Frequently asked questions.

GamHelp Kenya, operated by the East Africa Centre for Mental Health Services (EACMHS), is Kenya’s leading free support service for gambling addiction and mental health challenges. We provide counselling, treatment programmes, peer support groups, education workshops, and industry oversight — all at no cost to the people we serve.

No. We are an independent non-profit organisation. We work alongside government bodies such as the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) and the Ministry of Health, but we are not funded or operated by the government.

GamHelp Kenya was founded in 2019 in response to the rapid growth of sports betting in Kenya and the lack of free, local support for those affected. We have been providing services continuously since then.

Our main operations are in Nairobi, Kenya. However, we serve clients across the country through online and telephone counselling, WhatsApp support, and community partnerships.

No. We are a separate, Kenya-based organisation. While we share similar values of peer support and recovery, GamHelp Kenya offers a broader range of services including professional counselling, clinical treatment referrals, and family support.

You can get help by calling or WhatsApping us on +254 726 883 960, emailing info@gamhelpkenya.com, or by taking our free online self-test. A counsellor will contact you within 24 hours.

No referral is needed. You can contact us directly — no paperwork, no appointments, no barriers. Just reach out and we will take it from there.

Yes. Our telephone and WhatsApp helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A trained counsellor or peer support volunteer will respond to you.

Yes. You can contact us on behalf of someone else. We can advise you on how to approach the conversation, what to expect, and how to connect your loved one with the right support.

Take our free, anonymous self-test. It takes 3 minutes and will give you a clear indication of whether your gambling is becoming harmful — with no obligation to follow up.

Yes. Everything you share with GamHelp Kenya — your name, your situation, your test results — is strictly confidential. We will never share your information with anyone, including your family, employer, or any government body, without your explicit consent.

Yes. Every service offered by GamHelp Kenya is completely free of charge. We are a non-profit funded by donations and partners. There is no cost to you at any point.

We offer online and telephone counselling (via WhatsApp and phone calls) for mild to moderate gambling addiction, and outpatient or inpatient treatment referrals for severe cases. All clients also receive aftercare support after completing a programme.

Our programmes typically run between 1 and 3 months, depending on your level of addiction and the treatment pathway assigned. Aftercare and follow-up support continues beyond the programme.

Our self-test is a short, anonymous questionnaire that assesses your gambling behaviour against clinical criteria. Based on your answers, we determine the level of addiction and the most appropriate treatment pathway for you.

After your self-test, a trained counsellor will contact you for a confidential screening conversation. This is not an interrogation — it is a caring conversation to understand your full situation, including any underlying challenges such as debt, depression, relationship strain, or alcohol use.

Yes. We recognise that gambling addiction often occurs alongside other challenges such as alcohol dependency, depression, and anxiety. Our counsellors are trained to address co-occurring conditions as part of a holistic treatment plan, alongside our wider gambling counselling Kenya offering.

Yes. You do not need to have stopped gambling to begin treatment. Many clients are still gambling when they first contact us. That is completely normal and nothing to be ashamed of.

A support group is a small gathering of people who share a common challenge — in this case, gambling addiction — and meet regularly to support each other through recovery. Sessions are facilitated by a trained peer support specialist.

We run weekly in-person groups across Nairobi and online WhatsApp groups for those outside Nairobi or who prefer remote participation. See the full schedule.

No. You are welcome to simply listen at your first session — or as many sessions as you need. There is no pressure to speak until you feel ready.

Yes. We run dedicated groups for partners, parents, and family members of people with gambling addiction. These groups focus on coping strategies, communication, and self-care for loved ones.

No. All GamHelp Kenya support groups are completely free of charge.

You can donate via M-Pesa, bank transfer, or online. Contact us for full details. Every contribution — large or small — directly funds free counselling and support for Kenyans in need.

Yes. We welcome volunteers — particularly people who have personal or professional experience with gambling addiction or mental health. Contact us at info@gamhelpkenya.com with a brief note about your background and interest.

Yes. We work with employers, betting operators, and community organisations on education, training, and responsible gambling programmes. Contact us to discuss a partnership.

Yes. We are a registered non-profit organisation in Kenya. Details are available on request.