Gambling should be entertainment, not a way to make money — and for most people it stays that way. But for some, it stops being fun and starts causing harm. This page explains how to keep gambling under control, how to spot the warning signs, what tools are available to help, and where New Zealanders can get free, confidential support. If you or someone in your whānau needs help right now, call the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 or text 8006.
Gambling and the law in New Zealand (18+)
Gambling in New Zealand is restricted to adults aged 18 and over. Every operator we cover, and every reader we write for, must meet that age requirement. Beyond age, the golden rule is simple: only ever gamble with money you can afford to lose, and never chase losses with money meant for rent, food, bills or family. If gambling is affecting those things, it has stopped being a leisure activity.
Signs of problem gambling
Problem gambling can build slowly, which makes it easy to miss. Common warning signs include:
- spending more money or time gambling than you intended, or than you can afford;
- chasing losses — betting more to try to win back what you have lost;
- borrowing money, selling things or falling behind on bills to keep gambling;
- lying to family or friends about how much you gamble;
- feeling anxious, guilty or irritable when you are not gambling, or when you try to cut back;
- gambling to escape stress, boredom, loneliness or low mood;
- neglecting work, study, relationships or responsibilities because of gambling; and
- feeling unable to stop, even when you want to.
If several of these sound familiar — for you or someone you know — it is worth reaching out for support. Recognising it early makes it far easier to turn things around.
Self-help tools you can use right now
Most reputable gambling sites offer built-in tools designed to help you stay in control. Using them is a sign of good judgement, not weakness. The main ones to look for are:
- Deposit limits — cap how much you can deposit per day, week or month, so your spending cannot quietly creep up.
- Loss limits — set a ceiling on how much you can lose over a period, regardless of how much you deposit.
- Time limits — restrict how long you can stay logged in during a session.
- Reality checks — pop-up reminders that tell you how long you have been playing and how much you have spent, so time does not slip away.
- Time-outs — a short cooling-off break (for example a few days or weeks) where your account is locked.
- Self-exclusion — a longer or permanent block that stops you from accessing your account.
A practical tip: set your deposit and loss limits before you start playing, when your judgement is clearest — not in the heat of a losing session. Set them low enough that they would actually stop you.
How to self-exclude at offshore sites
Because the casinos and betting sites many Kiwis use are licensed offshore, self-exclusion usually works at the individual operator level rather than through a single national scheme. To self-exclude at an offshore site, look in the "Responsible Gambling", "Account" or "Settings" area for a self-exclusion or account-closure option, choose the length you want (from a set cooling-off period up to permanent), and confirm. If you cannot find the option, contact the operator's support team directly and ask them to exclude you — a well-run site will action this promptly. Because offshore self-exclusion is per-operator, you may need to repeat it at each site you use. If you are struggling to self-exclude, the support services below can help you take back control, and you can also use device-level blocking software to restrict access to gambling websites across the board.
New Zealand support services
Help in New Zealand is free, confidential and available whether you are worried about your own gambling or someone else's.
- Gambling Helpline New Zealand — call 0800 654 655 or text 8006, free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained counsellors offer immediate support, advice and referrals, and there are dedicated lines for specific communities.
- Problem Gambling Foundation — free face-to-face and online counselling, plus support for family and whānau, at pgf.nz.
- Safer Gambling Aotearoa — support and resources to help people gamble more safely and to reduce gambling harm.
- Ministry of Health gambling harm services — the Ministry of Health funds a national network of free intervention, counselling and public-health services for gambling harm across New Zealand.
If you are in immediate crisis or feel unsafe, call or text 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor, or dial 111 in an emergency.
Advice for family and whānau
Gambling harm rarely affects just one person — it ripples out to partners, children, parents and friends. If someone you care about is gambling in a way that worries you, you do not have to manage it alone. Try to talk about it calmly and without judgement, focusing on the impact you have noticed rather than on blame. Avoid lending money or covering gambling debts, as this can unintentionally keep the cycle going. Protect your own finances and wellbeing, and encourage the person to contact the Gambling Helpline. Importantly, the support services above help families and whānau directly — you can call on your own behalf, even if the person gambling is not ready to seek help yet.
A note on winnings and tax
In New Zealand, casual gambling winnings are not taxed. But it is important to be clear-eyed about what that does and does not mean: not being taxed does not make gambling a smart way to earn money. The maths is built to favour the house over time, and treating gambling as income is one of the fastest routes to harm. Gamble for entertainment, budget for it like any other leisure spend, and expect that money to be gone — anything you win back is a bonus, not a plan.
Keep it fun
If gambling has stopped being enjoyable, take a break. Set your limits, use the tools, and reach out early if you need to. Support is always available in New Zealand on 0800 654 655 or by texting 8006.