Gambler's Help Southern – Reducing the harm caused by gambling
Gambler’s Help Southern, a program of BHN, provides free and confidential support to prevent and reduce the harm caused by gambling, helping individuals, families and the wider community to rebuild healthier lives.
Recent research highlights just how deeply gambling affects Australians. In 2022/23, the average household lost $3,045 to gambling, more than what was spent on essential utilities such as electricity and gas ($2,821).
Australians now lose a staggering $31.5 billion annually on gambling, more than any other country in the world, and more than is spent on alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs combined.
Young men aged 18 to 25 are among the most vulnerable. Tradespeople in particular are often targeted by aggressive advertising, influenced by peer pressure, and at risk of crossing from gaming into gambling. This makes them the fastest growing group experiencing gambling harm.
Against this backdrop, it is no surprise that 1146 people reached out to Gambler’s Help Southern in the 2024/25 financial year, receiving a total of 15,652 hours of support from our experienced team.
In addition to offering person-centred Therapeutic Counselling and Financial Counselling to clients, the Gamblers Help Southern team also works to raise awareness of gambling harm and supports through Community Engagement with diverse groups, and training for gaming venue staff to help create responsible gambling environments.
One client, Maria, shared a powerful story of transformation, showing how with the right support from Gambler’s Help Southern, it is possible to break free from gambling harm and rebuild a positive future.
Australians lose a staggering $31.5 billion annually on gambling with the average household losing $3,045 each year – that’s more than what was spent on essential utilities such as electricity and gas ($2,821).
Maria’s Story
Maria’s* gambling at Crown Casino had spiraled out of control, leaving her juggling 15 credit cards, two personal loans and joint debts with her husband, John. Although the total debt was not enormous, the gambling-driven financial strain and sheer number of accounts made her situation overwhelming. Realising she could not manage this alone, Maria turned to Gambler’s Help Southern’s Financial Counselling service for support.
After losing her job, Maria was encouraged to also connect with a Therapeutic Counsellor. With support from both her Financial and Therapeutic Counsellors, Maria was able to involve John, leading to couples counselling and stronger communication at home.
The Financial Counsellor negotiated with Maria’s 19 creditors, lodged complaints against unfair debt recovery actions and secured temporary relief while the couple focused on rebuilding stability. As Maria regained work, repayment plans were set up, and further legal advice was arranged to protect the family home when financial pressures escalated.
Ultimately, when Maria’s employer closed, she made the difficult but informed decision to enter voluntary bankruptcy. Throughout this journey, both Maria and John received ongoing financial and therapeutic support.
Maria and John benefited from the close collaboration between Gambler’s Help Southern’s Financial and Therapeutic Counsellors. The integrated support helped them navigate debt pressures, relationship challenges and legal protections while ensuring they were guided step-by-step through their recovery process.
*Client’s name has been changed.
