Concerned about your gambling?

Talking about your gambling to a counsellor in a confidential environment can bring huge relief and be the first step towards taking back control of your life. The sooner you do it, the better for you and for those you care about who have been left feeling confused, hurting or even angry by your behaviour.

People can, and do, stop gambling. A supportive and professional counsellor can encourage and motivate you to take all the steps required to regain self control and direction in your life. Counselling can help a person to bring gambling under self control by helping people to:
  • recognise the extent of the problem
  • make a decision about the gambling behaviours
  • set a goal that is realistic yet challenging
  • explore strategies and a relapse management plan to keep you safe from the harm caused by gambling.

Counsellors are trained to help a person to identify barriers to change and to overcome these given time and space to do so.  People are not judged for their behaviour, they are invited to find the courage to speak about themselves, what they don't like about their life and how they want to change it.
At the Problem Gambling Foundation (PGF) our face-to-face counselling is free, professional and confidential. Counselling is available throughout New Zealand for individuals, couples, families and groups so you can get the help and support you need and it won't cost you anything.  We also offer counselling by telephone for people in remote areas or who are housebound.

We provide free professional counselling, advice and support in Korean, Cantonese, Mandarin, Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese at Asian Family Services. Mapu Maia is PGF's Pasifika service, providing a dedicated, culturally appropriate counselling and support service for Pacific families

PGF refers to and works with other mental health and allied professionals where appropriate, such as general practitioners, budget advisors, family counsellors, mental health agencies, alcohol and drug agencies and many others.

We work closely with prisons and probation services offering counselling and support for Corrections' clients both in person and in the community.