PGF Services

PGF Services Free, confidential counselling, advice, and support for anyone affected by gambling harm in Aotearoa New Zealand.
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networks. All contributors are asked to keep in mind the Problem Gambling Foundation's core values - including integrity, respect, and excellence - when communicating with or about us. Please feel free to contact us via comms@pgf.nz

26/01/2026

We’re creating a podcast series focused on real, lived experiences of online gambling and sports betting harm.

That includes people affected by their own gambling, or the gambling of someone close to them.

The aim of the series is to increase knowledge and understanding - so others don’t feel alone in their experience. If you’d be keen to take part, participation can be anonymous, and you’ll be given all the details upfront before deciding whether it’s right for you.

There’s no judgement and no pressure - just real stories, shared honestly, making a positive impact in our communities here in Aotearoa.

Learn more and apply here:
👉 comms@pgf.nz
👉 pgf.nz/contact

16/12/2025

"I'm actually in counselling for my betting. I've just felt real comfortable talking to them. Yeah, I feel way better and with myself now, because I have more money for myself to go to the pub or whatever. He's helped me a lot. Not scared at all - Friendly as."

Talking to someone who gets it can change everything. No judgement, only support.
Get in touch before Xmas if you're worried about your gambling.

Free. Confidential. Safe. Your call.

💬 Free, confidential support across Aotearoa: pgf.nz/free-counselling
📲 Let's have a chat: 0800 664 262
📋 Take the self-test: screener.pgf.nz/gambling-survey
👉 Learn more: www.beingplayed.info
👉 Learn more: pgf.nz/knowledge-hub/category/sports-betting

Links in bio.

09/12/2025

"I've seen people addicted to other substances. The difference I'd say is with gambling, it's a lot more secretive. Like I would spend nights when my partner was sleeping, gambling because she wouldn't like seeing me on the apps."

This lived experience shows how easily chasing bets can become a cycle of harm. It's not you, it's the clever tactics used by betting companies that are designed to keep you playing.

Wonder where your gambling is at? Take a quick self-test:
📋 screener.pgf.nz/gambling-survey

Feeling like you need to keep your gambling under wraps?
💬 Reach out for free, confidential support across Aotearoa: pgf.nz/free-counselling
📲 Have a chat with someone who gets it: 0800 664 262
👉 Learn more: beingplayed.info

Links in bio.

08/12/2025

"I've seen people addicted to other substances. The difference I'd say is with gambling, it's a lot more secretive. Like I would spend nights when my partner was sleeping, gambling because she wouldn't like seeing me on the apps."

This lived experience shows how easily chasing bets can become a cycle of harm. It's not you, it's the clever tactics used by betting companies that are designed to keep you playing.

Wonder where your gambling is at? Take a quick self-test:
📋 screener.pgf.nz/gambling-survey

Feeling like you need to keep your gambling under wraps?
💬 Reach out for free, confidential support across Aotearoa: pgf.nz/free-counselling
📲 Have a chat with someone who gets it: 0800 664 262
👉 Learn more: www.beingplayed.info

Links in bio.

02/12/2025

"Betting has ruined sports for me. You don't really feel happy for the team winning. You kind of just get upset that you're not winning... and it kind of sucks the enjoyment out of the things you do enjoy."

What begins as entertainment can escalate unnoticed into gambling harm. Learn how online betting companies keep you playing their game, and how to protect yourself (and your wallet).

Think you're not enjoying sports and games as you used to? →

📋 Do a self check-in with our free online test: screener.pgf.nz/gambling-survey
💬 Reach out for free, confidential support across Aotearoa: pgf.nz/free-counselling
📲 Have a chat with someone who gets it: 0800 664 262
👉 Learn more: beingplayed.info

Links in bio.

This week we’re unpacking the celebrity Trust Puppet tactic - how betting companies use celebrities, athletes, and influ...
01/12/2025

This week we’re unpacking the celebrity Trust Puppet tactic - how betting companies use celebrities, athletes, and influencers to win your trust, normalise gambling, and get you betting more often.

That friendly face telling you to “bet responsibly” while promoting a gambling app? That’s not protection - it’s part of the tactic:

🤝 Halo effect - the good feelings you have about the celebrity rub off on the betting brand
🤝 False sense of safety - if they’re doing it, it feels more normal and less risky
🤝 Glamour over harm - the excitement and hype hide the real impacts of harmful gambling

Don’t mistake fame for fairness. Celebrity trust is a tactic, not protection.

Let’s raise awareness and empower each other to recognise and avoid these tactics →

👉 Learn more: beingplayed.info
📋 Take the self-test: screener.pgf.nz/gambling-survey
💬 Free, confidential support: 0800 664 262
📖 Read more about this tactic: pgf.nz/knowledge-hub/trust-puppets

Links in bio.

25/11/2025

"Since moving to New Zealand I got on one of the apps. It becomes a bit of a routine habit."

