Gambling Support

Freephone National Number (in New Zealand): 0800 53 00 00

The Salvation Army Oasis provides free and confidential support, education and counselling for those affected by gambling harm, as well as their whanau / family and others affected.

Our services are staffed by qualified counsellors with expertise in supporting people with gambling related problems. We also provide public health services i.e. policy development, supporting safe gambling environments, awareness raising and education, strengthening communities, etc.

Our integrated approach motivates and empowers people affected by gambling and associated problems to make positive choices for a healthy lifestyle.

If you are concerned about your own gambling or someone else’s, then please contact us today.

What are the signs of harmful gambling?

• losing more money than you can afford
• lying about where the money is going
• borrowing money to gamble or pay debts
• using money meant for household bills and food to gamble
• craving a ‘high’ from your gambling
• being evasive about money or gambling

The Salvation Army Oasis aims to help you:

• understand underlying reasons contributing to harmful gambling
• stop or reduce the frequency of harmful gambling
• develop strategies to reduce harmful gambling behaviour
• tackle related issues that may also cause harm or damage
• have a productive, healthy life without harmful gambling 

Face-to-face counselling involves:

• crisis intervention
• comprehensive assessment
• ongoing counselling
• 'affected other’ counselling
• couples’ counselling
• and whanau / family therapy

Group participation involves:

• support groups
• education groups

Referrals:

We also make referrals to self-help groups (including Gamblers Anonymous) and specialist services who offer information and advice (including legal and budgeting advice) as well as crisis intervention (legal, financial, relationship and/or psychological).

Your expectations:

Our counsellors will make an appointment with you at the earliest available time. You can bring along a support person. In your client/counsellor relationship you may expect:

• courtesy and punctuality
• feedback from assessments
• participation in all areas of treatment
• professional advice
• Your confidentiality is assured with the only exceptions being:
• if your counsellor perceives a risk of harm to yourself and/or others
• if your counsellor consults with Addictions Services staff and supervisor/s on your case, whereby the utmost care will be exercised to conceal your identity from these consultants

The Salvation Army is committed to honouring the Treaty of Waitangi through ongoing consultation and development of practices which will demonstrate partnership in services, policy and delivery.

To download the Oasis poster click here.

To downlad the Oasis brochure click here.