Where I Fit Get Help for Gambling Problem?
If betting don dey chop money wey suppose be for food, rent or school fees, or you no fit stop, find help now. Set limits or self-exclude for your bookmaker account. Then talk to free support service for your country. We list dem for dis page.
Signs say betting don dey turn problem
Betting don turn problem when e dey spoil your money, your work, your family or your mind. Check yourself well with dis list, and talk true to yourself.
- You dey bet money wey you need for food, rent, transport or school fees.
- You dey chase loss with bigger stake so you fit "collect am back".
- You dey borrow money, take loan or sell your things to bet.
- You dey hide betting from your family, or you dey lie about am.
- You dey restless or you dey vex when you try stop.
- You dey bet to run from stress, sadness or boredom.
If one or two of dis signs dey, na warning be dat. If e reach three or more, abeg find support now.
Tools wey fit help you stop or reduce betting
You fit use dis tools today, without talking to anybody. Dem dey inside di settings of every licensed bookmaker account.
| Tool | Wetin e dey do | E good for |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | E dey control how much you fit deposit every day, week or month | To keep your betting inside your budget |
| Time-out | E dey pause your account for one day, one week or one month | To cool down after you don lose |
| Self-exclusion | E dey block your account for months or years | To stop completely |
| Blocking app | E dey block betting websites and apps for your phone | To block all di sites at once |
Self-exclude from every account wey you get, no be only one. Delete betting apps, and off di promo SMS.
Where you fit get help for your country
We check dis services on 6 November 2026. Numbers fit change, so check di service website if di line no answer.
| Country | Service | Contact | Wetin dem dey offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | National Responsible Gambling Programme | Toll-free 0800 006 008, responsiblegambling.org.za | Free counselling and treatment for gambling problem |
| Nigeria | Gamble Alert | +234 916 295 7989, gamblealert.org | Counselling for gambling problem |
| Nigeria | Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI) | 0809 111 6264 (call or SMS), mentallyaware.org | Free emotional support, and dem go keep your matter secret |
| Kenya | Befrienders Kenya | +254 722 178 177 (call, SMS, WhatsApp) | Free emotional support, and dem go keep your matter secret |
| Kenya | one2one | 1190 (call or SMS), one2onekenya.org | Free information and counselling |
| Ghana | Gaming Commission responsible gaming call centre | 054 055 9406, 8am–5pm (reported in 2022) | Advice and support for people wey betting don turn problem |
| Uganda | National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board | Through the board's official channels | Complaints about operators, and questions about self-exclusion |
| Tanzania | 199 Afya Call Centre | 199 (call or SMS) | National health line, dem fit direct you to where you go get support |
| Tanzania | Gaming Board of Tanzania | Through the board's official channels | You fit ask make dem block you from betting for some time |
For Nigeria, Gamble Alert dey give counselling for gambling problem. MANI dey give free emotional support, and wetin you tell dem go remain secret. Di other lines na for people wey dey other countries.
For Uganda, Butabika National Referral Hospital for Kampala dey treat addiction and mental health.
If you ever feel say you fit harm yourself, call emergency services or crisis line sharp sharp.
How to talk to person wey you trust
When you talk to one person wey you trust, e go easy you to stop. Choose friend, family member, or religious leader like your pastor or imam.
Tell dem how much you don lose and wetin you wan change. Ask dem make dem help you with small steps, like to hold your mobile money PIN for some time.
If person wey you love get betting problem
You fit help am without fight. Start by choosing calm time to talk.
- Talk wetin you don notice, but no blame am.
- No lend am money for betting or to pay betting debt.
- Help am set up self-exclusion and blocking app.
- Show am di services for dis page, and call one together.
Take care of yourself too. Di helplines for up dey also give advice to family members.
Mistakes wey people dey make
- To wait for one big win before you stop. Dat win no dey usually come, and di loss go dey grow.
- To self-exclude from one account, then open another one.
- To keep betting apps for phone "just to check scores".
- To pay for "sure odds" or predictor apps so you fit win your money back.
- To try stop alone, for secret.
Questions wey people dey ask
If I call helpline, I go pay?
Toll-free lines like South Africa 0800 006 008 no dey cost money. Other lines fit charge normal call rate. Plenty of dem dey also collect SMS or WhatsApp.
I fit block myself from betting sites?
Yes. Most licensed bookmakers go allow you set time-out or self-exclude from your account settings. Free blocking apps fit also block betting sites for your phone.
Wetin if na my family member get di problem?
You fit call di same helplines for advice. Talk to am calm, no lend am money for betting, and help am find support.
How fast self-exclusion dey start?
Most times, immediately. For di time wey you choose, di operator suppose block your account and stop to send you adverts.
Other guides wey fit help you
- How to manage your betting money (bankroll)
- Why no bet dey certain
- Aviator predictor: e real or na scam?
- How di Aviator game dey work