Gambler's Help
Gambler's Help
For immediate help call 1800 858 858 FREECALL now. There will be someone to answer your call. Or, visit Gambling Gelp Online at www.gamblinghelponline.org.au for live counselling, email support and self-help tools.
What does Gambler's Help do?
What is counselling?
What do financial counsellors do?
What is Gambler’s Help?
Gambler’s Help is a problem gambling support service that operates across Victoria.
It offers support, advice and information to people affected by gambling (both gamblers and non-gamblers) and to the broader community.
The program is an initiative of the Victorian State Government and funded from the Community Support Fund.
What does Gambler's Help do?
Gambler's Help aim to:
- Help the person to work out what the problems are
- Help the person to gain an understanding of their gambling behaviours
- Help the person to work out their own skills, strengths, and ability to change or cope with their situation and gambling behaviour
- Support the person while they go through the process of change
Gambler's Help counsellors also help people who are concerned about someone else's gambling.
What is counselling?
Counselling is an opportunity for you to discuss issues or concerns with a professional in a safe, confidential, non-threatening, accepting environment. The counsellor does not judge you but is there to help you work out your own problems and explore options about how to change your life.
For counselling to be of most benefit, it is important that you feel comfortable with both the style the counsellor uses and your relationship with them. You need to feel that you can speak your mind. If this is not happening, it is vital that you bring this up with the counsellor and negotiate any changes necessary.
What to expect from a Gambler’s Help counsellor
- Professional, confidential and free service
- A thorough assessment of your gambling and other related issues
- Information
- Referral to other agencies
- Counselling for gambling
- Counselling for other issues
Counselling can be individual, couple, family or group-based. Goals are worked out with you. You decide whether to stop or control your gambling and which other issues to address.
Gambler’s Help counselling is available at different locations. Contact Gambler’s Help for your nearest service.
What to expect from Gambling Help Online
Gambling Help Online has self-help tools, live counselling and email support. We can help with good ideas or support for developing your own strategies for change.
Gambling Help Online provides live counselling and email support for anyone with a gambling concern. It is
anonymous, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What do financial counsellors do?
Financial counsellors have skills and knowledge in laws relating to debt. They help people who have debts to understand and exercise their rights and responsibilities in relation to their debts.
Financial counsellors can also help by providing information and support, advice about government concessions and entitlements, and information about where to get food vouchers and other forms of assistance.
The counsellors at Gambler's Help all have qualifications and experience.
Counselling at Gambler's Help is free and confidential.
Comments Disclaimer
You're now in the public comments section of this page. Please do NOT post personal questions for Gambler's Help service professionals as they do not moderate or reply to questions here. This content comes from other people visiting the site and cannot be vouched for. Also please do NOT give feedback on the site here. A reminder: By using this Web site you are accepting the terms of the Department of Justice Privacy statement.
Comments
Hey guys, my mother is in a spot of bother from gamling and alcohol abuse, while my dad has been working interstate on mines, she has somehow, re morgaged the houses, shifted money from my dads accounts to her and put it all into the pokies.
it mounts up to nearly $300,000 and my dad is devorcing her and threating legal action, is there somone she can goto for help? somone who can tell her what sort of punishment will be issued if he does this and what she should do to fix it.
thankyou very much.
B
Hi, am 30 year old female. First time at the casino was a year ago...Now after loosing thousands of dollars, I seek help. Going to go to Gamblers anonymous meeting, hope its helpful. I don't know whats wrong with me. I am intelligent, have a good job, yet nowdays the salary is nowere enough to support my habbit. I hate it!!!
Hi I am 18 and my first time in a casino was on my birthday. The first time it was just to see what it was like because I've always been curious. It wasn't a problem at first. After that I'd go every now and then with friends. It was the last couple days that I started to think I may have a problem. After a visit to the casino I wasn't satisfied so I signed up to an online blackjack site and began playing. I started off with $30 at first then I won almost $500 and within a short time after that I lost it all. I thoguht I'd just make another $30 deposit... then after that it became a $40 deposit.. After that I was really bummed out about it. I didn't understand why I couldn't stop. I don't think it was the money, I think it was just about winning.
Today I went to the casino again. I had a big win but then all the money I won I just gambled it away again. When I got home I did some searches on the internet and found this site. I sat here and read through all of the stories. It just makes me sad how horrible gambling is. I realise how young I am and it's not too late to stop this. Thank you all who are brave enough to share your stories.
