Gambling Help Across Asia-Pacific: Helplines by Country
If gambling is causing harm to you or someone you love, help exists in your country and it is usually free and confidential. This page lists trusted gambling hotlines and support services across the Asia-Pacific region.
You are not alone, and reaching out is a strength
Wherever you live in Asia, gambling harm can feel isolating. Many people carry it quietly for years because of shame or fear of judgement. We want to say this gently and clearly: asking for help is not a weakness. It is one of the bravest and most practical steps a person can take.
The services below are run by mental-health bodies, charities and regulators across the region. Most are free and confidential, and many support family members too, not only the person who gambles. If you are in the Philippines, you can talk to a free gambling hotline at any hour, or first try a private self-assessment to understand where you stand. When you are ready to look further ahead, our guide on how to overcome gambling addiction explains what recovery and treatment involve.
Helplines by country (verified June 2026)
We verified these contacts in June 2026. Phone numbers and operating hours can change, so please confirm details on each service's official website before relying on them. Where we could not verify a current national gambling-specific number, we name the trusted body to contact instead, rather than printing a number that might be wrong.
| Country | Service | Contact | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines | PAGCOR National Problem Gambling Helpline (NPGH) | (02) 8248-9568 | 24/7, confidential |
| Philippines | NCMH Crisis Hotline (mental-health crisis) | 1553 or 0917-899-8727 | 24/7 |
| Singapore | National Problem Gambling Helpline (NCPG) | 1800-6-668-668 | 24/7 phone; webchat 8am-11pm daily |
| Hong Kong | Caritas Addicted Gamblers Counselling Centre (Ping Wo Fund) | 1834 633 (press 2) | Counselling line; check site for hours |
| Australia | National Gambling Helpline (Gambling Help Online) | 1800 858 858 | 24/7, free and confidential |
| New Zealand | Gambling Helpline Aotearoa | 0800 654 655 | 24/7, free and confidential |
| Malaysia | Befrienders KL (emotional support; no national gambling line) | 03-7627 2929 | 24/7 |
| Thailand | Dept. of Mental Health Hotline (general mental health) | 1323 | 24/7 |
| Worldwide | Gambling Therapy by Gordon Moody (online, multilingual) | gamblingtherapy.org | Live chat extended daily hours |
Philippines: free, 24/7 and confidential
The PAGCOR National Problem Gambling Helpline on (02) 8248-9568 is open 24 hours a day and is confidential. It is run by PAGCOR with Seagulls Flock Organization Inc. and was launched on 26 May 2026. Calls are answered by trained para-counsellors and mental-health professionals across three daily shifts, who provide guidance, triage and referral. It is for people who gamble and for their families.
If your distress feels like a mental-health crisis, the NCMH Crisis Hotline at 1553 (Luzon-wide landline, toll-free) or 0917-899-8727 offers 24/7 support, including gambling-related distress. You can also read our guide to the warning signs of problem gambling or learn about the voluntary self-exclusion programme.
Remember: the legal age for casino gambling in the Philippines is 21 and over, and PAGCOR's Responsible Gaming Code of Practice aims to minimise harm and prevent addiction.
Other Asia-Pacific countries
Singapore: The National Problem Gambling Helpline on 1800-6-668-668 is staffed by trained para-counsellors and runs 24/7, with a daily webchat from 8am to 11pm. Callers may stay anonymous. (Mobile-call airtime charges may apply.)
Hong Kong: The Caritas Addicted Gamblers Counselling Centre, funded by the Ping Wo Fund, offers counselling for people with a gambling disorder and their families. The gambling counselling hotline is 1834 633 (press 2). Several Ping Wo Fund centres operate across the territory.
Australia: The National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 is free, confidential and open 24/7, with phone counselling and online chat at gamblinghelponline.org.au. It supports both people who gamble and their loved ones.
New Zealand: The Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 is a free 24-hour service, with dedicated lines for Māori, Pasifika and youth callers, and a text option.
- Malaysia: There is no dedicated national gambling helpline we could verify. Befrienders KL (03-7627 2929) gives 24/7 emotional support; AKPK offers free financial counselling for debt.
- Thailand: The Department of Mental Health Hotline 1323 gives 24/7 free, confidential mental-health support that can include gambling-related stress.
- India, Indonesia, Vietnam: We could not verify a current government gambling-specific helpline number for these countries. Please use Gamblers Anonymous local fellowships or the worldwide Gambling Therapy service below, and check official health-ministry sites for local options.
Worldwide online support and peer fellowships
Wherever you are, two free options cross borders. Gambling Therapy by the UK charity Gordon Moody is a free, multilingual online service offering live chat and peer support groups to anyone affected by gambling, anywhere in the world. Gamblers Anonymous is a free peer-support fellowship with meetings in many Asian cities, including the Philippines.
Support for families matters just as much. If you are worried about someone else, our page support for families and friends explains how to help without losing yourself. You can also explore simple responsible-gambling habits to keep play as entertainment, never as a way to make money.
Frequently asked questions
Are these gambling helplines free and confidential?
Most are free and confidential. The Philippine PAGCOR helpline, NCMH crisis line, Australia's and New Zealand's national helplines and Singapore's NCPG line are confidential and free or toll-free, though mobile airtime charges can apply to some 1800 numbers. You can usually stay anonymous.
Which number should I call in the Philippines?
Call the PAGCOR National Problem Gambling Helpline on (02) 8248-9568, open 24/7 for people who gamble and their families. For a mental-health crisis, call the NCMH hotline on 1553 or 0917-899-8727. In an emergency, dial 911.
What if there is no gambling helpline in my country?
Use the worldwide Gambling Therapy service (gamblingtherapy.org), which offers free multilingual online chat and peer groups, or find a local Gamblers Anonymous meeting. General mental-health helplines, such as Thailand's 1323 or Malaysia's Befrienders, can also help and refer you onward.
Can family members call these helplines too?
Yes. Many services, including the PAGCOR helpline, Australia's National Gambling Helpline and the Hong Kong Caritas centre, support families and friends as well as the person who gambles. You can read our support guide for families for more.
Why do you not list a phone number for every country?
We only print numbers we could verify in June 2026. Where we could not confirm a current government gambling-specific line, we name the trusted body to contact instead, so you never rely on a number that may be wrong. Always confirm details on the official site.
What happens after I call a gambling hotline?
A trained counsellor listens without judgement, helps you understand your situation, and talks through practical next steps. You can stay anonymous and are not committing to anything by calling. Many people start with one call, then move on to ongoing support such as counselling, peer groups or treatment when they feel ready. Our guide on how to overcome gambling addiction explains what those next steps can look like.
Is this website a gambling operator or a government agency?
No. GamblingHelp Asia is a free, independent, public-interest resource. We do not run any casino or gambling service and we are not a government body. We simply signpost people to trusted help.