Gambling Help WA is a division of Centrecare. It is a not-for-profit organisation delivering a wide range of services from office locations in Perth, Mirrabooka, Cannington, Joondalup and Kalgoorlie. All counselling staff are experienced professionals with qualifications in psychology, social work or other social science disciplines.

The Problem Gambling Helpline is a 24 hour confidential telephone counselling and referral service. Calls can be made by anyone who would like to know about gambling related problems and how to deal with them. The Problem Gambling Helpline can also help arrange free professional face to face counselling for those callers who are interested in this option.

Contact Gambling Help WA or the Problem Gambling Helpline

• Gambling Help WA, +61 8 9325 5133 (during business hours) or visit the Gambling Help WA website
• Problem Gambling Helpline, 1800 622 112 (24 hour service)

It is important to remember that Gambling Help WA and the Problem Gambling Helpline will not judge you or discriminate against you. Their role is to support you to better understand your gambling behaviour and to provide helpful, practical advice to address any current difficulties that you may be experiencing.

What to Expect from Counselling

Excessive gambling affects your whole life, not just your finances. If you know that you have a problem with gambling, you probably already know that you need to change your gambling behaviour. On the other hand, it can be difficult to fully comprehend how gambling has become such a problem.

For this reason, it can be useful to talk to a counsellor who is aware of problem gambling issues and who is committed to supporting you with your decision to alter your relationship with gambling. The counsellor can help clarify your reasons for wanting to gamble and your reasons for wanting to give it up.

A counsellor will work with you to put strategies in place that will help you reach your goal and reduce the risk of returning to gambling. A financial counsellor can also help you sort out your money management and help you devise a plan to repay your debts.

After sorting out the gambling and financial problems, you may then choose to turn your attention to improving your relationships and quality of life. At this time, and only with your full consent, the counsellor may seek to involve your partner, or other relevant friends or family members in some counselling sessions. While you may never find out exactly why you developed a gambling problem, there may be some parts of your life that need to be addressed if you are to maintain the goals that you set for your gambling.