Every year, our Gambler’s Help Program supports hundreds of people experiencing harm from gambling. We also raise awareness and educate about the risks of this often misunderstood, highly addictive behaviour. This is Lisa’s story.
Research shows that the total cost of gambling to Victoria in 2022-23 was estimated to be $14.1 billion. This cost was mostly attributable to financial, emotional and psychological harm and impacts on relationships and family.
How a promising new pastime became a major stress
When Lisa first saw people playing electronic gaming machines (the pokies) it looked easy, social and fun. They also seemed to be making easy money.
“One day I was on my way to the post office to pay my gas bill, and I was walking past an RSL. I went in, and on my first go I won $50,” remembers Lisa.
The place she visited was social, comfortable and highly stimulating, and the pokies seemed like an easy way to make money. Soon Lisa was spending most of her free time in gambling venues. She had some wins, but over time the losses became so big that her finances, relationships and health and wellbeing started to suffer.
Lisa became unable to pay bills and rent on time. Soon she couldn’t afford simple pleasures like coffee with a friend, and experienced stress from living with no money. This financial pressure led her to gamble more.
“I felt like I was stuck on a merry-go-round of desperation and excitement and couldn’t get off. I knew I had to try and fight it.”
In 2023, Lisa called Gambler’s Help at Holstep Health (then Banyule Community Health). She connected with one of our caring Therapeutic Counsellors, Jane. With Jane’s support, Lisa has been able to stop gambling altogether.
Responsive care from a compassionate team
Lisa’s Counsellor, Jane, is one of seven in our Gambler’s Help team.
“My aim is to support people to be more flexible in how they respond to life’s challenges and develop healthy coping strategies,” says Jane.
“There’s a lot of shame and stigma around gambling. It’s highly addictive, which is often not well understood. Relapsing or returning to it is common. It can take years to overcome, so we have a big focus on self-compassion too.”
Our team are experienced in a range of therapy types. They support people face to face, online or over the phone. And because they’re a diverse and highly skilled group, there is flexibility to tailor care to each client and their unique personality, lived experience and needs.
Gambler’s Help builds connections with individuals and communities through therapeutic and financial counselling and support groups. We deliver education programs about gambling harm and financial literacy in places like schools, workplaces and sports clubs.
Our Venue Support Program trains people who work in the places people gamble to identify patrons showing signs of gambling harm and other issues.
A positive experience for people and care teams
By giving Lisa a place to comfortably share her experiences, free from judgement, worry or shame, Lisa was able to develop self-compassion, and tools for recognising and safely managing gambling urges in healthier ways.
“Jane is so understanding and patient. She doesn’t ever say that I’ve disappointed her, even when I’ve had lapses and gone back. Before this place, I felt like I was out on my own. I don’t feel like that anymore,” says Lisa.
“It’s wonderful to see how people transition. I describe it as a restoration rather than a recovery – they come through this a better version of themselves because they’ve learned how to feel their emotions rather than distract themselves,” says Jane. “It’s great to see people grow through that experience, and to see people take their lives back.”
Lisa is one of more than 500 people we supported with more than 2,200 therapeutic counselling sessions at Gambler’s Help this year. Lisa also attends one of our gambling harm recovery groups.
Lisa hasn’t gambled for more than seven months, and says it feels fantastic to have broken free. “I can hardly believe I’ve managed to stop; I actually have to pinch myself,” says Lisa. I have money for myself now, and even though I can’t get back the time I spent gambling, I am enjoying the time that I have now.”
Program impact in 2024-2025
| 512 people supported through | 2,282 counselling sessions |
| 60+ people connected through | 1,400 support calls |
| 257 people received | 1,059 financial counselling sessions to manage stress and finances. |
| 175 training sessions delivered | 54 gambling venues |
| 3,303 students in | 20 schools learned about gambling harm |
| 128 speaker sessions delivered by | 12 lived experience speakers |
| 88 people | joined recovery groups, gaining skills and support for ongoing wellbeing. |
Image: Kylie and Jane, Gambler’s Help counsellors.
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