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Gambling & moneyहिंदी में पढ़ें

Finding it hard to stop betting? Getting help, and talking to family

6 min read
Two men having a calm, attentive talk at home

Short answer: You’re not alone, and it’s not a weakness. Problem gambling is a recognised health issue, and help works. Call Tele-MANAS on 14416 (free, 24/7, many languages). Today, turn off online and international card payments in your banking app. And tell one person you trust, with a list of what you owe. Debts kept secret grow, and a plan needs at least one ally (someone on your side).

If you’re thinking about harming yourself, call 14416 now or go to the nearest hospital.

Get support

  • Tele-MANAS: 14416 or 1-800-891-4416. Free, confidential (private), 24/7, in many languages. India has no separate government gambling helpline, so Tele-MANAS is the right first call.
  • NIMHANS SHUT clinic (Bengaluru) treats problems linked to technology use, including gaming and betting. Details: https://www.nimhans.ac.in/departments/service-for-healthy-use-of-technology
  • Your local doctor or district hospital can refer you to a counsellor or a psychiatrist (a doctor for mental health).

Blocks you can set today

We found no Indian bank that offers a special “gambling block” you can switch on yourself. These tools help instead:

  • Card controls: in your banking app, turn off online and international transactions on your debit and credit cards. Switch them on only when you need them. RBI requires banks to offer these controls.
  • UPI: lower your daily UPI limit if your app allows it, and remove saved cards from wallets.
  • A second check: ask someone you trust to hold your spare card, or to be told about transfers above an amount you choose.
  • Your phone: uninstall betting apps and use content filters, which block certain sites and apps. Report suspicious messages, including betting offers, on Sanchar Saathi → Chakshu.
  • Your salary: for a few months, have it paid into an account with no debit card. Pay rent and EMIs by auto-debit (automatic payment from your account) on payday.

Since 1 May 2026, offering or advertising online money games is banned in India. Apps that still offer them operate outside Indian law.

A ₹ example

Fictional. Calculated by Paisavy.

Vikram loses about ₹2,000 a week. He also borrowed ₹15,000 from an informal lender (a private moneylender, not a bank or registered company) at 3% a month.

  • A year of losses: ₹2,000 × 52 = ₹1,04,000
  • Interest on the loan over 6 months (simple interest): ₹2,700

One year’s losses are almost three times a typical 3-month emergency fund for a family whose basic needs cost ₹12,000 a month.

Talking to your family

  1. Choose a calm time, not right after a loss or in the middle of an argument.
  2. Start with facts: “I owe ₹___ to these lenders. I’ve been betting. I want to stop and I need help.”
  3. Bring the debt list: who you owe, how much, and when each payment is due. Then the talk is about a plan, not blame.
  4. Ask for one clear thing. Hold my card. Sit with me when I call the lender. Or come with me to a counsellor.

If you’re the family member

  • Separate the person from the behaviour.
  • Protect household money. Keep separate accounts, and don’t take new loans in your name for them.
  • Don’t become their guarantor, the person who must repay if they can’t. (See Family budget, support and guarantor risks.)
  • If anyone talks about self-harm, call 14416 or emergency services immediately.

Dealing with the debts

  • Make a debt map, a list of every loan in one place, and protect basic needs first. (See Several loans at once and Your next EMI doesn’t fit your budget.)
  • If a lender or app is threatening you, see A loan app is threatening you and report it on 1930.
  • Don’t borrow to win back losses. (See “I’ll win it back”.)

Myths

  • “I’ll stop once I win back what I lost.” That’s chasing losses, and it makes the hole deeper.
  • “Telling my family will make it worse.” Hidden debt grows. A plan needs an ally.
  • “My bank can block betting sites for me.” We found no such feature in India. Use card controls and limits.
  • “Only weak people get addicted.” It’s a recognised health problem, and help is available.

What to check today

  1. Turn off online and international use on your cards.
  2. Write your debt list.
  3. Save 14416 in your phone, and decide who you’ll talk to.

Try it privately

→ What does betting cost me? A private calculator. Nothing is saved unless you choose to save it.

Sources and review

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What does betting cost me?
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Educational information, not financial advice. Found an error? Tell us → · Corrections log

Frequently asked questions

Is there a gambling helpline in India?

India has no separate government gambling helpline, so Tele-MANAS is the right first call. Dial 14416 or 1-800-891-4416. It is free, confidential (private), open 24/7 and works in many languages. You can also ask your local doctor or district hospital to refer you to a counsellor. If you are thinking about harming yourself, call 14416 now.

Can my bank block betting payments for me?

We found no Indian bank that offers a special gambling block you can switch on yourself. You can still use card controls. In your banking app, turn off online and international payments on your debit and credit cards. RBI requires banks to offer these controls. Lowering your daily UPI limit and removing saved cards from wallets also helps.

How do I tell my family I have lost money betting?

Pick a calm time, not right after a loss or during an argument. Start with facts: who you owe, how much and when each payment is due. Bring that debt list, so the talk is about a plan, not blame. Then ask for one clear thing, like holding your card or coming with you to a counsellor.

My son is betting online. How can I help him?

Separate the person from the behaviour, and stay calm. Protect household money by keeping separate accounts. Don't take new loans in your name for him, and don't become his guarantor (the person who must repay if he can't). Encourage him to call Tele-MANAS on 14416. If anyone talks about self-harm, call 14416 or emergency services at once.

Should I borrow money to win back my betting losses?

No. Borrowing to win back losses is chasing, and it makes the hole deeper. Start with a debt map instead: one list of every loan, what is due and when. Protect rent, food and other basic needs first. If a lender or app threatens you, report it on 1930. Our guide on several loans at once shows where to begin.

Is problem gambling an addiction or a lack of willpower?

Problem gambling is a recognised health issue, not a weakness. Help works, and you don't have to sort it out alone. The NIMHANS SHUT clinic in Bengaluru treats problems linked to technology use, including gaming and betting. A local doctor can also refer you to a psychiatrist (a doctor for mental health). Tele-MANAS on 14416 is a good place to start.