Gambling

You are not alone. We are here to help. There is support available if you think your gambling may be causing harm to you or your loved ones.
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Need help now?

  • Call 000 if you’re in immediate danger
  • Speak to a free, confidential Gambling Help counsellor online at gamblinghelp.org.au or by calling 1800 858 858
  • Call Lifeline for 24/7 crisis support on 13 11 14 or SMS 0477 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Signs that gambling may be harmful

Loss chasing

Trying to recoup losses through increased gambling.

Time of day

Gambling while at work, late at night, or early in the morning.

Hardship

Continuing to gamble while in financial hardship.

Spend increasing

The amount and frequency of gambling is growing over time.

What's the impact of gambling harm?

The Australian Institute of Family Studies defines gambling harm as “any negative consequence experienced by an individual or members of their social network because of participation in gambling”.

 

When out of control, gambling may result in:

  • Harm to your relationships
  • Harm to your mental health
  • Harm to your ability to work or study
  • Struggling to manage your financial situation.

Help to control your gambling spend

Use Westpac's Gambling Block to prevent transactions on credit cards or debit cards made at merchants who are classified as "betting/casino gambling".

 

The block can be activated by the primary cardholder in the Westpac App using a 2-step process, or in Online Banking, or by calling our Customer Care Team on 132 032.

Sign in

To apply the Gambling Block

  1. Sign in to your Online Banking or Mobile App
  2. Select Gambling Block in the Card Services menu

Switch on

Select the cards you wish to activate the block on. The block can also be disabled this way noting it may take two business days to be lifted.

More on Gambling Block

What else can I do if my gambling is becoming harmful?

There are some quick changes that you can make to help you protect your finances if gambling spend is getting out of control. These can be done online or you can phone our Customer Care team on 132 032 if you'd like some help.

Adjust limits

There are some different ways you can apply limits to your spending or payments for online banking and debit cards.

Limit ATM withdrawals

You can put a limit on the amount of cash you can withdraw at an ATM.

Keep money separate

Keep money for savings or bills in separate accounts.

How we can help if you are experiencing harmful gambling

It can be hard to take steps to reduce harmful gambling. You can talk to our Priority Assist team securely and confidentially about your situation and we will work with you to implement available support. Call Priority Assist on 1800 063 509.

Talk to us about hardship support

We have a range of solutions, such as varying loan repayments to give you time and space until you are safe and able to discuss long-term plans.

Financial hardship

Cancel redraw

Consider limiting access to cash by cancelling any redraw facility on your home loan.

Protect joint funds

Make joint accounts “all to sign” so money cannot be taken from the account without everyone’s approval.

Support beyond banking

Gambling Help Online

Gambling Help Online is an organisation that provides support to anyone affected by gambling. Speak to a free, anonymous Gambling Help counsellor online.

National Debt Helpline

If you’re worried about your financial situation, National Debt Helpline (NDH) offers free, independent, confidential financial counselling to help assess and manage your situation.

Register with BetStop

BetStop - the National Self-Exclusion Register™ is a safe and free Australian Government initiative to block yourself from all licensed Australian online and phone gambling providers.

Easy English guides

This Easy English guide explains how to get support if you are experiencing gambling harm.

Find out more

Financial hardship

Have you missed a payment or worried you can't pay?

Financial abuse

Financial abuse can happen to anyone at anytime.

Gambling Block

Westpac has expanded it's digital gambling block to help more people.

Things you should know

Westpac's approach to providing extra care for customers in vulnerable circumstances is guided by the Australian Banking Association's Banking Code of Practice. Links to the relevant industry guidelines are below.

Preventing and responding to family and domestic violence

Preventing and responding to financial abuse (including elder financial abuse)

Responding to requests from a POA or court-appointed administrator

Banks' financial difficulty programs