Help Is Available - You're Not Alone

How to Use This Resource Guide

First, understand that reaching out for help is the hardest step. You’re reading this, which means you’re considering it. That’s already progress.

This guide lists organizations available in Australia that specifically address problem gambling. Some are helplines (you call and talk to someone). Some are support groups (you meet with other people facing the same issue). Some provide counseling (professional therapy). Some do all three.

Choose what feels most accessible to you. If calling feels overwhelming, start with a text service. If group meetings feel scary, start with one-on-one counseling. If you’re not ready for any of those, start with a website or online resource.

There’s no “right” path to recovery. There’s just the path you’re willing to take right now. And that’s enough.

National Helplines (Call or Text)

Problem Gambling Helpline (Primary Resource)

Phone: 1800 858 858
Availability: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Service: Counseling and referral
Cost: Free
What to expect: You call and speak with a trained counselor who specializes in gambling addiction. They’ll listen to your situation, ask questions to understand your concerns, and help connect you with appropriate resources.

Why call: If you’re in crisis (suicidal thoughts, severe financial distress), this is the right number. The counselor won’t judge. They’ll have heard your story before. Their job is to help, not convince you that you have a problem. They’ll meet you where you are.

Tip: Call when you’re calm if possible, not in the middle of a gambling session. You’ll be able to think more clearly and get more out of the conversation.

Lifeline (Mental Health Crisis Line)

Phone: 13 11 14
Availability: 24/7
Service: Crisis support and referral
Cost: Free (local call rate)
What to expect: Lifeline handles mental health crises. If your gambling has led to depression, suicidal thoughts, or acute anxiety, Lifeline can help.

Why call: If gambling is affecting your mental health severely, Lifeline can provide immediate support and connect you with mental health professionals.

Text-Based Support

Text: Some services offer text-based counseling if calling feels too vulnerable. You text 1800 858 858 and a counselor responds. It takes a few minutes for responses, but it’s less confrontational than a live call.

Why text: Some people find it easier to be honest via text. You have time to think about what you want to say. You can save the conversation. It might feel less real, which sometimes makes it easier to be vulnerable.

Email Support

Some organizations offer email counseling where you email your situation and a counselor responds within 24 hours. It’s more asynchronous but allows you to write at your own pace.

Support Groups

Gamblers Anonymous (GA)

Website: gamblersanonymous.org.au
Meetings: In-person throughout Australia
Availability: Weekly meetings in most cities
Cost: Free (donations optional)
Format: 12-step group model (similar to AA)

What it is: GA is the largest peer support organization for gambling addiction. Meetings are small groups (usually 5-20 people) where members share experiences, discuss recovery, and support each other.

What to expect: You’ll sit in a circle. The meeting opens with a reading explaining GA’s principles. Members share their stories. You’re welcome to just listen at your first meeting. Sharing is optional. After the meeting, people often socialize and exchange contact info. This is where the real support happens—in one-on-one connections with other people in recovery.

Why GA works: Hearing other people’s stories normalizes the experience. You realize you’re not unique in your struggle. People who’ve been through worse and recovered give you hope. The structure (regular meeting attendance) creates routine and accountability.

Finding a meeting: Visit the website, enter your location, see meetings near you. Most cities have multiple meetings weekly. Try a few different ones to find a group that feels right.

What to bring: Just yourself. No fees required. Some people bring a notebook for notes, but it’s not necessary.

SMART Recovery

Website: smartrecoveryaustralia.org.au
Meetings: In-person and online
Availability: Weekly meetings
Cost: Free
Format: Science-based, non-religious alternative to 12-step

What it is: SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) is a secular, evidence-based alternative to GA. It focuses on cognitive-behavioral principles and empowerment.

Key differences from GA:

• Non-religious (GA has spiritual elements)
• Focuses on why your brain rewards gambling and how to retrain it
• Emphasizes personal agency (you’re not powerless; you have tools)
• Uses specific techniques from psychology (ABCD, cost-benefit analysis)

Why SMART works: If you respond better to scientific explanation than spiritual framework, SMART might resonate more. The focus on understanding brain chemistry and using specific techniques appeals to analytical people.

Finding a meeting: Website lists in-person meetings and also offers online meetings. Online meetings remove location barriers.

Online Support Communities

Reddit (r/problemgambling) is an active community where people discuss recovery, share struggles, and support each other. It’s anonymous, which can feel safer for initial disclosure. However, professional moderation is limited, so quality varies.

Other online forums exist through various counseling organizations. These are more curated than Reddit but less active.

Professional Counseling & Therapy

Individual Gambling Counselors

How to find them: Psychology Today (psychologytoday.com), TherapyDen, or through your GP referral.

What to look for: Someone with specific training in gambling addiction or behavioral addictions. Not all therapists specialize in gambling, and generalist counseling is less effective.

