If gambling has become a problem for you or someone you love, help is available — much of it free and confidential. You do not have to solve this alone, and reaching out early makes recovery far easier.
Mental-health helplines
Tele MANAS is India’s national mental-health helpline, free and available 24/7 in multiple languages. Call 14416 or 1-800-891-4416. Trained counsellors can talk through gambling-related stress, anxiety, and next steps, and can refer you to local services.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger or crisis, contact local emergency services right away.
Peer support groups
Gamblers Anonymous runs free peer-support meetings in several Indian cities and online; search “Gamblers Anonymous India” for current meeting details. Talking with others who understand the struggle can make a real difference. For families, Gam-Anon offers support to relatives and friends of people who gamble.
Professional counselling
Many hospitals and mental-health clinics have psychiatrists and psychologists experienced with behavioural addictions. A general physician can refer you, and government mental-health programmes offer low-cost or free options. Therapy approaches like cognitive behavioural therapy are effective for gambling problems.
Practical money help
Alongside emotional support, consider a credit counsellor or a trusted person to help you organise debts and put safeguards in place — separate accounts, spending limits, and removing betting and loan apps. Handling the money and the mind together gives the best chance of a fresh start.
Get help or report a scam
If you’ve lost money to a scam app, report it at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930. If gambling is affecting your life or someone you love, you can reach the free, confidential mental-health helpline Tele MANAS at 14416. Asking for help early is a strength, not a weakness.
This article is for consumer awareness and harm prevention. It is not legal or financial advice. Helpline details can change; please verify current numbers before relying on them.