Kõige olulisem kõigepealt: sina ei ole lähedase mängimises süüdi ega saa seda üksi "ära parandada". Küll aga saad palju ära teha — märgata, toetada ja suunata abi juurde ning kaitsta vahepeal enda heaolu ja rahaasju.
Nõuandeliin 15410 nõustab tasuta ka pereliikmeid ja sõpru. Sa ei pea ootama, kuni mängija ise abi otsib.
Signs to watch for in a loved one
Ükski märk üksi ei tõesta probleemi. Muster — mitu märki koos ja korduvalt — on põhjus rääkida.
Money vanishes unexplained — bills go unpaid, savings shrink, payday loans appear.
Secrecy — the phone is hidden, bank statements are avoided, the extent of gambling is lied about.
Their mood swings — irritability, anxiety or apathy, especially after gambling sessions.
Loss of interest — work, hobbies and family take a back seat, time disappears behind a screen.
Borrowing and selling — things go missing, money is asked for to cover "unexpected costs".
Promises don’t hold — "the last time" repeats, losses are chased with ever bigger stakes.
How to start the conversation
Eesmärk ei ole süüdlast leida, vaid uks lahti teha. Vali rahulik hetk — mitte vahetult pärast kaotust või tüli.
Do this
- Räägi enda vaatest: „Ma olen märganud…“, „Ma muretsen…“
- Kirjelda konkreetseid olukordi, mitte üldistusi
- Kuula lõpuni — ka siis, kui vastus on eitav
- Paku konkreetset järgmist sammu: enesetest või kõne 15410
Avoid
- Süüdistusi ja silte („sa oled sõltlane“)
- Ultimaatumeid, mida sa ei kavatse täita
- Võlgade vaikimisi kinnimaksmist — see pikendab probleemi
Family finances and your wellbeing
Abi pakkumine ei tähenda enda ohvriks toomist. Need sammud hoiavad sinu ja pere igapäevaelu töös.
Set aside your essential bills
Route housing, utilities and children’s costs to an account the gambler can’t access. For a joint account, discuss limits with the bank.
Don’t pay off gambling debts by default
Clearing a debt without an agreement removes the consequence and delays seeking help. If you help, do it with a written plan and conditions.
Encourage self-exclusion
A person can add themselves to the HAMPI register only on their own — you can make it easy: sit down together and submit the application via eesti.ee.
Take care of yourself
A loved one’s role is draining. Counselling, support groups and your own friends aren’t a luxury — they keep you standing as a supporter.
Good to know: our anonymous self-test helps you see the pattern more clearly too — the questions describe behaviour to watch for in a loved one. The test can also be offered to the gambler themselves.
Support for loved ones in Estonia
Kõik allolev on tasuta ja konfidentsiaalne — ka siis, kui mängija ise (veel) abi ei taha.
Helpline 15410
Talk the situation through with a counsellor: how to start the conversation, what to do about money and how to cope yourself.
Visit 15410.ee →Support groups for loved ones
Talking with others in the same situation takes away shame and loneliness. You’ll find group info through the counselling centre.
Find a support group →HAMPI self-exclusion
A state restriction that closes access to all Estonian-licensed casinos. Only the gambler can submit the application — help them take that step.
See the EMTA guidance →Gambling self-test
A PGSI-based test you can offer to a gambler — or take yourself to assess the situation more clearly. Answers are not stored.
Open the self-test →Loved-one FAQ
Can I close a loved one’s casino accounts myself?
Are my spouse’s gambling debts my debts?
The player denies the problem. What to do?
Should I pay off their debts?
How to protect children and everyday expenses?
You don’t have to carry it alone
Nõustamine on tasuta ja konfidentsiaalne ka lähedasele. Esimene kõne ei kohusta millekski.