Cost: Varies. Private therapists range $100-300+ per hour. Some offer sliding scale fees based on income.

What to expect: Initial session involves your history and current situation. Subsequent sessions focus on identifying triggers, developing coping strategies, and building a recovery plan. Most people see a therapist weekly initially, then monthly for maintenance.

Therapy types that work:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifies thought patterns that trigger gambling and teaches you to interrupt them
• Motivational Interviewing: Explores your reasons for wanting to change
• Family Therapy: If your gambling has affected relationships

Counseling Services Through Community Health

How to access: Through your local community health center or via GP referral.

Cost: Usually low or free, depending on your income and insurance.

What to expect: Similar to private therapy, but may have longer wait times. Quality varies by location.

Advantage: Insurance often covers these services. If cost is a barrier, this is a more accessible option.

Online Therapy

Platforms: BetterHelp, Talkspace, and similar services offer therapy via video, phone, or chat.

Cost: Often $200-300/week for therapist access (varies by provider and plan).

Advantage: You can access therapy from home, at your schedule. Useful if you’re homebound or location is a barrier.

Limitation: Less comprehensive assessment than in-person therapy initially.

Government Gambling Help Services

Gambling Help Online: gamblinghelponline.org.au
Australian government-funded service providing:

• Phone counseling (1800 858 858)
• Online information
• Therapist directory
• Self-assessment tools

This is specifically designed for Australians and understands local gambling context and regulations.

Specialized Programs

Residential Rehabilitation (Inpatient)

When it’s appropriate: Severe addiction, multiple failed outpatient attempts, concurrent mental health issues (depression, anxiety).

Duration: Usually 28-90 days of intensive treatment.

What it includes: Daily therapy, psychiatric care if needed, peer support, education about addiction, life skills training.

Cost: Variable. Some programs accept insurance. Some have sliding scale fees. Cost ranges from $10,000-50,000+ depending on program.

Finding programs: Your counselor can refer you. Psychology Today lists programs by location. Some rehabilitation centers specialize in addiction including gambling.

Advantage: Intensive support in controlled environment. Removes you from your normal triggers temporarily. Builds strong therapeutic relationships and peer support.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

If you have gambling addiction plus depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, or substance use issues, look for programs that treat both simultaneously. Treating only the gambling misses the underlying issue.

Most quality rehabilitation programs address dual diagnosis.

Financial & Legal Support

Financial Counseling

If gambling has left you in debt, financial counseling helps you understand the damage and create a repayment plan.

Free services:

• Community Legal Centers often provide free financial advice
• Credit counseling services (nonprofits)
• Some banks have financial counseling departments

What they do: Review your debt, create a budget, help negotiate with creditors, develop repayment strategy.

Why it matters: Addressing the financial damage reduces shame and anxiety, which removes a reason to gamble (to escape the stress).

Legal Aid

If gambling has led to legal issues (fraud, bad checks), legal aid can provide representation.

How to access: Community Legal Centers, Legal Aid NSW, or similar in your state.

Bankruptcy or Debt Relief

In severe cases, personal insolvency might be an option. A financial counselor or lawyer can explain if this is appropriate for your situation.

Family Support

If Your Loved One Is Struggling

Families are deeply affected by someone else’s gambling addiction. If you’re supporting someone with gambling issues:

For family members:

• Gam-Anon (sister organization to GA) is for people affected by someone else’s gambling. Meetings provide support and strategies for families.
• Family Counseling can help relationships recover from the damage gambling has caused.
• Al-Anon (for families of people with substance addiction) has some overlap with gambling issues if alcohol/drugs are involved.

What to do:

• You cannot force someone to get help
• You can express concern clearly and lovingly
• Setting boundaries for yourself is crucial (not lending money, protecting finances, etc.)
• Taking care of your own mental health is foundational
• Support groups for families help you process anger, guilt, and frustration

Quick-Start Guide (Choose Your First Step)

If you’re in acute crisis (suicidal, severe distress): Call Lifeline: 13 11 14

If you want immediate support but aren’t in crisis: Call Problem Gambling Helpline: 1800 858 858

If calling feels too hard: Text or email the Problem Gambling Helpline, or visit an online community

If you want peer support: Find a Gamblers Anonymous meeting near you

If you want professional counseling: Contact your GP for a referral, or search Psychology Today for gambling specialists

If you want industry-wide exclusion: Register with NCSR (through SpinFever or directly)

If you want to set limits on your gambling: Use SpinFever’s built-in tools (deposit limits, loss limits, session limits)

All of the above: Most people in recovery use multiple resources. Support group + therapy + limits + possible medication. The people with best outcomes use several tools simultaneously.

Resources Summary Table

Remember: The best support is the one you’ll actually use. If you’re more likely to call than attend a meeting, prioritize the hotline. If you connect better with people, prioritize group meetings. Recovery is personal. Your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.