Responsible Gambling
Gambling should remain a form of entertainment—not a strategy for income. This page walks through practical control tools, common risk signals, and where to find free, confidential help in New Zealand.
This site is for adults aged 18+. We provide information only and do not run gambling services.
Quick Help
- Need to talk right now? Gambling Helpline — 0800 654 655 — text 8006 —
https://www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz (24/7 phone, text, and online resources) - In an emergency or immediate risk of harm, call 111.
Set Limits Before You Play
Activate these tools with any operator that accepts New Zealand players:
- Deposit limits: daily/weekly/monthly caps
- Loss limits: end play once a preset loss figure is reached
- Time limits and reality checks: reminders every 15–60 minutes
- Wager limits: cap stake size or bet counts
- Cool-off periods: pause your account for 24 hours up to several days
- Self-exclusion: block yourself from one or multiple sites for 6–24 months or permanently
How to set effective limits:
- Decide your entertainment budget for the week or month (money you can afford to lose).
- Choose a session length (e.g., 45–60 minutes) and set an alarm.
- Enable deposit/loss caps in the cashier before your first wager.
- Stop when a limit is reached—never lift it mid-session.
Recognise the Signs of Harm
Consider pausing play and seeking help if you notice:
- Spending more than planned or borrowing to gamble
- Chasing losses or increasing stakes to recover
- Hiding gambling from family or friends
- Feeling stressed, anxious, or unable to stop
- Gambling disrupting work, study, sleep, or relationships
Self-Exclusion and Blocking Tools
- Operator self-exclusion: available via most account settings
- 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 or reduce notification frequency
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, not a guarantee.
- Avoid gambling when tired, stressed, or under the influence.
- Use smaller stakes and lower-volatility games for longer sessions.
- Take frequent breaks; step away after a major win or loss.
Our Role and Disclosures
- We are an independent, ad-supported publisher. Some links may generate commissions, but our reviews and guides remain editorially independent.
- We promote responsible gambling and highlight support resources throughout the Site.
Need to Talk?
Free, confidential help is available around the clock:
- Gambling Helpline — 0800 654 655 — https://www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz
If you’re concerned about someone else’s gambling, these services also support family members and friends.