Can you help me with my gambling problem?

Relationships Australia offers counselling and advice to individuals and their families looking for ways to deal with the negative impact of gambling in their lives.

If you want to control your urge to gamble, what can you do?

• Be honest with yourself about how much you are losing (keep a record).
• Only gamble if you can afford to lose the money.
• Do not have your EFTPOS or credit card with you if you gamble.
• Break the negative powers of secrecy by telling a close friend or loved one about your experiences with and feelings about gambling, or alternatively, call a telephone counsellor in your area.
• Manage your stress by eating regularly; cutting back on stimulants such as caffeine and/or nicotine.
• Do not drink alcohol while gambling.
• Have a friend go with you when you are shopping.
• Arrange a bill paying service with a bank or credit union.

Gambling Help Counselling

Relationships Australia has two specialist programs called Break Even and Gambler's Help devoted to problem gambling. They provide:

• Face-to-face counselling services to people with a gambling problem and/or to the partners and relatives of people with a gambling problem.
• Assistance in overcoming a gambling problem, like exploring the extent and nature of the gambling behaviour, and the factors which trigger the behaviour or encourage its continuation
• Controlling gambling behaviour through strategies that minimise the harm resulting from gambling and strategies to avoid relapse into uncontrolled gambling behaviour.
• Financial counselling, to address debts, cope with creditors, and reorganise financial affairs generally
• Counselling to address the underlying issues linked to gambling and the impact of gambling on relationships and family life and steps to relieve that impact.
  

Break Even and Gambler's Help Counselling Services are available in: 

Queensland | South Australia | Tasmania | Victoria

If you live in one of the other states/territories, contact the Relationships Australia office nearest you to speak to a counsellor or to book a counselling appointment.

Canberra and Region | New South Wales | Northern Territory | Western Australia

Telephone Counselling and Online Gambling Support

Visit Gamblers Help Online or ring one of the numbers below for a free 24 hour anonymous counselling referral service.

1. Australian Capital Territory: (02) 6247 0655
2. Queensland: 1800 222 050
3. New South Wales: 1800 633 635; TTY 1800 633 649
4. Northern Territory: 1800 629 683
5. Tasmania: 1800 000 973; TTY 1800 000 974
6. Victoria: 1800 156 789
7. South Australia: 1800 060 757
8. Western Australia: 1800 622 112

Other Useful Websites

Problem Gambling Links