Gambling support — Gambling Help counselling and BetStop self-exclusion
You don't have to face this alone. We calmly guide you through the free 24-hour Gambling Help Online (1800 858 858), how to register with the national self-exclusion register BetStop, bank blocking features, and family support.
You are not alone — Australia's problem gambling support system
Problem gambling is not something caused by weak willpower — it is a health issue that can happen to anyone, and you can recover with professional support. Australia has a free, confidential support system. The key point of contact is Gambling Help Online (1800 858 858) — free 24-hour phone and online chat counselling, every day of the year, with interpreter connection available if English is difficult. On top of this, there is step-by-step support, from BetStop, the national self-exclusion register that legally blocks online betting, to free financial counselling (National Debt Helpline). Asking for help is itself the first step to recovery.
Self-check of the signs — a check, not a judgment
The following are not judgments but signs you can check for yourself — spending more than you planned and finding it hard to control your spending, chasing losses by continuing to bet to win back money you've lost, hiding your gambling or the amounts from family and friends or lying about it, and taking out loans or borrowing money to fund gambling. If you feel even one applies, use counselling as a conversation rather than a diagnosis. The earlier you act, the more options you have.
BetStop — how to register with the national self-exclusion register
BetStop is the Australian Government's National Self-Exclusion Register (operated by ACMA). Once you register, it is applied by law to every licensed online and phone betting operator in Australia, so your existing betting accounts are closed, and opening new accounts and receiving advertising and marketing are blocked. Registration is completely free, and you choose the period yourself, from a minimum of 3 months up to lifetime.
Register online, with a simple process
You register online on the official BetStop site (betstop.gov.au). The order is: enter basic details → verify your identity → choose the period → done, and you can finish it without complicated paperwork. Once registration is complete, operators apply the block automatically, so you don't need to contact each operator separately.
- Go to betstop.gov.au and enter basic details such as your name, date of birth, mobile number, and email
- Complete identity verification using your ID details
- Choose your self-exclusion period — from a minimum of 3 months up to lifetime, with the option to extend later
You cannot end it early during the period you choose. If that feels like a lot, you can start with 3 months and extend. For details such as the conditions for ending a lifetime registration, check the latest information on the official BetStop site.
What you need before registering, and who it's for
BetStop registration can only be done in your own name, and there is no cost. Preparing the items below lets you finish registration in one go. Check the latest standards, such as the specific ID requirements, on the official BetStop site.
- A mobile phone number and email address in your own name
- ID details for identity verification — driver licence, passport, etc. (check the specific requirements on the official BetStop site)
- Check how the balance in your betting accounts will be handled — operators close accounts after registration, so check the guidance about your balance
Family members cannot register on your behalf. However, family and friends can also get free counselling from Gambling Help Online (1800 858 858), so having family first get guidance on how to cope until the person is ready is a good start.
Four types of support by situation
Depending on your situation and needs, you can choose from or combine the support below. If you're not sure where to start, Gambling Help Online counselling will help you map out the whole path together, so it's the most straightforward first point of contact.
Phone 1800 858 858 (free, 24 hours) and online chat. Confidential, anonymous option available, interpreter connection supported. Not only you but also family and friends can get counselling.
National self-exclusion register. Applied by law to all licensed online and phone betting operators — account closure, blocking of new accounts, stopping of marketing. 3 months to lifetime, free.
Offline gambling such as casinos, pubs, and club pokies is self-excluded through separate programs by state and by venue. For example, in NSW it's guided through GambleAware NSW — check your state's official site.
National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007 — a free financial counsellor guides you through debt repayment plans, negotiating with creditors, and hardship applications.
Real-life safeguards checklist
These are real-life safeguards that work even better when used alongside counselling and self-exclusion. You don't have to do them all at once — start with what you can, one at a time.