Have you seen “Free” hooks? They aren’t really free, and are tactics used by betting companies to keep you in their game. These Easy-Ins and early offers build habits that are hard to break.

Nothing’s free if it costs your wellbeing.

Let's raise awareness and empower each other to recognise and avoid these sneaky tactics →

👉 Learn more: beingplayed.info
📋 Take the self-test: screener.pgf.nz/gambling-survey
💬 Free, confidential support: 0800 664 262
📖 Read more about this tactic: pgf.nz/knowledge-hub/easy-ins

Links in bio.

“Free bets” aren’t free. They’re Easy-Ins designed to hook you early and keep you betting long-term.Sports betting compa...
24/11/2025

“Free bets” aren’t free. They’re Easy-Ins designed to hook you early and keep you betting long-term.

Sports betting companies use sign-up bonuses and free bets to encourage you to start gambling. This is designed to hook you and build long-term revenue.

🚨 Free bet offers create excitement at the start
🚨 Ongoing prompts encourage repeat betting
🚨 Over time, the fun of sport fades into pressure

Don’t confuse free bets with free play. They’re the bait in a bigger trap.

Being played? Let's raise awareness and empower each other to recognise the tactics →

👉 Learn more: beingplayed.info
📋 Take the self-test: screener.pgf.nz/gambling-survey
💬 Free, confidential support: 0800 664 262
📖 Read more about this tactic: pgf.nz/knowledge-hub/easy-ins

Links in bio.

19/11/2025

"A lady from a bookie company calls me up: "Just wondering why you haven't been betting? You had a really good run. I can load your account up with free bets."

Dark Nudges = reactivation calls, default stakes, and sticky prompts that push ‘one more bet’.
Watch out for this sneaky tactic used by sports betting companies to keep you in the game.

Being played? Let's raise awareness and empower each other to recognise the tactics →

👉 Learn more: www.beingplayed.info
📋 Test yourself: screener.pgf.nz/gambling-survey
💬 Free, confidential support: 0800 664 262
📖 Read more about this tactic: www.pgf.nz/knowledge-hub/dark-nudges

Links in bio.

Small design tricks, big consequences. Dark Nudges are autoplay and default stakes keep you betting longer without reali...
17/11/2025

Small design tricks, big consequences. Dark Nudges are autoplay and default stakes keep you betting longer without realising it.

'Add $5 for a 20% bigger return!' - look familiar?
Betting comapnies have lots of pop-up FOMO suggestions and tactics to game you into spending more - and increasing their profits.

🎯 Pre-filled bet amounts push higher stakes
🎯 Autoplay removes active decision-making
🎯 Sticky prompts encourage “just one more”

These nudges are subtle, but powerful. Spot them before they control your gambling.

Being played? Let's raise awareness and empower each other to recognise the tactics →

👉 Learn more: beingplayed.info
📋 Test yourself: screener.pgf.nz/gambling-survey
💬 Free, confidential support: 0800 664 262
📖 Read more about this tactic: pgf.nz/knowledge-hub/dark-nudges

Links in bio.

11/11/2025

"If you're with your mates you talk about your wins. You know you'll share your wins... you won't tell them about the time you lost."

With mates you share wins, never losses, and FOMO keeps you betting. That’s how the trap works. Mates chats and leaderboards make betting feel social, not risky.

Let's raise awareness and empower others to recognise the tactics →

👉 Learn more: www.beingplayed.info
📖 Read about this tactic: www.pgf.nz/knowledge-hub/mates-mode
💬 Free, confidential support: 0800 664 262

Links in bio.

Betting with mates feels social - but sports betting companies design it that way to increase pressure. Using social val...
11/11/2025

Betting with mates feels social - but sports betting companies design it that way to increase pressure.

Using social validation and peer pressure so you'll bet more money, more often. Using your friends against you is one of the dark sides of gambling.

🔥 Shared wins amplify FOMO
🔥 Leaderboards drive competition
🔥 Peer pressure normalises risky betting

It might look like fun with friends, but it’s really engineered to keep you in the game. Play your own game - not theirs.

Let's raise awareness and empower others to recognise the tactics →

👉 Learn more about the tactics: www.beingplayed.info
💬 Reach out for free, confidential support: 0800 664 262

Links in bio.

Address

128 Khyber Pass Road
Auckland
1150

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+64800664262

Website

https://www.beingplayed.info/, https://linktr.ee/pgfservices

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Our Story

At PGF Services we are trained to help. Our qualified counsellors provide free, professional and confidential counselling for both gamblers and others affected by gambling.

A gambling problem (sometimes called a gambling addiction) can significantly impact your life and the lives of those closest to you. For many people, phoning a gambling helpline or seeking help from anyone at all can be a difficult step to take.

We also have support groups. While they are not run in the same way as Gamblers Anonymous, they are designed for people who would like to work towards and maintain being ‘gamblefree’ or in control of their gambling.

Talking about your gambling, or someone else’s gambling, can bring huge relief and help you get your life back on track. We are here so that you do not need to make changes by yourself without support.