About the week
Gambling Harm Awareness Week (GHAW) is an annual event to help people understand the risks of gambling and the harm that it can cause.
Gambling harm can affect someone’s:
- self-esteem
- relationships
- physical and mental health
- work performance
- social life
- financial situation.
Gambling Harm Awareness Week 2026
The way you gamble matters.
We know that gambling more often, for longer periods of time and without taking a break can increase the risk of gambling harm. Making changes to the way you gamble can help reduce that risk.
This year’s campaign message focuses on practical actions that encourage people to make small changes to how they gamble, because making small changes can make a big difference.
Bet Different. Risk Less.
Three simple ways to change how you play:
Take a break to pause and reset
When you’re gambling it’s easy to lose track of time.
Taking a break can help give you the opportunity to re-group and check in before deciding whether to continue gambling.
Bet just one day per week
Less often, lower risk.
Gambling less often can help reduce your risk of experiencing gambling harm, and create more time for the other things that matter in your life.
Give yourself a time limit
Plan before you play.
Setting a time limit before you gamble can help keep track, of time and money spent and make it easier to stop.
Need support?
If you or someone you know needs help with their gambling, support is available 24/7. Free call 1800 858 858 or visit the Gambler’s Help website.
Gambler’s help information is also available in languages other than English on the help in other languages page.
Contact us
Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission
Phone: 1300 599 759(opens in a new window)
Email: contact@vgccc-vic-au.site(opens in a new window)
Reducing harm through setting limits
Planning how much you spend, how often you gamble, and what you gamble on can help you reduce the risk of harm.
How to protect yourself from gambling harm
Take control of your gambling with simple strategies and tools. Set deposit limits, track your spending, use YourPlay at poker machine venues, or exclude yourself from gambling services.
Myths and misconceptions about winning
Learn the truth about gambling myths like near misses, spotting patterns, time since last win, and multi bets. Understand that each game outcome is random and independent.
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