Get help | gambling minds

Getting help is the first step to reducing gambling harm. Deciding where and how to start your journey can be confusing, so using a specialist service can help you get started.

Need urgent support?

You should seek support if you ever feel in intense distress and need urgent care. You can visit your local hospital's emergency department or contact your local mental health service, Lifeline or Beyond Blue. All Victorian mental health services provide 24/7 support.

Find out about your local mental health services here.

You can also contact Lifeline and Beyond Blue.

GP or Gambler's Help services

Your GP, Gambler's Help or Gambling help online are good places to start.

GP - Engaging with your GP can be very helpful as they are in a good position to assess your needs and refer you to appropriate support services.
Gambler's Help services offer free therapeutic and financial counselling for people gambling and affected others. You can call 1800 858 858 24/7 or find your local Gamblers Help service by clicking here and scrolling to the bottom of the page.
Gambling Help Online - You can speak with counsellors by calling the 24/7 Gambling help phone line on 1800 858 858. You can also visit their website and speak with someone via an online chat or email service.

Find out more about the support provided by Gamber's Help and Gambling help online.

gambling minds is a secondary consultation service, which means we work alongside your GP, mental health clinician or counsellor to provide additional specialist assessment.

Online information

Some people prefer to research information online before seeking help from a health professional. Here's a few organisations you can try.

Gambler’s Help Gambler’s Help services are provided by a range of community organisations across metropolitan, regional and rural Victoria.

Gambling help online Online resource for people affected by gambling harm. National service with a 24/7 helpline.

Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation The VRGF works with partners and communities to inform people about the risks of gambling, and to provide support to those who need it, including people affected by someone else’s gambling.

Reducing risks

As people start their recovery journey, they may choose to try and reduce some gambling urge triggers. There are several ways you can reduce access by limiting access to money or excluding yourself from gambling venues or online facilities.

Self-exclusion programs

Self-exclusion programs are a service offered by the gaming industry to people who wish to ban themselves from gaming rooms around Victoria.

Gambler’s Help services can advise and support you through this process. You can also contact the following organisations to arrange self-exclusion:

Australian Hotels Association (AHA): Call (03) 9654 3491 (24 hours, 7 day message service) or email maha@ahavic.com.au
TAB: Call the TAB Customer Service Centre on 1800 882 876 for information about Betcare, Tabcorp’s wagering self-exclusion program, or talk to staff at any TAB outlet
Crown Casino: Call the Crown Responsible Gaming Support Centre on 1800 801 098 for information about the Crown Casino self-exclusion program. Self-exclusion from the Crown gaming room is separate to the AHA process.

Find out more about self-exclusion programs.

Bet Stop

BetStop - the National Self-Exclusion Register™ is a safe and free Australian Government initiative to block yourself from all licensed Australian online and phone gambling providers. You can register at any time.

Once you register, online and phone gambling providers will not be able to:

let you place a bet
let you open new betting accounts
send you marketing messages.

You can nominate someone you know to support you while you are self-excluded. You can also access information about other gambling supports that are available.

Ready to start? Registering takes about 5 minutes and can be started by clicking here.

Money management

Some people start with limiting access to money in the early stages of their recovery. Your counsellor and financial counsellor can talk with you about ways to do this to meet your needs best. Banks can be a helpful place to start.

Find out more about money management.

Gambler's Help services

Gambler’s Help Gambler’s Help services are provided by a range of community organisations across metropolitan, regional and rural Victoria.

Gambler’s Help: Aboriginal communities Most people in Aboriginal communities play the pokies or have a bet without any trouble. But for some people, gambling causes money problems, stress and arguments in the family.

Gambling help online Online resource for people affected by gambling harm. National service with a 24/7 helpline.

Gambler’s Help Southern Gambler's Help Southern is a program run by Better Health Network on behalf of Gambler's Help Victoria.

Mental health services

Public Mental Health Services Vic Know your local area mental health services and what they provide.

Mental Health Vic Mental Health Vic is the peak body for MH Services in Victoria. They provide information on mental health services in your area.

Lifeline Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Beyond Blue Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.

Gambling. It's worth asking the question.

Mental health clinicians are skilled in discussing sensitive issues. They are ideally placed to explore patients gambling behaviour.

Find out more

Need help now?

Lifeline Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Beyond Blue Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.