How can I keep myself and my family safe?
If you feel threatened or unsafe due to another person’s gambling, or you’re concerned about the welfare of your family or children, support is available.
Your financial safety is one thing. Your physical and emotional safety is another. Talk to a counsellor, have a safety plan in place, and call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.
Remember, gambling can be linked to violence and self-harm
In Australia, gambling problems are twice as common among men as they are among women, and they can eat away at trust and increase tension and conflict. Financial distress is a big factor in intimate partner violence and self-harm. Imposing financial strategies – like assuming control of family finances and resources – may increase the risk of intimate partner violence.*
* Hing N, O’Mullan C, Nuske E, Breen H, Mainey L, Taylor A, … Rawat V. (2020) The relationship between gambling and intimate partner violence against women (Research report, 21/2020), ANROWS, Sydney.
Act right now if you don’t feel safe
If you’re worried for yourself or concerned about the welfare of children affected by someone else’s gambling, you do have options – from counselling and temporary accommodation to Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs).
- Women can call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63.
- Men experiencing domestic and family violence can contact MensLine Australia or 1800RESPECT.
- In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
The link between gambling and suicide
People who have issues with gambling are at greater risk of self-harm and suicide than the general population. Heavy financial losses are likely to be one of the most significant triggers of suicide among gamblers with a problem.*
If you think your loved one is at risk of hurting themself, call Triple Zero (000) or your local community mental health crisis team.
* Wardle H, Dymond S, John A and McManus S (2019) Problem gambling and suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-harm in England: evidence from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007. Commissioned by the NSW Responsible Gambling Fund.
I’d prefer an Aboriginal service
As an Aboriginal person, you can get support anywhere in urban or regional NSW through Warruwi Gambling Help.
I need support in my own language
Support is available in over 40 community languages, including中文 (Mandarin and Cantonese), Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese), عربى(Arabic) and Italiano (Italian).
