Warning signs of gambling harm include betting more than you can afford, chasing losses, borrowing to gamble and feeling guilty about it. In the Maldives, the National Mental Health Helpline on 1677 answers 24 hours a day and can refer callers to clinical services. Free international services include Gambling Therapy, Gamblers Anonymous and, for families, Gam-Anon. Blocking tools and talking to someone you trust can also help.
On this page
- National Mental Health Helpline
- 1677, 24 hoursSource 5
- Gambling Therapy
- Free, multilingual online support run by the charity Gordon MoodySource 3
- Gamblers Anonymous meetings
- In person, virtual or by telephoneSource 7
- People affected per high-risk gambler
- About six others on average, according to WHOSource 2
This page is for anyone in the Maldives worried about their own gambling or someone else's. It covers warning signs, practical steps and verified places to get support. You do not need to be sure you have a "problem" to use any of them.
Warning signs
The NHS in England uses a short set of questions to help people judge whether gambling is causing harm1. They include:
- Do you bet more than you can afford to lose?
- Do you need to gamble with larger amounts to get the same feeling?
- Have you tried to win back money you have lost?
- Have you borrowed money or sold anything to get money to gamble?
- Has gambling caused financial problems for you or your household?
- Has it caused health problems, such as stress or anxiety?
- Do you feel guilty about your gambling?
The NHS scores each answer from 0 for "never" to 3 for "almost always". A total of 8 or more suggests gambling is likely to be causing harm1.
Gambling harm spreads beyond money. The World Health Organization lists relationship breakdown, family violence, mental illness and crime among its effects2.
Practical steps you can take now
- Block gambling sites and apps on your devices. Blocking software stops access to gambling websites and apps, and the NHS recommends it as a self-help step1. Gambling Therapy also has self-help material on blocking gambling sites3. Our page on why unofficial casino apps are risky covers the phone side of that.
- Ask your bank about blocking gambling payments. Some banks can block gambling transactions on request1. What is available varies by bank, so ask yours directly. Our payments risk explainer covers which routes can be disputed after the fact.
- Pay essentials first. Deal with rent, bills and debts before any other spending1.
- Stop thinking of gambling as a way to make money1. Casino games and betting are built so the operator keeps a margin over time, which our guide to the house edge explains in plain terms.
- Leave channels that push gambling. Betting sites in the Maldives are widely promoted through Telegram and social media4. Muting or leaving those groups removes a daily trigger. How that promotion spread is described in our page on Maldives gambling.
- Talk to someone you trust and spend more time with people who don't gamble1.
Support in the Maldives
KiraBet has not found a gambling-specific support service based in the Maldives. The services below are general mental health services that people affected by gambling can use.
National Mental Health Helpline: 1677
Run by the National Mental Health Department under the Ministry of Health, the helpline operates 24 hours a day. Trained operators provide psychological first aid and can listen, assess and refer callers to clinical services5.
Mental Health Support Group
The Mental Health Support Group offers a navigation service to help people find suitable clinics and treatment5. Its get-help page lists psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors in greater Malé and at atoll hospitals6.
In an emergency
If someone is at immediate risk, seek emergency help. According to the Mental Health Support Group, IGMH's emergency room is the only hospital in the greater Malé area that attends to mental health emergencies6.
International online support
These services are free to use and work online, so they are open to people in the Maldives.
- Gambling Therapy (gamblingtherapy.org) offers free practical advice and emotional support to anyone affected by gambling, with forums and material in many languages. It is run by Gordon Moody, a registered charity in England and Wales3.
- Gamblers Anonymous (gamblersanonymous.org) is a peer-support fellowship. It offers in-person, virtual and telephone meetings, and a "20 Questions" self-assessment7.
- Gam-Anon (gam-anon.org) supports people affected by a loved one's gambling, including through virtual meetings8.
Help for family and friends
The World Health Organization estimates that for every person gambling at high-risk levels, an average of six others are affected2. If that is you, your wellbeing matters too.
- Gam-Anon is designed for relatives and friends who are anxious about someone's gambling or dealing with its financial effects8.
- Gambling Therapy has resources for family members, friends and colleagues3.
- Choose a calm moment to talk, focus on specific effects you have seen rather than labels, and point to the support options on this page.
- Protect your own finances. Be cautious about covering debts, and get advice before making decisions about shared money.
- If the situation is affecting your own mental health, you can call the 1677 helpline yourself5.
Risk to life
Gambling disorder is linked to a much higher risk of suicide2. If you or someone you know is thinking about ending their life, call 1677 at any time or go to an emergency department.
If gambling is causing harm. Losses cannot be recovered by playing more, and no game offers a guaranteed return. Free, confidential support is available, including services you can reach from the Maldives.
For how gambling is treated in law in the Maldives, see our page on Maldives casino laws. Our site-wide responsible gambling page collects the same tools and services for readers outside the Maldives.