Gambling awareness for seniors

Gambling involves risking money or valuables on events determined by chance, such as Lotto, scratchies, pokies, and sports betting.

While common in Australia, gambling can cause significant harm, affecting finances, relationships, and mental health. Australians lose $25 billion annually on gambling, with NSW having one gaming machine for every 88 people.

Myths like the "Gambler's Fallacy" fuel harmful behaviours, but support is available.

GambleAware Counselling and Financial Counselling Service

GambleAware Central Sydney offers free and confidential gambling counselling to anyone experiencing gambling harm, including affected others of someone who gambles. Our face-to-face delivery locations are in Belmore, Camperdown and Lewisham. We also offer video and phone appointments. 

GambleAware Central Sydney Intake: 1800 482 482

Central Sydney GambleAware Email: psychology.gtc@sydney.edu.au

Their clinical and admin staff speak Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Hebrew, Hindi, Hokkien, Marathi, Nepali, Tagalog, Tamil, Pilipino and Vietnamese. 

If you would like to speak to a counsellor in a language other than English, you can call the GambleAware Multicultural Service on 1800 856 800.

GambleAware Helpline - 1800 858 858

The GambleAware Helpline is a 24/7 support service which offers education, resources and tips on how to gamble safely, as well as providing confidential advice and referrals to support services. 

National Debt Helpline

Not sure what to do with your debts? Get back on track with free financial counselling. Call 1800 007 007 or visit: ndh.org.au

For more information about gambling harm minimisation please click here

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Page last updated: 02 Sep 2025