Responsible Gambling
Responsible gambling means staying in control of the time and money you spend playing. The idea is simple: you play the pokies and casino games for entertainment, not to make money and not to chase back what you have already lost. Treat it as a leisure cost you can afford to lose, like a night out or a footy ticket. This page covers how to set limits, spot the warning signs, and find free, confidential help in Australia if the fun starts to fade.
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Setting limits on your play
Most online casinos let you set your own limits, and it is the easiest way to keep spending in check. Three types are worth knowing:
- Deposit limits cap how much you can pay in per day, week or month. Base the figure on what your budget can handle, not on what you hope to win.
- Loss limits put a ceiling on how much you can lose over a set period, after which play stops.
- Time limits restrict how long a session runs. It is easy to lose track of time on screen, so a reminder or fixed cut-off prompts a break.
Set your limits while you are calm, not partway through a session. If you keep hitting a limit, that is a sign to lower it, not raise it. On most sites a reduction applies straight away, while an increase carries a cooling-off period first.
Warning signs of a gambling problem
Gambling problems tend to start small and build up over time. Take it seriously if any of these sound familiar:
- You chase losses, betting more to win back what you have dropped.
- You play for more than you can comfortably afford.
- You borrow money, or sell things, so you can keep playing.
- You hide how much you gamble from family and friends.
- You play to escape stress, worry or low moods.
- You have tried to stop or cut back and could not.
If you recognise yourself in more than one, there is no reason to wait. Dealing with it early makes it far easier to turn around.
Take a break or self-exclude
Sometimes the best move is to step away for a while, and most sites let you do exactly that:
- Take a break: a short cool-down, anywhere from 24 hours to a few weeks, where your account is locked so you cannot play.
- Self-exclusion: a longer shut-out, usually six months or more, during which you cannot log in or deposit.
Australia also runs a free national register called BetStop. Signing up at betstop.gov.au excludes you from every licensed Australian wagering provider in one step, for a period you choose between three months and life, and it also stops their marketing reaching you. You register with a mobile number, an email address and an Australian driver licence or Medicare card.
Where to get help in Australia
If you need someone to talk to, help is free and confidential:
- Gambling Help Online runs the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also chat or email a counsellor at gamblinghelponline.org.au. It supports anyone affected by gambling, including family and friends.
- BetStop at betstop.gov.au is the fastest way to block yourself from licensed Australian operators.
- Lifeline on 13 11 14 offers 24-hour crisis support if gambling has left you feeling overwhelmed or in distress.
You must be 18 or over to gamble in Australia. Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, Australian-licensed companies cannot offer online casino games, so the casino sites you come across operate under overseas licences. Those offshore casinos sit outside the Australian system and are not covered by BetStop, so you will need to set your deposit and loss limits and use the self-exclusion tools on each site directly. If you have questions about anything here, feel free to get in touch or browse the rest of our Australian site.
The main thing to remember is that help is out there and it costs nothing. If you are worried about your own gambling or someone else’s, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 at any hour, or reach Lifeline on 13 11 14. Asking for help is a sign of strength, and usually the first step towards getting back in control.
Where can I get help for gambling problems in Australia?
Call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858, run by Gambling Help Online. It is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it supports gamblers and their family and friends. You can also chat online at gamblinghelponline.org.au, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for crisis support.
What is BetStop and how does it work?
BetStop is Australia's national self-exclusion register, run by the ACMA. Registering for free at betstop.gov.au blocks you from every licensed Australian wagering provider for a period between three months and life, and stops their marketing reaching you. It does not cover offshore online casinos, so use each site's own deposit limits and self-exclusion tools as well.
How do I set limits on my gambling?
Most online casinos let you set deposit, loss and time limits per day, week or month. Decide your limits while you are calm, based on what your budget can afford. A reduction usually applies straight away, while an increase carries a cooling-off period first.
What is the legal gambling age in Australia?
You must be 18 or over to gamble in Australia. Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, Australian-licensed companies cannot offer online casino games, so online casinos operate under overseas licences.
