 1300 22 4636 (24/7) |
| National Debt Helpline | 1800 007 007 |
| Relationships Australia | 1300 364 277 |
| headspace | 1800 650 890 |
| SANE Australia | 1800 187 263 |
| 13YARN | 13 92 76 (24/7) |
| Gamblers Anonymous | gaaustralia.org.au |
| Emergency Services | 000 |
You are not alone. Help is available. Please reach out.