I have been gambling for nearly 15 years I had a couple of years up where I didn't gamble and inthe last 2 years I have I have got the bug back I told my wife to today what I did again she sticks by me sometime I think she deserves much more than me I have continued to lie to her and not give her and reason for her to stay with I love her very much I want to stop but at this present moment I don't know to stop sometimes it's gets to much and the onlyoption is to is for her to leave me and on with her life I just want to beat this problem and live a simple healthy life. K
HI I AM 48 AND I HAVE BEEN GAMBLING FOR 25YEARS. WE HAD A TEMINALLY ILL DAUGHTER WHO PASSED AWAY LAST YEAR. SINCE THEN I HAVE SYOPPED GAMBLING AND HAVE REVEALED EVERYTHING TO MY WIFE. TYPICAL GAMBLER, DO NOT PAY BILLS ALWAYS GOT EXCUSES WHY. I WASTED OUR SAVINGS AND CHILDREN'S MONEY ALSO. SINCE REVEALING EVERYTHING TO MY WIFE, SHE HAS BUILT THIS MASSIVE WALL BETWEEN US AND I AM FINDING IT VERY HERD TO COPE. I REALLY LOVE MY WIFE AND I WANT TO SHOW HER THAT I REALLY CARE AND THAT I CAN CHANGE. I NEED SOME SORT OF HELP, BUT NOT KNOWING WHERE TO START. I PRAY EVERY DAY AND ASK MY LATE DAUGHTER FOR HELP. HOPING EVERYTHING WORKS OUT FOR MYSELF AND EVERYONE FINDING THEMSELVES IN THIS POSITION.
I'm 42 and played pokies for a large part of my adult life, until it started to destroy my soul, and everything around me. When I hit rock bottom I wrote down a list of all the positives and negatives caused by gambling.
I read that list over and over again and the list of negatives was so overwhelming that I felt compelled to stop and have hardly gambled since - that was 10 years ago. It just didn't make sense to me to continue gambling.
When you consider how it impacts your life, you'll find reasons to stop. It also helps to find other interests to replace it. These days, I develop online computer games and I actually made a video poker game that can be a nice little distraction if you still have the urge to double up. It has a hiscore board and fierce competition all around the world, and best of all, doesn't cost a cent.
Good luck!
My bf's mother is constantly at the club for hours on end, yet the family don't seem to mind the gambling, just the staying at the club late and leaving is unsafe! I brought to their attention how much $ she must be going through. She often manipulates my bf saying she is a bit down, and he is silly to give her money to play. She always has a handful of meal vouchers you can draw out after putting so much money in the machines. Would anyone know how much you would have to put in a machine to get say a $15 meal voucher at the rsl club.I can see how gambling can put a strain on any relationship, i dont want a bf who is going to financially support a addicted mother because he feels sorry for her.
you need help
I ran up a sizeable debt on my credit card through gambling at an online sports bookie. After sitting back and assessing my situation, I took out a loan, paid off my credit card, reduced the limit to a very small one and closed my online account. HOWEVER... despite the friendly chap at the bank saying to me "yes, we'll take care of that for you, your limit has been reduced and you'll be able to see it when you next log on to netbank" .... AND .... the betting agency replying to my email confirming that my account had been closed ..... NEITHER of these were done. I soon realised that I could still access my betting account AND had quite a bit of credit to play with. Regrettably, i soon found myself back in the same situation - with the addition of the loan. I realise that this is my fault and I feel like an idiot for letting myself get in to that position again, but does anyone know if the bank or the betting agency have any sort of committment to their customers to in fact carry out the requests? I can't help but feel that had my betting account been closed and my credit card limit been reduced, I would not be in this situation.
I would appreciate responses from anyone that has had anything similar happen to them or any advice as to whether I have a case against the bank or bookie.
Thanks
My mother is a bad gambler and has been gambling for years. She has stole from her family. My father is very successful but is not getting anywhere because she keeps stealing.
the final straw was 2 years ago she lied about borrowing 1500 from me to help my sisters wedding, yes she gambled it,
Only a few weeks ago the idiot i am she took another 1500 from me and gambled it again. i have not spoke with her since, I love her but have made the decision to never speak with her again. i am disgusted she could even do that to me. i am 30 and trying to get ahead in my life...
i dont blame the pokies. We all have addictions, mine is smoking..... She lies, is cunning and obviously shows no love but for herself. I feel for anyone else going through this and only hope that you never have to go through what we have been through. Mum i hope you read this its from your son
I have been addicted to the pokies for about fifteen years, and like those above me, it has completely ruined my life! Where once I had a loving secure marriage, a wonderful home and family (not to mention self respect) I now have none of those. I live a life of perpetual poverty...never having enough food, bills overdue, borrowing or stealing from those I love...the guilt, the shame and the feeling of hopelessness is a never ending cycle that I just can't seem to stop. I'm intelligent, creative, kind and fun and yet none of that matters in the face of this addiction...
