Gambling is entertainment with a price tag, not a way to make money. Every game on every site we review has a house edge — over time, the site wins. The players who stay safe are the ones who decide the price before they play and stop when it's spent. This page covers the free help available in New Zealand and the practical tools that keep play under control.
Get help now — free, confidential, 24/7
- Gambling Helpline NZ: 0800 654 655, or free text 8006 — 24 hours, 7 days. Specialist lines for Māori (0800 654 656), Pasifika (0800 654 657), and youth (0800 654 659).
- Problem Gambling Foundation (PGF Services): pgf.nz — 0800 664 262. Free face-to-face and online counselling nationwide, including support for family members.
- Salvation Army Oasis: free gambling-harm counselling in main centres.
- Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 — support in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, Hindi and English.
All of these services are funded by the problem gambling levy — you will never be charged.
Practical tools that actually work
Deposit limits
Set a weekly deposit limit inside your casino or betting account before your first deposit, while you're thinking clearly. A limit you set during a losing streak is usually too high. Most sites we review let you lower a limit instantly, while raising it takes 24–48 hours — that delay is the point.
Self-exclusion
Every reputable offshore site offers self-exclusion — from 24-hour cool-offs to permanent closure. Email support, state the period you want, and the account must be closed for that period. Because offshore sites don't share a national register, exclude yourself from every site you hold an account with.
Blocking software
Gamban and BetBlocker block thousands of gambling sites at device level — BetBlocker is completely free. This closes the gap self-exclusion leaves: new sites you haven't excluded from yet.
The basics that beat everything else
- Decide your loss amount before you open the site. When it's gone, you're done.
- Never gamble borrowed money — no credit cards, no loans, no "borrowing" from bills.
- Don't chase losses. Today's loss doesn't make tomorrow's win more likely.
- Set a timer. Session length predicts overspend better than almost anything else.
- Never gamble when upset, intoxicated, or to escape stress.
Warning signs — check yourself honestly
- Spending more money or time than you planned, repeatedly
- Hiding gambling from people close to you
- Chasing losses with bigger bets
- Gambling instead of paying bills, or borrowing to gamble
- Feeling anxious or irritable when you can't gamble
Two or more of these and it's time to talk to someone — 0800 654 655. Calling early is a small step; waiting makes it bigger.
Worried about someone else?
Family and whānau are affected by gambling harm long before the gambler asks for help. PGF Services and the Gambling Helpline both offer free support for family members — you don't need the gambler's permission or participation to get advice on protecting household finances and having the conversation.
Under 18?
Every site reviewed on Akaroa Gallery is strictly R18. Underage gambling is illegal and the operators we list verify age at withdrawal — underage accounts are closed and winnings voided.
Responsible gambling FAQs
Is help for gambling problems free in New Zealand?
Yes. The Gambling Helpline (0800 654 655), PGF Services (0800 664 262), and Salvation Army Oasis are all free and confidential, funded by the problem gambling levy.
How do I self-exclude from an online casino?
Contact support and request self-exclusion for a set period or permanently. Do it at every site you hold an account with, and add BetBlocker or Gamban to cover sites you haven't joined yet.
What are the warning signs of gambling harm?
Overspending, chasing losses, hiding gambling, borrowing to gamble, gambling to cope with stress. Two or more — call 0800 654 655.