Gambling addiction counselling: free services in every state and what to expect

How to get free gambling counselling

The fastest way in is a phone call or a chat. Call 1800 858 858 or start a chat at Gambling Help Online, and you will be talking to a trained gambling counsellor, at no cost, at any hour. From there you can keep using the phone or chat, or ask to be referred to ongoing counselling near you.

Gambling Help Online says calls to the helpline are free and do not show on your phone bill. If typing in chat feels clumsy, tell the counsellor; they know text conversations can be misread and will slow down.

Free gambling counselling in each state

Every state and territory funds its own face-to-face service, and 1800 858 858 will route you to the right one. Here is what each lists as of October 2026.

What happens in gambling counselling

Counselling is a conversation with a goal. You talk about what is going on, what you want to change and what gets in the way, and the counsellor helps you build a plan that fits your life. Gambling Help Online names two approaches counsellors often use:

• Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). You learn to spot the thoughts that push you towards gambling, such as "I'm due for a win", and practise ways to cope with urges and triggers. healthdirect notes that CBT may help overcome gambling addiction.
• Motivational interviewing. If part of you wants to stop and part of you does not, this helps you sort out your own reasons for change, without being lectured.

Some counsellors also see couples or whole families. You do not need to commit to a long program. Gambling Help Online says it may take a few sessions to get on top of things, but even one session can be helpful. It also says the relationship with your counsellor is a key part of whether counselling works, so if the fit is wrong, it is fine to ask for someone else.

Financial counselling for gambling debts

Financial counselling is a separate, free service, and it is often the piece that takes the pressure off. A financial counsellor can help you work out a budget, deal with creditors and plan repayments. Queensland's service also offers paralegal help, and NSW lists free legal advice for gambling-related legal problems.

Ask the helpline for a gambling financial counsellor, or call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. Worrying about debts is one of the gambling triggers Gambling Help Online lists, so sorting them out protects your recovery as well as your bank balance.

Specialist and culturally safe services

General services are open to everyone, but some people prefer a service run by their own community.

Getting the most out of your first session

You do not need to prepare anything. If it helps, think about these before you go:

1. Roughly how much and how often you have been gambling lately.
2. What you want: to stop completely, or to cut down for now.
3. The situations or feelings that usually come before a session.
4. Any debts or money pressure you are dealing with.
5. Who else is affected, and whether you want them involved.

Bring a recent bank or betting statement if you have one. It turns a vague worry into numbers you can work with together.

Counselling for family and friends

Counselling is not only for the person who gambles. Gambling Help Online says ongoing counselling is open to anyone affected by their own or someone else's gambling, including partners, parents and friends who want help for themselves. Our page on help for family of gamblers covers boundaries, money and safety in more detail.

Pairing counselling with practical tools

Counselling works on the why. Blocking tools work on the how. BetStop, venue exclusion and bank gambling blocks make it harder to act on an urge while you build new habits, and our self-exclusion guide explains each one. For a plan you can start today, see how to stop gambling, and if you are unsure whether you need help at all, the signs in our gambling addiction guide are a good check.

Pundit tip: if 1800 858 858 feels like a big step, start with the anonymous chat. Typing your first question can be far easier than saying it out loud.

In a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. More services are on our gambling help Australia page.

Related reading

Guide Gambling laws Australian gambling regulation has two layers: Canberra decides what can be sold online, and the states and territories license everything else. Here is how the pieces fit, with a guide for every jurisdiction. Read more Guide How to stop gambling Stopping gambling is easier with a plan than with willpower alone. These seven steps cover access, money, urges, triggers and support, plus what to do if you slip. Read more Guide Gambling addiction Gambling addiction means you keep gambling even when it is hurting you. Here are the signs health services look for, how common it is in Australia, and the free help that is open right now. Read more Guide Self-exclusion BetStop blocks you from every licensed Australian bookmaker for 3 months up to life. Here is how it works, what it does not cover, and the other tools that close the gaps. Read more Guide Deposit limits Every licensed Australian betting account must let you set a binding deposit limit. Lowering it is instant, raising it takes a week. Here is how the rules work and how to choose a number you will stick to. Read more Guide Family and friends When someone you love gambles too much, you need support too. Here is how to raise it, what helps and what enables, how to protect shared money, and the free services that are there for you. Read more