Responsible Gambling

Gambling involves financial risk and should never be regarded as a reliable way to earn money. A low minimum deposit does not eliminate the possibility of significant losses through repeated gambling.

Understanding Gambling Risks

Online pokies and casino games contain a mathematical house advantage. Individual results are unpredictable, and previous wins or losses do not determine what will happen next. Chasing losses, treating gambling as income, or using money needed for living expenses are clear warning indicators that the activity has moved beyond entertainment.

How to Recognise Problem Gambling

Problem gambling is not always obvious at the start. Answering “yes” to several of the questions below is a strong signal to pause and seek support:

• Do you try to win back money you have already lost?
• Have you borrowed money, used credit, or taken loans to continue gambling?
• Has gambling affected your relationships, work, study or reputation?
• Do you hide the amount of time or money you spend gambling from family or friends?
• Do you feel restless, irritable or depressed when you are not gambling?
• Have your daily routines or other activities changed significantly because of gambling?
• Do you gamble when you are stressed, anxious, lonely or under the influence of alcohol or other substances?
• Do you regularly exceed the time or money limits you set for yourself?

Three or more “yes” answers suggest a high likelihood of problem gambling. In that situation the most useful step is to stop playing and contact professional support.

Practical Safeguards

• Decide a fixed entertainment budget before you start and treat any money lost as the cost of that entertainment.
• Never use money required for bills, food, rent, transport or other essential expenses.
• Set deposit, loss and session-time limits inside every casino account you use. Lowering a limit usually takes effect immediately; raising it often has a cooling-off delay.
• Avoid chasing losses by increasing stakes or playing longer sessions.
• Take regular breaks. Long uninterrupted sessions make it easier to lose track of time and money.
• Never borrow money to gamble and never gamble with credit.
• Do not gamble when distressed, tired, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Keep gambling separate from other activities; avoid playing while working, studying or caring for others.

Self-Exclusion, Cool-Off Periods and Account Tools

Most reputable online casinos offer built-in responsible-gambling tools in the account settings or “Responsible Gaming” section:

• Deposit limits – daily, weekly or monthly caps on how much you can add to your account.
• Loss or wager limits – caps on net losses or total amount wagered in a period.
• Session timers and reality checks – reminders or automatic log-outs after a set playing time.
• Cool-off / time-out periods – temporary blocks (usually 24 hours to several weeks) during which you cannot log in or deposit.
• Self-exclusion – longer-term account closure (months to permanent). Once activated, the exclusion cannot normally be reversed early.

For Australian-licensed interactive wagering services there is also a single national register:

BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register
Free registration at betstop.gov.au excludes you from all Australian-licensed online and telephone wagering providers for a minimum of three months up to a lifetime. Licensed operators must close existing accounts, refuse new accounts and stop marketing. Note that BetStop does not cover offshore casino sites; for those you need individual operator self-exclusion plus device-level blocking tools.

Device-Level Blocking Tools

Software that blocks gambling websites and apps on your own devices adds an extra barrier, especially useful for offshore sites:

• BetBlocker – free, charity-supported tool available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and other platforms. Blocks tens of thousands of gambling sites and apps.
• Gamban – paid multi-device blocking software with strong uninstall resistance and broad coverage of licensed and offshore gambling sites.

These tools work best when combined with operator self-exclusion and, where possible, bank or card-level gambling transaction blocks.

Help for Australian Residents

Free, confidential support is available 24 hours a day:

• Gambling Help Online – counselling, information and referral. Phone 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au (online chat and email also available).
• Lifeline – crisis support: 13 11 14.
• 13YARN – culturally safe crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: 13 92 76.
• National Debt Helpline – free financial counselling if gambling has created money problems: 1800 007 007.

Reset app – free, confidential self-help app developed with the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation. It uses evidence-based techniques to help you understand triggers, manage urges and set goals to reduce or stop gambling. Available at resetapp.com.au and on major app stores.

Warning Signs – When to Seek Help Immediately

Hiding spending, borrowing to gamble, chasing losses, losing sleep over gambling, neglecting responsibilities, or repeatedly breaking self-imposed limits are all reasons to stop playing and contact support rather than continue. Help is free, confidential and available at any time.

Age Restrictions

Gambling is intended for adults only. In Australia the general minimum gambling age is 18. Always check the legal age and availability rules for the specific activity and jurisdiction before participating.