Urgent gambling help in Guyana

If gambling feels out of control, is causing panic or is putting you or someone else at risk, focus on the next safe action rather than trying to solve everything at once. Step away from gambling, reduce access to money and contact a person who can stay with you or help you make decisions.

Guyana’s Ministry of Health describes the 915 hotline as a toll-free crisis support service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in crisis, call 915. If there is an immediate physical danger, move away from the danger where possible and seek urgent in-person assistance.

What to do right now

Start by creating distance between you and the gambling activity. Close gambling applications and browser windows, leave the venue if you can do so safely, and put down any device you are using to place bets. Do not try to recover losses with another wager.

Tell one trusted person what is happening. A direct message can be enough: “I need help to stop gambling right now. Please stay with me or call me.” Choose someone who can remain calm and help you avoid access to gambling or money for the next few hours.

If you are experiencing a crisis, call 915. The Ministry of Health announcement describes this as a 24/7 toll-free crisis support service.

A short plan for the next hour

Use simple actions that do not depend on willpower alone. The aim is to interrupt the immediate gambling cycle and make another deposit or bet harder.

Do not make major financial promises while distressed. Concentrate on stopping further gambling and protecting food, housing, utilities, transport, medicine and other essential needs.

Put barriers between gambling and money

Payment barriers can provide time for an urge to pass. Remove stored card details from gambling accounts and devices. Sign out of payment applications, disable quick payment features where available, and ask a trusted person to hold cards temporarily if that arrangement is safe and voluntary.

Review recent transactions without placing another bet. Record the amount currently available, essential payments due and any gambling transactions you do not recognise. Contact the relevant payment provider directly if you need help understanding or disputing a transaction. General payment precautions are available in the payment guide.

Do not borrow to chase a loss. Avoid payday borrowing, cash advances, selling essential property or using money set aside for household expenses. A temporary pause is more useful than attempting to repair the full financial position during a crisis.

Secure gambling accounts and devices

Change passwords if another person may have access to your gambling or payment accounts. Use a unique password for each important account and review active sessions where that option is available. Do not share verification codes or account credentials with anyone claiming that they can recover losses.

Use account limits, time-outs or closure tools when they are available. Keep confirmation messages or reference numbers after making a request. You can also remove gambling applications, block notifications and avoid saved shortcuts that make return easier.

These steps are barriers, not guarantees. Combine them with personal support and a plan for money. Further practical measures are set out under responsible gambling support.

When another person is affected

If you are helping someone, speak plainly and without blame. Ask whether they are safe, whether they are gambling at that moment and whether they can move away from money or devices. Offer one specific form of help, such as staying on the telephone, sitting with them or helping them list essential bills.

Do not lend money for another wager or agree to conceal financial harm. If you take temporary control of cards or devices, do so only with clear consent and keep the arrangement transparent. Protect your own accounts, passwords and essential funds as well.

If the person mentions self-harm, appears unable to stay safe or is in crisis, encourage them to call 915 and remain with them where it is safe to do so. You can also call for guidance while supporting the person.

Keep records without escalating the situation

Save account messages, transaction references and copies of requests for limits, time-outs or closure. Write down dates, amounts and what response was received. Accurate records can help later if you need to raise a payment query or complaint.

Do not alter screenshots or present assumptions as confirmed facts. Separate what you personally observed from what an operator, payment provider or another person said. Avoid public accusations while details remain unresolved.

For a service dispute, organise the records before using the complaints guide. Crisis support and complaint handling serve different needs: deal with immediate safety first, then address the account or transaction issue when you are able to do so calmly.

Gambling regulation and financial checks in Guyana

Guyana’s 2007 amendment introduced legal concepts for casino premises and casino operator licensing. The consolidated law also sets application and suitability rules for those licences. These records provide a legal framework, but they do not by themselves establish the status of every gambling website or resolve an individual dispute.

The Financial Intelligence Unit identifies casinos and betting shops among sectors supervised for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism purposes. Such supervision should not be interpreted as a promise that a particular service is safe, suitable or free from disputes.

Urgent emotional support, account complaints, licensing questions and financial supervision are separate matters. Use the route that matches the immediate problem, beginning with personal safety when there is a crisis.

Prepare for the next day

Once the immediate urge has eased, review what led up to it. Note the time, situation, amount involved and any trigger such as stress, alcohol, conflict, boredom or an attempt to recover an earlier loss. The purpose is to identify patterns, not to punish yourself.

Choose two barriers that can remain in place tomorrow. Examples include keeping gambling applications removed, maintaining lower payment access, asking a trusted person to check in, or keeping essential funds in an account not used for gambling.

Set a specific time to review bills and debts when you are rested. Deal first with essential needs and avoid making repayment commitments that you cannot assess properly. Continue seeking support rather than treating one gambling-free period as proof that the problem has ended.

parliament.gov.gy · mola.gov.gy · fiu.gov.gy

Frequently asked questions