Responsible Gaming
Gambling should always be a form of entertainment — never a way to earn money, pay debts, or solve financial problems. The odds are designed to favour the house over time, and no betting system can guarantee a profit. If you choose to gamble, do so only with money you can afford to lose, and never chase losses. Keep it fun, set limits, and treat it as a cost of entertainment, just like buying a movie ticket.
Age Verification
You must be at least 18 years old to gamble in New Zealand. However, some forms of gambling — such as casino gambling — require you to be 20 years or older. Always check the legal age for the specific gambling activity you are considering. Underage gambling is illegal and can lead to serious long-term harm. We strongly encourage parents and guardians to use parental controls and to monitor online activity.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can develop gradually. If you recognise any of the following signs in yourself or someone you care about, it may be time to seek help:
- Chasing losses — returning to try to win back money you have lost.
- Hiding gambling activity from family or friends.
- Lying about how much time or money you spend gambling.
- Gambling with money meant for bills, rent, food, or other essentials.
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to gamble.
- Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to cut down or stop.
- Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, depression, or other problems.
- Neglecting work, study, or family responsibilities because of gambling.
- Needing to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same excitement.
- Continuing to gamble despite negative consequences to relationships or finances.
Self-Help Tools
Most reputable online betting sites offer practical tools to help you stay in control. We recommend using all of the following where available:
- Deposit limits — set a maximum amount you can deposit per day, week, or month.
- Loss limits — cap the amount you are willing to lose over a set period.
- Reality checks — periodic notifications that remind you how long you have been playing and how much you have spent.
- Time-out periods — take a short break from gambling for 24 hours, a week, or longer.
- Self-exclusion — block yourself from a particular site or app for a set period (usually 6 months to 5 years or permanent).
- Account history — review your complete gambling activity to identify patterns and overspending.
Support Organizations
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, please reach out to a trusted support service. Help is free, confidential, and available 24/7 in many cases.
New Zealand
- Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand (PGF) — Free, professional, and confidential counselling. Phone 0800 654 655 or visit www.pgf.nz
- Mapu Maia — Gambling harm support for Pacific communities in New Zealand. Phone 0800 21 22 11 or visit www.mapumaia.org.nz
- Te Rangihaeata Oranga — Gambling harm support for Māori. Phone 0800 654 655 and ask for Te Rangihaeata Oranga.
International
- UK: GamCare — www.gamcare.org.uk | GamStop — www.gamstop.co.uk
- Australia: Gambling Help Online — www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
- Canada: Responsible Gambling Council — www.responsiblegambling.org
- United States: National Council on Problem Gambling — www.ncpgambling.org
- Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) — www.bzga.de (search for “Glücksspielsucht”)
- Other countries: Please visit www.gamblingtherapy.org for a global directory of support services.
Seek Help Today
If gambling no longer feels like a choice, or if it is causing harm to you or your loved ones, please do not wait. You are not alone, and help is available right now. Call the New Zealand Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 (free, confidential, 24/7) or visit www.pgf.nz to speak to a trained counsellor. Taking that first step is an act of courage, not weakness.