- Turn on the gambling block feature in your banking app — most major banks offer it in their app, and it blocks gambling transactions at the card payment stage
- Restructure your finances — managing your salary account, limiting cash access, and so on can be designed together in free counselling with the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007)
- Tell someone you trust — support from someone close is an important factor in recovery, and you can even practise how to talk about it in counselling
- Also register with the self-exclusion program of the offline venues (casinos, pubs, clubs) you often visit — this is needed separately from BetStop
- Set up a regular counselling schedule — Gambling Help Online doesn't end with a one-off call; ongoing counselling and referrals to local services are available
Common difficulties and things to watch out for
These are difficulties commonly experienced during recovery and things it's good to know in advance. None of these items are a failure or your fault — they are a common part of the process, and there are ways to prepare for them.
- Blaming yourself for a 'willpower problem' — problem gambling is a health issue you can recover from with professional support. Rather than staying stuck in self-blame, connecting with counselling comes first
- The misconception that BetStop alone is enough — offline pokies and casinos are not blocked, so you need to check state self-exclusion programs separately
- Unlicensed overseas gambling sites — BetStop applies only to Australian licensed operators. Unlicensed sites have no consumer protections, so the harm can grow much larger
- Hiding it from family — trying to handle it alone because of face-saving or worry easily makes the problem worse. Family can get counselling separately too, so the path to getting support together is open
- Robbing Peter to pay Paul with debt, or taking out more loans — before taking out a new loan in a hurry, talk with the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) first. It's free and guides you through the options without pressure
Useful official links
- Gambling Help Online(opens in a new window)
Free 24-hour gambling counselling — phone 1800 858 858 and online chat, confidential, interpreter connection available
- BetStop — 국가 자기배제 등록부(opens in a new window)
National self-exclusion register — blocks all licensed online and phone betting, free registration from 3 months to lifetime
- National Debt Helpline(opens in a new window)
Free financial counselling 1800 007 007 — support with gambling-related debt repayment plans and hardship applications
- GambleAware NSW(opens in a new window)
NSW state government gambling support — local in-person counselling and offline (venue) self-exclusion program information
- Moneysmart(opens in a new window)
Australian Government financial information site — guidance on how gambling affects your finances and how to manage money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the counselling really free, and can I stay anonymous?▾
Yes. Gambling Help Online (1800 858 858) is free and available 24 hours a day, every day, and both phone and online chat are confidential. You can get support without giving your name, and if English is difficult you can ask to be connected with an interpreter. You can start comfortably, without worrying that anyone will find out you reached out for help.
Exactly what gets blocked when I register with BetStop?▾
Every licensed online and phone betting operator in Australia applies it by law — your existing betting accounts are closed, new accounts are blocked, and advertising and marketing to you stop. However, it does not apply to offline gambling such as casinos, pubs, and clubs, or to unlicensed overseas sites, so you need separate measures for those.
If I change my mind after registering, can I cancel?▾
During the self-exclusion period you choose, you cannot end it early. The minimum period is 3 months, and you can start with a shorter period and extend it later if needed. For details such as the conditions for ending a lifetime registration, check the latest information on the official BetStop site.
Does BetStop also block pub pokies and casinos?▾
No. BetStop is only for online and phone betting. Offline self-exclusion for casinos, pubs, and club pokies is run through separate programs by state and by venue. Check the process on your state's official gambling support site (for example, GambleAware NSW in NSW), or get guidance through Gambling Help Online counselling.
My English isn't good — can I get counselling in my own language?▾
Yes, you can. Gambling Help Online supports interpreter connection, so just ask for an interpreter when you contact them. You can also use a connection through the Australian Government's interpreting service, TIS National (131 450). You don't have to put off asking for help because of language — check the latest ways to use the service on the official site.
I'm struggling with a family member's gambling — can I get counselling even though it's not me?▾
Yes. Family and friends can also get free counselling from Gambling Help Online. Even if the person involved isn't ready yet, it helps a great deal for the family to first get guidance on how to cope and how to protect the household finances. It is confidential, without worries about losing face or gossip, and it is not run in a way that blames the family.
Where can I get help with debts caused by gambling?▾
You can speak with a free financial counsellor at the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007). They guide you through options such as setting up a repayment plan, negotiating with creditors, and applying for bank hardship (financial difficulty support), without any pressure. You can also find related information on the Australian Government's financial information site, Moneysmart.