Help for ending gambling

It is possible to reduce gambling and stop it completely.

The ways to recover depend on the situation. Someone may take control of their gambling by examining their gambling and its effects. Others, on the other hand, may have a long history of gambling, and it has already caused major problems. The most important thing is your own desire to recover.

When you are thinking about quitting, think about why you are gambling. What does gambling have to offer you? What does it take away from you? Ask yourself in what situations gambling is particularly tempting. If you notice that you are running away from your grievances by gambling, you should talk about them to your loved one or a professional.

The safest manner to recover is often to stop gambling completely. Stopping playing specific games or reducing gambling is more difficult and may prolong the process of solving the problem.

When you seek help, you can discuss your financial situation, relationships, everyday life or your health. You can also consider how you can find meaningful activities to replace gaming. 

Read about recovering from problem gambling at Peluuri.fi (in Finnish)Opens in a new window..

There is no one right way to deal with a gambling problem. Try different methods to find out what would best support your recovery.

According to the law, wellbeing services counties are responsible for providing treatment for gambling problems in Finland. Services related to gambling problems are part of mental health, substance abuse and addiction services. Wellbeing services counties will organise support and care independently, or they purchase the service in whole or in part from companies or organisations.

Organisations also provide peer support and counselling as well as organise supported programmes that people can participate in online. Often, you can also receive support anonymously.

If you are looking for help for other problems in addition to gambling, contact the social and health care service counselling services of your wellbeing services county. For financial problems, please contact the financial and debt advisory services of Legal Aid Offices and Takuusäätiö (Guarantee Foundation).

Treatment for gambling problems may consist of either outpatient care, which takes place at certain times, or 24-hour institutional care. They use several methods, such as different therapies.

Self-imposed bans, restrictions or prohibitions on admission to gambling facilities may also be used to deal with a gambling problem.

Read more: Treating problem gambling

It is usually difficult for people to tell others about their gambling problem. Many people are ashamed of their gambling. However, it usually makes you feel better because secrecy can increase anxiety. In a conversation with another person, you can find support and strength to solve your problem.

The easiest way to address a gambling problem can be in a helpline or peer support groups that meet face-to-face or online. 

In peer support groups, others have experience of problematic gambling, and they will know how it feels.

You can talk about your gambling

• in occupational health care with nurses or doctors
• at a social welfare and health care centre with a nurse or doctor
• at a social welfare and health care centre with a social advisor or social worker. 

These professionals meet other people in the same situation in their work. You are not alone with your worries.

Gambling problems are often associated with financial problems. The financial situation may be immediately facilitated by determining how much debt there is and who the creditors are. Going through the invoices will clarify the situation and it will be easier to solve the problems.

Tips for settling debts on the Peluuri websiteOpens in a new window.. Peluuri's helpline also provides counselling on the situation.

On the If you are unable to pay your debts page, you will find advice and a checklist for your situation. 

Information on the management of financial problems and debts at Addictionlink.fi (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.

Help is available for financial problems and debts. You can contact the financial and debt counselling of The National Legal Services Authority or Takuusäätiö (Guarantee Foundation).

• Financial and debt coun­sell­ing - The National Legal Services AuthorityOpens in a new window.
• Debt line and chat - Guarantee Foundation (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.

If you are an entrepreneur, you can find information about corporate payment difficulties on the Company’s financial difficulties and their prevention guide. 

It is important to avoid incurring additional debts in order to sort out your finances. To do this, you can impose a credit ban on yourself. 

• Asiakastieto credit ban (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Dun & Bradstreet credit ban (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.

One way to prevent further indebtedness is to allow a reliable person close to you to manage your finances temporarily. Please note, however, that the person close to you may not necessarily want such responsibility and has the right to refuse it. If you feel that you cannot take care of yourself or your finances, you can apply for a legal guardian.

How to apply for a guardian for yourself - DVVOpens in a new window.

Under the law, you have the right to receive treatment for a gambling problem. Your loved ones are also entitled to support. Wellbeing services counties are responsible for providing treatment for gambling problems in Finland.

Sometimes, access to treatment is delayed or other problems occur. Then you can take the matter further:

• If you do not have access to treatment or there are problems with treatment, contact the social services ombudsperson of your wellbeing services county. 
• If you are receiving treatment but feel that there are problems with it, please contact the patient ombudsperson of the facility in question.

It is possible to reduce or stop gambling.

To support this reduction, you can try keeping a gambling diary and monitoring your finances. Decide in advance how much money you can spend on gambling and stick to the decision.

If you lose a large amount, do not try to win it back. The only one who is sure to win in gambling is the game organiser.

How to gamble less? Tips for reducing and stopping - PeluuriOpens in a new window.

You can also set restrictions on yourself: for example, you can block your devices from accessing gaming sites, get an access ban to the gambling place, or tighten the daily withdrawal restrictions on your bank account.

If you have been gambling for a long time, you may need many attempts to quit. Do not be discouraged if you do not succeed right away and seek help if necessary.

 Information about relapse and its prevention on the Peluuri website (in Finnish)Opens in a new window..

There is a variety of tools online that you can use to monitor and limit gambling.

• Gambling exercise book - Addictionlink (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.

Different technical restrictions can be set for gambling. If you are gambling online, install a blocking program on your device. Also make use of the gambling companies' own tools. For example, on the Veikkaus website, you can set a limit on how much you can transfer from your bank account to a game account. You can also block yourself from playing for the time you choose.

• Information on restricting online gambling - Peluuri (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Information on restricting gambling in shops - Peluuri (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Blocking programs - Addictionlink (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Closing gambling accounts - Additionlink (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.

The Defeating Problem Gambling guide by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (in Finnish)Opens in a new window. allows you to map your gambling and draw up a plan to reduce or stop it.

Peer support is available for people with gambling problems. Organisations offer various peer groups and online discussions. The wellbeing services counties may also have guided peer support activities, but the situation varies by county.

Gamblers Anonymous and the Sosped foundation's Pelirajaton activities organise peer groups nationally across Finland:

• Gamblers Anonymous – GA groups (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Pelirajaton peer groups (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• In the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, information and support point Tiltti’s open doors (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• In the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, information and support point Tiltti’s peer circle (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.

Group chat and discussion forums:

• Loppupeleissä group chat (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Pelirajaton group chat (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• OmaPeluuri serviceOpens in a new window. 
• Peer support section of the Addictionlink discussion forum (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.

From the Pelirajatonservice, you can request a peer call from a trained peer instructor (in Finnish)Opens in a new window..

Seek professional help if gambling does not decrease or stop without external help. Get help as soon as you feel you need it. You are entitled to help in all situations.

Contact 

• mental health, substance abuse and addiction services in your wellbeing services county
• or occupational health care services. 

A professional will find out with you what kind of treatment could best help you.