Minimising Financial Loss

Practical ways to protect your money and regain control

When gambling starts to create money stress, it’s easy to feel like you’re stuck or that it’s too late to fix things. But the truth is, there are always steps you can take to slow the losses, protect what you have, and start rebuilding.

You don’t have to do it on your own — free financial counsellors can help you take control of your money and plan your next steps safely.

Understanding where the money goes

The first step in reducing financial loss is getting a clear picture of what’s happening. That can feel confronting, but it’s a powerful way to take back control.

Try:

• Writing down what you spend on gambling each week or month.
• Listing regular bills, loans, and essential expenses.
• Checking for direct debits or subscriptions that you might have forgotten about.

Once you can see it on paper, you can start planning for change. Afinancial counsellorcan help you do this in a safe, supportive way — without judgment.

Setting limits that work for you

Even small changes can make a big difference. Try to keep an eye on what you spend and set simple limits that feel realistic.

You might:

• Decide how much you can safely afford to spend — and stick to it.
• Take breaks or use banking tools to help you stay in control.
• Plan before gambling and ask yourself, “Can I really afford this?”

Afinancial counsellorcan help you find easy, practical ways to manage your money and reduce financial stress.

Protecting yourself from debt

If you’ve been using credit cards, loans, or buy-now-pay-later to fund gambling, it can spiral quickly.
Here’s what can help:

• Get help dealing with creditors. A financial counsellor can guide you through your options and, with your permission, speak to lenders for you to arrange things like reduced payments or a short break from repayments.
• Check your credit report. A financial counsellor can help you review your credit reports and make a plan to get out of debt.
• Avoid high-interest loans. Quick fixes often create bigger problems later.

These steps help protect your money while you work on the deeper issues behind gambling.

Rebuilding after losses

Even if you’ve lost a lot, recovery is possible. It starts with small, steady actions:

• Make a plan for essential expenses first (rent, food, utilities).
• Start saving, even if it’s only $5 or $10 a week — it builds hope and confidence.
• Celebrate progress. Paying one bill on time or reducing a debt is a real win.
• Get emotional support alongside financial help — the two work best together.

Financial counsellors can walk beside you through this process, helping you rebuild your finances and your sense of control step by step.

Speak to someone today

It’s never too late to take back control of your money. Free, confidential financial counselling and specialist counselling support is available, by calling Better Place Australia on 1800 639 523.