Gambling Help in New Zealand: Free, Confidential Support

Other red flags include neglecting work, study or whanau because of gambling, feelings of guilt or shame after a session, and chasing the same buzz with bigger and bigger stakes. None of these mean you are broken; they mean it is time to talk.

The major NZ services

Gambling Helpline NZ answers the phone any hour of any day on 0800 654 655. Counsellors are trained, the call is confidential, and they will not push you anywhere you are not ready to go. They can refer you to face to face counselling, financial advice or whanau support depending on what fits.

PGF Services runs free face to face, phone and video counselling right around the country. They support both the person gambling and the people around them, and many clients use the service in te reo Maori or other languages.

Mapu Maia is a Pasifika led service grounded in talanoa and family work. Salvation Army Oasis provides community programmes including weekly groups in major centres. Asian Family Services (0800 862 342) supports Asian communities across NZ.

First steps that help

Talk to someone you trust. Saying it out loud takes the issue out of your own head. If you would rather start anonymously, ring the Helpline or use the online chat at gamblinghelpline.co.nz. Lock yourself out of accounts where you play. Close your Kingdom Casino NZ account with a cooldown or self exclusion to remove the option entirely while you regroup.

Hand control of your bank cards to a trusted family member for a short while if that helps. Install software like Gamban on your phone and computer to block access to gambling sites. None of these are forever changes; they are circuit breakers that buy you space to think.

For friends and whanau

Watching someone you love struggle with gambling is hard. Open the conversation without blame. Listen more than you talk. Offer to go with them to a counselling appointment. Look after your own wellbeing too: PGF Services and the Helpline both offer dedicated support for affected family and friends.

Avoid covering debts directly, since that can prolong the cycle. Help with practical steps like budgeting and contacting a financial mentor through MoneyTalks (0800 345 123) instead.

Money problems linked to gambling

Gambling debts can spiral fast. MoneyTalks offers free, confidential financial mentoring on 0800 345 123. Christians Against Poverty (capnz.org) and individual Citizens Advice Bureau offices help with budgeting and debt plans. None of these services charge a cent.

A reminder

Reaching out is the bravest part. Trained counsellors deal with this every day and have heard it all before. Pick the service that feels closest to you, send a message or pick up the phone. The first call is usually the hardest, and almost always the most useful one you ever make. If you also want to lock down your Kingdom account while you sort things out, head to close account for the steps.

What to expect from a first call

The first call to the Gambling Helpline takes about twenty minutes. The counsellor will ask a few open questions to understand what brought you to the line and how gambling fits into your life right now. There is no pressure to commit to anything. Some callers want practical advice on blocking software or face-to-face counselling. Others just need to talk through what they are feeling. The conversation is confidential, free and unlogged against your name.

Face to face counselling

If you would prefer to sit across the table from a counsellor, PGF Services and Salvation Army Oasis both run free sessions in centres across the North and South Islands. Appointments are usually offered within a week of the first contact. Sessions last around an hour and are tailored to your goals, whether that is full abstinence, controlled play or something in between.

Group programmes and peer support

Group programmes can be powerful because hearing others describe the same thoughts removes a lot of the shame. Gamblers Anonymous runs free meetings in major centres and online. Salvation Army Oasis runs both group programmes and one to one sessions. PGF Services has dedicated support groups for affected family members.

Cultural support services

Mapu Maia delivers Pasifika centred support grounded in talanoa and family work. Asian Family Services on 0800 862 342 supports Asian communities in multiple languages. PGF runs Maori focused programmes that incorporate te reo and tikanga where the client wants that. Choosing a service whose approach feels familiar tends to make staying engaged with treatment much easier.

Building a support plan

A solid plan usually combines several of the steps on this page. Set up a deposit cap or self exclusion at Kingdom Casino NZ. Install Gamban or BetBlocker on your devices. Ask your bank for a gambling block on your cards. Book a counselling appointment. Tell one person you trust what you are doing so they can check in with you. None of these steps are forever. They are circuit breakers that buy you the time and space to make calmer decisions.