Gambling harm isn’t just about losing money. It can affect how you feel.
T his summer, having gone five years without WiFi in my apartment, I took another radical step: I got rid of my phone. Actually, a friend got rid of it for me. And by “friend” I mean a. When I was a kid, one of my favorite games was The Game of Life. If you were a kid in the 80s, you probably played it too. You gave the spinner a whirl, drove your little plastic car around, and “lived” life – picking career or college, getting married, having kids, buying insurance, upgrading your house, etc.
We know it can be hard but talking about it means you can start to feel better.
Here are some real life stories of people who opened up and talked about the harm they were experiencing and got the support they needed. Now they share their story with you.
Lachlan's story
“Once I started to open up to people, I was amazed with the amount of support I had.” – Lachlan describes how he was worried to tell people about his gambling because of their reactions but once he opened up he was amazed at the amount of support he got.
View video transcriptBayu's story
“I opened up to a friend about my gambling. The compassion and receptiveness she showed me ignited me to change.” Uni Student, Bayu, shares how talking helped him on the path to recovery.
View video transcriptMario's story
“I’m a lot happier. It was the best thing I ever did.” – Mario, eight years of not gambling on sport, now calls himself a proper tradie and business owner.
View video transcriptKen's story
“Find somebody you love, that you trust, and sit them down and tell them. I should’ve done it years ago.” Former Police Sergeant, Ken, describes how lucky he was to have a supportive family
View video transcriptLynda's story
“It was hard for me to tell him, but when I did, he was so supportive that it made it easy for me.” Lynda describes how supportive her eldest son was by holding her hand while she called Gambler’s Help.
View video transcriptLynda talks about her counselling experience
“The counsellors have your back and they made me feel worthy”. Lynda describes how seeing a counsellor helped keep her on track.
View video transcript
Anna's story
'Having the support of others was essential and I wouldn’t have done it without them”. Anna lost 10 years of her life to the pokies and now shares her story of hope.
View video transcriptSunenna’s Story
“You’re not alone and help is available.” Sunenna says many people think their story is unique, but there are lots of people fighting similar battles.
View video transcriptChandana's story
“You don’t need to keep it to yourself.” Chandana was shocked to find out about her partner’s gambling. She says that without the help of others, she could never have rebounded so quickly.
View video trancriptGambling harm podcast: Inspiring stories of hope and recovery
There are many ways to seek professional and anonymous help for your own, or your loved one's problems with gambling.
If you need immediate help, please call Gambler's Help on 1800 858 858 or Gambler's Help Youthline on 1800 262 376 (from within Australia only). This service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is free and confidential.
Gambling harm isn’t just about losing money. It can affect how you feel.
We know it can be hard but talking about it means you can start to feel better.
Here are some real life stories of people who opened up and talked about the harm they were experiencing and got the support they needed. Now they share their story with you.
Lachlan's story
“Once I started to open up to people, I was amazed with the amount of support I had.” – Lachlan describes how he was worried to tell people about his gambling because of their reactions but once he opened up he was amazed at the amount of support he got.
View video transcriptBayu's story
“I opened up to a friend about my gambling. The compassion and receptiveness she showed me ignited me to change.” Uni Student, Bayu, shares how talking helped him on the path to recovery.
View video transcriptMario's story
“I’m a lot happier. It was the best thing I ever did.” – Mario, eight years of not gambling on sport, now calls himself a proper tradie and business owner.
View video transcriptKen's story
“Find somebody you love, that you trust, and sit them down and tell them. I should’ve done it years ago.” Former Police Sergeant, Ken, describes how lucky he was to have a supportive family
View video transcriptLynda's story
“It was hard for me to tell him, but when I did, he was so supportive that it made it easy for me.” Lynda describes how supportive her eldest son was by holding her hand while she called Gambler’s Help.
View video transcriptLynda talks about her counselling experience
“The counsellors have your back and they made me feel worthy”. Lynda describes how seeing a counsellor helped keep her on track.
View video transcript
Anna's story
'Having the support of others was essential and I wouldn’t have done it without them”. Anna lost 10 years of her life to the pokies and now shares her story of hope.
View video transcriptSunenna’s Story
Life Boring Without Gambling Advice
“You’re not alone and help is available.” Sunenna says many people think their story is unique, but there are lots of people fighting similar battles.
View video transcriptChandana's story
Life Boring Without Gambling Winnings
“You don’t need to keep it to yourself.” Chandana was shocked to find out about her partner’s gambling. She says that without the help of others, she could never have rebounded so quickly.
Life Boring Without Gambling
View video trancriptGambling harm podcast: Inspiring stories of hope and recovery
Life Boring Without Gambling Losses
There are many ways to seek professional and anonymous help for your own, or your loved one's problems with gambling.
Life Boring Without Gambling Addiction
If you need immediate help, please call Gambler's Help on 1800 858 858 or Gambler's Help Youthline on 1800 262 376 (from within Australia only). This service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is free and confidential.