Free counselling and advice for people who think they may have a gambling problem, as well as concerned friends and family, will be available at Cabra Vale Diggers Club this Thursday and Friday as part of Responsible Gambling Awareness Week, run by the state government.

Mariette Ennik from Lifeline Western Sydney will be one of the counsellors on hand to help.

"As well as raising awareness of problem gambling in the community, one of the main messages we want to get out is that there are lots of free services available to help," Ms Ennik said.

"There is a multitude of services for a range of cultural backgrounds, from the Vietnamese Problem Gambling Association to the Auburn Asian Welfare Centre.

"And the Multicultural Problem Gambling Service in Parramatta can provide people from many other language backgrounds."

Free local services aren't limited to counselling and advice.

They also include financial planning and legal aid.

"There is a growing concern about normalising gambling on sport, especially if kids are watching the TV with the family and they're encouraged to bet on results," Ms Ennik said.

"While the majority of problem gamblers use the poker machines, we need to be aware about wider social trends and the messages kids can get as well."

Group gaming manager with Cabra Vale Diggers, David Stevenson, said the club encouraged people to think before gambling.

"Staff at Cabra Vale Diggers take this very seriously," he said.

"The club offers many services to help prevent problem gambling; some of these include self exclusion, the ClubSAFE [program] and gambling help line."

¦ Counsellors will be available for free consultations at Cabra Vale Diggers Club from noon to 7pm on Thursday, May 26 and Friday, May 27. The club is located at 1 Bartley Road, Canley Vale.

¦ If you have a problem with gambling, support and referrals are available 24 hours a day at 1800 858 858 or gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au.