From the desk of The Lucky Insider
When the night stops being fun
Everyone on this list assumes you play for fun. If that changes, for you or for someone close to you, free and confidential help is there around the clock.
Reaching out early is the sensible move, not the embarrassing one. The services below are free, confidential and independent of any operator.
Gambling Help Online — 24/7 support
gamblinghelponline.org.au offers free, confidential counselling by phone on 1800 858 858, plus online chat and email, 24 hours a day, every day. Family members and friends can use it too.
BetStop — the National Self-Exclusion Register
betstop.gov.au lets you exclude yourself from every Australian-licensed online and phone wagering provider in one step, for three months up to life. It is free and run by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. It does not reach services licensed outside Australia, so close any accounts you hold there and ask each operator to exclude you.
If you need to talk to someone now
Lifeline answers 24/7 on 13 11 14. If someone is in immediate danger, call 000.
Three signs to take seriously
- Playing with money meant for something else. Rent, bills or savings, even once: that is the moment to step back.
- Chasing losses. Raising your stakes after a losing session is one of the clearest early signs of harm.
- Keeping it from the people closest to you. Noticing that you want to hide it matters more than the size of any loss.
No operator on this list is worth a problem you didn't see coming. If you are reading this page closely, call 1800 858 858. It is free and confidential.
