Personal stories

The first time I saw poker machines, I was 20, attending a conference interstate. A woman was sobbing in front of one of them. I put my arm around her and then I went and told the barman and he said 'Don’t worry about it; she’s probably just done her pension'.

Read Libby's story

... Gambling destroys families; we are a same-sex couple, intelligent, professional, corporate responsible. Broken.

Read Heather's story

I'm 22 years old and I have a gambling problem. It started out when I was 18 year old, as harmless fun with my partner in which we'd go to the local pub, once a week, and put $20–50 max per night and do 30 cent bets.

Read Katherine's story

... My family would go to a hotel in Hawthorn for birthday lunches. We’d light the candles and sing happy birthday and then everyone went into the venue to play the pokies.

Read Sarah's story

... gambling for me was to do with how I felt about myself and pain I hadn't dealt with in my life ... when I had sorted these the buzz of gambling didn't seem so alluring.

Read Adam's story

I have watched my dad blow couple of million dollars and have to sell his luxury home quickly ...

Read Son of a compulsive gambler's story

I have been gambling for 30 years. First pokies, now online ... I am over it and want to stop.

Read Joy's story

... I'm 31 and have been gambling for 6 years now. I lost a good career gambling but it's never to late to stop.

Read Dan's story

I’m only 24 and for the past year all I want to do is gamble, even after banning myself. I’ve still found ways to gamble and waste money.

Read Ollie's story

I’m 26 turning 27 in July. I have been gambling since I got my first pay; I use to give money to my grandmother to play the pokies for me before I was legal age to play myself.

Read Stacey's story

I was 21 when I first started sports betting. I am 35 now and I have not gambled since January 1st 2016, It will be close to 2 years. 2 years would be the first and biggest break from gambling in my life.

Read Jay's story

I’m 28 years old, well educated and have been a consistent gambler on sports and racing for about 6 years.

Read Frank's story