Gambling should never interfere with your everyday expenses, savings or your family's future. Free, confidential help is available to help you budget, manage debt and set hard caps on what you spend on play.
Keep the money you rely on out of reach of play. Separate the account that pays your rent, food, and school fees from any account used for gambling. Also, ask your bank about blocking gambling transactions on your card.
Debt from gambling can feel impossible to talk about. It is not. Listing what you owe, agreeing realistic repayments, and putting away even a small amount each month are ordinary steps that a counsellor can walk through with you.
Every conversation with our counsellors is free and confidential. You do not need to have stopped gambling, and you will not be judged for what you have already spent.
A budget is simply a plan for money you have already earned. These steps are a starting point - a counsellor can help you adapt them to your situation.
Write down every source of income for the month, including occasional earnings.
List what must be paid first: rent, food, transport, school fees, utilities.
Set aside money for debts you are repaying before anything discretionary.
Whatever remains is your limit for entertainment - including any gambling.
Use deposit and loss limits with licensed operators so the cap is enforced.
Talk to a counsellor for free, set hard limits with licensed operators, or step away entirely with national self-exclusion.