Free, confidential support in New Zealand
Call the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 or text 8006. The Gambling Helpline provides a free 24-hour service and describes specialist support for Māori, Pasifika, debt concerns and young people.
Safer Gambling Aotearoa has information about recognising harm, talking with someone and finding local services. You can seek help for yourself or because you are concerned about another person.
Practical steps to create distance from gambling
- Pause deposits and play.Do not make another deposit to recover money already lost.
- Use account limits or self-exclusion.Read the operator’s process and keep a copy of the request. Separate operators may require separate exclusions.
- Ask your bank about payment controls.Availability and coverage vary; ask what a gambling block does and does not cover.
- Remove prompts to return.Unsubscribe from marketing, remove saved payment methods where possible and consider blocking tools.
- Tell someone you trust.Support can make it easier to follow through on a decision to stop.
Do not rely on a single technical block as a complete solution. A support service can help identify options suitable for your circumstances.
Limits are boundaries, not targets
If you choose to gamble, decide in advance what you can afford to lose after essential expenses, and set a time limit. Do not borrow to gamble, chase losses or treat a bonus deadline as a reason to continue. A spending limit is a maximum, not an amount you need to use.
Warning signs can include hiding spending, repeatedly increasing limits, thinking of gambling as a way to pay bills, or feeling unable to stop. You do not need to diagnose a condition before contacting support.
Our publication policy
This site is intended for readers aged 20 and over. We do not describe gambling as income, guarantee wins or use a bonus as a solution to financial difficulty. No comparison or calculator can remove the possibility of losing money.