Lolly PoppinsFree, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also free-text 8006 or web-chat at gamblinghelpline.co.nz.
Our commitment
Lolly Poppins only ever recommends 18+ gambling as adult entertainment. We show wagering requirements, payout realities and the odds honestly, we never present gambling as income, and we put responsible-gambling information on every page. Everyone who plays should do so within limits they set in advance.
Know the warning signs
Gambling may be becoming a problem if you (or someone you know):
- Spend more money or time gambling than you can afford
- Chase losses — betting more to win back what you've lost
- Borrow money, sell things, or fall behind on bills to gamble
- Feel anxious, guilty or irritable about your gambling
- Gamble to escape stress, boredom or low mood
- Lie to family or friends about how much you gamble
- Neglect work, study, family or your own wellbeing
If several of these sound familiar, please reach out to one of the free services below — there is no cost and no judgement.
Stay in control
A few habits keep gambling safe and fun:
- Set a budget before you play and treat it as the price of entertainment — money you're comfortable losing.
- Use deposit, loss and time limits. Licensed and reputable sites let you cap daily, weekly or monthly deposits — set them low and lock them in.
- Take reality checks and cool-off breaks to pause play at regular intervals.
- Never chase losses or gamble to solve money problems — the odds always favour the house over time.
- Don't gamble under the influence of alcohol or when upset.
- Keep it social and time-boxed — balance it with other activities.
Self-exclusion & blocking tools
If you need a firmer break, you can:
- Self-exclude from online accounts and from participating venues — most operators offer time-outs (24 hours to several weeks) and long-term self-exclusion.
- Use bank gambling blocks — many NZ banks let you switch off gambling transactions in their app.
- Install blocking software such as Gamban or GamBlock to prevent access to gambling sites on your devices.
- Contact the Department of Internal Affairs for information on New Zealand's gambling-harm-minimisation measures.
Who is allowed to gamble?
You must be 18 or older to gamble online, and 20 or older to enter a licensed New Zealand casino venue. Keep accounts, cards and devices away from anyone under age, and never let a minor gamble on your account.
Free support services in New Zealand
- Gambling Helpline NZ — 0800 654 655 (24/7), text 8006, or gamblinghelpline.co.nz
- Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand (PGF) — free counselling: pgf.nz
- Safer Gambling Aotearoa — safergambling.org.nz
- Salvation Army Oasis — gambling-harm support services nationwide
- Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak with a trained counsellor
- Lifeline Aotearoa — 0800 543 354
Supporting someone else
Gambling harm affects whānau and friends too. The services above support family members as well as gamblers — you don't have to wait for the person gambling to ask for help before you reach out for advice and support.