I am 30 years old and for ten years I gambled away every spare cent I had, even skipping paying bills on time to support my habit. 5 years ago I met the girl of my dreams and came clean 2 years into the relationship about my gambling. I swore id give it up and save for a house so that we could be together. I was doing well for a short period but when times became stressfull I turned to gambling hoping that I could make everything better, but the more I lost the more I gamled to try get it back. In the proccess the lies became like 2nd nature and I just couldnt build up the courage to say something thinking that I would lose her and other loved ones. Eventualy I couldnt sleep due to the guilt and I spilled my guts to her. That night when she walked out was the most pain I had ever felt in my entire life. It was like I had shot her on her way out. This was the day that changed my life. I still feel enormous pain but the relief that I could finally tell someone was almighty. I am turning my life around now and vowed that I would never go back to being the person I had became. If i do relapse I will not hesitate in telling my loved ones because they will never judge you and only want the best for you. I wished I learnt this lesson years ago. 2 weeks into my new life I am doing extremely well and havnt been tempted to gamble. I still pray that she will forgive me one day and come back. I will give her the est life ever.
Hello im 28 and have a pokie addiction ive been going since over 10 years ever since i turned 18 would go now n then but i go often these days i just found them fun playing the pokies and atm i just cant stop going i need help badly and every bit of money i get just goes in a machine i cant pay off bills etc as of this addiction i have no money and its hurting my love ones and friends aswell i just wish they would get rid of the machines as ill then save n wont have any problems im scard that my bf or family might leave me as of this problem
Hi I am also a gambling addict. The pokies have ruined my life! I am 41 and have been gambling for 10 years. My mariage is over because of this putrid addiction. I hate them with a vengenance. I wish they would just get rid of the machines, cannot beleive how much money and not to mention time that has gone into playing them. It has been just one ugly scary nightmare for me. I really want to stop now because I am not enjoying them anymore. I use them to escape reality however I feel 10 times worse after. I have alot of empathy for those who suffer the same addiction. No money, cant pay bills lie after lie and just total kaos day after day. I know I will never ever get back what I have lost but the time is near and I will stop because I'm better than that I know I am. I hope for those who suffer the same c**p everyday can just wake up and realize we have become hostages to this ridiculous form of entertainment. Goodluck to you all and may we stop soon before it takes over our life completely.
My husband (42) is gambling since he was 18. Since we got married he was gambling but he's never facing that he has a problem. He's in debt and he is gampling at least 2-3 times a week large sums of money. He denies that he has a problem, he is lying all the time and many times he is going to work just to gamble. We had days when we didn't had food in the house because he gambled until the last penny. We suffer because he is not mature enough to face that is is an addictive gambler.
His first marriage ended after 5 years because of his gambling. Eventually my marriage will end up in divorce also. Right now I don't have money or any place to go until I finish school, but as soon I am done with school, I will take my kids and leave him. I am sick of it.
i am 22 and for about three years i have been playing the pokie, stealing money, getting creditcards and selling possessions just so i could support my habbit, it xmas now and i cant even buy my parents who know about my habbit a present. I cant go round the world like i wanted to do, cant go out with friends to a movie cause all my money goes to my addiction. All my family and friends know, I think that that is the hardest step explaining to your loved ones why i have no food in the house.....
i'm 24 an have had a pokie addiction basicly since i was introduced to them when i was 18. Every bit of money i get it always seems to be put through a machine i cant help it, pokies are all i think about. I hurt everyone around me by doing this and i always have no money by doing this. Most recently I have been kicked out of home for lying about where my money has gone to my dad My mum gave me $20 for petrol and I went straight to the pokies with it... I'm hurting me, my family and friends...
i m 24 an have had a pokie addiction basicly since i was introduced to them when i was 18 it is hard to tell someone they have a problem untill they are ready to come to terms with it because when someone knows they have a problem then it means they have to come to terms with all the pain they have caused not to mention the embarrasment an how hard it is to get it under controll i m still fightin to be rid of my addiction but as i live by myself an have very few friends it is a very hard fight.
I wish I knew the answer to how we can get them to see the harm that is happening. My 67 year old mother has in the last 6 months taken up gambling, she stopped for a while but it's back with a vengance. when we try to talk to her about it she say's it her money but poor dad is left with paying all the bills and he's at his wits end....
My husband (43)has left the home and moved in with his mother because of gambling. He is still in denial and it has been 6 months I have told him he has until xmas to work it out and am worried that he is not moving past the denial. He is still gambling and telling everyone that he is not. The bank account shows the truth. How do you get them to face the truth.
Post new comment
Comment Rules
People who want to post comments on problemgambling.vic.gov.au are going to have to follow certain rules. Not all forums are like that, but this one is.
No swearing at all, no insulting individuals or groups, no libel, slander, no lying, no fabricating, no ethnic slurs, no religious bigotry, no threats of any kind, no vulgar humour and no insulting comparisons. Discourse and debate is encouraged but all comments should be polite and civil. This is a public space so please behave and write accordingly.
The Department of Justice reserves the right to remove posts it deems break any of the rules or the spirit of the rules and reserves the right to block individuals from commenting. Language filtering programs will be used to block certain words as will human moderation of all comments too.
Comments should be limited to the topic of the content above. This is not a place for private conversations, no matter how harmless.
Very important: if you see a comment that you feel is inappropriate, let us know by clicking on the 'comment complaint' or 'report this complaint' button.