Responsible Gambling
Gambling should be entertainment—not a way to make money. This page explains practical tools to help you stay in control, common warning signs, and where to get free and confidential support in New Zealand.
This site is for adults aged 18+. We are an informational website and do not offer gambling services.
Quick Help
- Talk to someone now: Gambling Helpline — 0800 654 655 — text 8006 —
https://www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz (24/7 phone, text, and resources) - In an emergency or risk of harm: call 111.
Set Limits Before You Play
Use these tools with any operator that accepts New Zealand players:
- Deposit limits: daily/weekly/monthly caps
- Loss limits: stop once you’ve reached a preset loss
- Time limits and reality checks: session reminders every 15–60 minutes
- Wager limits: cap the size/number of bets
- Cool‑off periods: lock your account for 24 hours to 7+ days
- Self‑exclusion: block yourself from one or more sites for 6–24 months or permanently
How to set effective limits
- Decide your entertainment budget for the week/month (money you can afford to lose).
- Choose a session length (e.g., 45–60 minutes) and set a timer.
- Enable deposit/loss limits in the cashier before your first session.
- Stop when a limit is hit—don’t raise it mid‑session.
Recognise the Signs of Harm
Consider taking a break and seeking support if you notice:
- Spending more than planned or borrowing to gamble
- Chasing losses or increasing bet size to recover
- Hiding gambling from family/friends
- Feeling stressed, anxious, or unable to stop
- Gambling affecting work, study, sleep, or relationships
Self‑Exclusion and Blocking Tools
- Operator self‑exclusion: available in the account settings of most sites
- Device/site blocking:
- Gamban — https://gamban.com
- BetBlocker — https://betblocker.org (free)
- Card/payment blocks: ask your bank about gambling transaction blocks
- Marketing opt‑out: unsubscribe from emails/SMS; adjust notification settings
Support in New Zealand (Free and Confidential)
National services
- Gambling Helpline — 0800 654 655 — text 8006 — https://www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz (24/7)
- Healthline — 0800 611 116 — https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/health-care-services/healthline
- Lifeline Aotearoa — 0800 543 354 — text HELP to 4357 — https://www.lifeline.org.nz
- Suicide Crisis Helpline — 0508 TAUTOKO (0508 828 865) — https://mentalhealth.org.nz
Specialist and regional services
- Safer Gambling Aotearoa — https://www.safergambling.org.nz — counselling, self-help tools
- Salvation Army Oasis — 0800 53 00 00 — https://oasis.salvationarmy.org.nz
- Asian Family Services — 0800 862 342 — https://asianfamilyservices.nz (multi-lingual support)
- Māori Gambling Helpline — 0800 654 656 — https://www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz
- Pasifika Gambling Helpline — 0800 654 657 — https://www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz
Financial counselling and budgeting
- MoneyTalks — 0800 345 123 — text 4029 — https://www.moneytalks.co.nz
- Sorted — https://sorted.org.nz
Tips for Safer Play
- Treat wins as a bonus; don’t expect them.
- Avoid gambling when tired, stressed, or under the influence.
- Use smaller stakes and lower‑volatility games for longer sessions.
- Take regular breaks; step away after a big win or loss.
Our Role and Disclosures
- We are an independent, ad‑supported publisher. We may earn commissions from some links. Our reviews and guides are editorially independent.
- We encourage responsible gambling and provide links to help services on every page.
Need to Talk?
Free, confidential help is available 24/7:
- Gambling Helpline — 0800 654 655 — https://www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz
If you’re worried about someone else’s gambling, support is available for family and friends too.