18+ • Free support is available
Responsible Gambling Help in New Zealand
Gambling is not a way to make money. If it is affecting your wellbeing, finances or relationships, stop and contact an independent support service.
Free and confidential help
Talk to someone now
Gambling Helpline: call 0800 654 655 or text 8006. The service is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in New Zealand.
If you or another person is in immediate danger, call 111.
Signs gambling may be causing harm
You do not need to wait for a crisis. One sign can be enough to pause and seek support.
- Spending more money or time than planned, or trying to win back losses.
- Borrowing, missing bills, hiding transactions or using money needed for essentials.
- Feeling anxious, irritable, restless or unable to stop thinking about gambling.
- Hiding gambling from whānau, friends or colleagues, or arguing about it.
- Gambling to escape stress, low mood, loneliness or other difficulties.
- Letting gambling affect sleep, work, study, health or relationships.
Practical ways to reduce risk
- Set a loss limit before starting. Use only money left after housing, food, bills, transport, debt and savings.
- Set a time limit. Use an alarm, take regular breaks and do not extend the session to recover a loss.
- Never borrow to gamble. Avoid credit, payday lending and moving money from essential accounts.
- Avoid chasing losses. Each outcome is uncertain; previous losses do not make a future win more likely.
- Do not gamble when impaired or distressed. Alcohol, drugs, anger, stress and low mood can make limits harder to follow.
- Use available controls. Depending on the operator, these may include deposit limits, time reminders, cool-off periods or account closure.
- Reduce access. Remove saved payment methods, turn off notifications and ask your bank whether it offers gambling transaction controls.
These steps are not a substitute for professional support. If limits are repeatedly broken, stop gambling and contact the Gambling Helpline.
If you are worried about someone else
Choose a calm time, describe the changes you have noticed and listen without judgement. Avoid lending money for gambling or taking over debts without independent financial advice. You can contact the Gambling Helpline for support even if the person who gambles is not ready to seek help.
Safer Gambling Aotearoa provides information for people who gamble and for whānau. Specialist support options are also available through the national helpline.
Accounts, limits and connected brands
A related brand may share an operator, account system or control process, but the exact arrangement differs. Do not open another account to get around a limit, cool-off period, closure or exclusion. Contact the operator and an independent support service if you are unsure which brands or accounts are covered.
Official information and support
- Safer Gambling Aotearoa — practical information, signs of harm and support pathways.
- Gambling Helpline New Zealand — free and confidential national support.
- Department of Internal Affairs: information for online casino customers — current official player information and regulatory updates.
Online casino regulation in New Zealand is changing. Check the Department of Internal Affairs page for the current position rather than relying on an undated summary.
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