Gambling - financial issues

Many people who stop gambling take a lot of trouble to get their finances under control. Have someone you trust help you with money management, and professional financial advice may be helpful.

Financial counselling is available to support people affected by gambling-related harm, by helping to address their financial problems, manage debt and navigate out of financial crisis. Counsellors can provide direct case work or one-on-one intensive support, including the provision of information, advocacy and/or negotiation; referrals to other services; community education; and networking/liaison with relevant service providers.

Money management suggestions

It will help to limit your access to money. General suggestions include:

• Have someone trusted to help you with your day-to-day money management.
• Only carry a limited amount of money and avoid carrying bank or credit cards.
• Arrange with your bank to reduce your daily cash withdrawal limit from ATMs.
• Contact your bank to remove cash withdrawals on your credit card, and/or block gambling transactions on your credit and debit cards
• Cancel bank and credit cards or give them to someone you trust.
• Consider having two people as signatories on your bank accounts.
• Tell family and friends about your current situation and ask them not to lend you money.
• Pay bills by direct debit or cheque on the day you are paid or if possible, arrange for your payroll to make important payments like rent or mortgage.
• If dealing with other people’s money tempts you, avoid jobs where you handle cash.
• Avoid keeping large sums of money in the house.
• Consider paying some bills in advance or make regular payments towards water, gas and electricity bills.
• Consider something you would really enjoy and regularly put money away for it.
• 60% of Gambler’s Help clients report an improvement in their financial situation after financial counselling.
• Find out more about Financial counselling.

Reduce your access to cash

Most people experiencing significant harm from gambling find it difficult to stop if they have cash in their pocket and the club, TAB or casino is open. You must limit your access to cash. Suggestions include:

• Don’t keep large sums of cash in the house.
• Carry only enough cash for the day’s expenses.
• Use teller machines to provide limited amounts of cash per week.
• Ensure eftpos cards have no pin numbers, so they can’t be used at a gaming venue.
• Make new plans to control cash flow when there is a change, such as a holiday or a new job.

Protect your assets

Protect your property and assets. Suggestions include:

• Transfer important assets, such as titles of property and cars, into your partner’s name or into the name of someone who you trust.
• Talk to a solicitor about placing a caveat on your property. As long as the caveat is in place, it will be more difficult for you to use your house as collateral to borrow money for gambling.
• Consider putting a ‘no more credit’ notation on your credit record. A financial counsellor can help you with this.
• Seek professional legal advice. Your local community health or legal centre may be able to help you.

Debt repayments

Make plans to repay your debts. Suggestions include:

• Seek advice from a financial counsellor. These professionals are experts in credit law and debt collection practice.
• Negotiate realistic repayment instalments with creditors.
• Draw up a weekly household budget and strictly allocate a portion of income for debt repayment.

Bankruptcy and gambling

If your debt is insurmountable, voluntary bankruptcy may be the best option. However, this is a serious step and should be considered only after professional advice.

Gambler's Help

Financial counsellors are available through Gambler’s Help, which supports people experiencing harm from gambling, and their family and friends.

All Gambler's Help services are 100% free.

Call now for free, professional and confidential support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Tel: 1800 858 858.

Where to get help

• Gambler’s Help Tel. 1800 858 858, TTY 1800 777 706 – 24-hour telephone counselling service
• Gambler’s Help Youthline Tel. 1800 262 376 24-hour telephone counselling service for people under 25.
• Your GP (doctor) or other health professional
• Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation
• Gamblers Anonymous Tel. (03) 9696 6108 – support group for people with a gambling problem
• Lifeline Tel. 13 11 14
• SuicideLine Victoria Tel. 1300 651 251