Responsible Gambling
Gambling is entertainment with a cost. The house always has a mathematical edge, and no strategy changes that. This page exists for the moments when that cost stops feeling manageable.
Warning signs that gambling is becoming a problem
Spending money meant for rent, bills, or groceries
Chasing losses with deposits you hadn't planned
Lying to family or friends about how much you've spent
Feeling anxious or irritable when not gambling
Borrowing money or selling things to fund deposits
Neglecting work, relationships, or health because of gambling sessions
Recognising even one of these doesn't mean you have a disorder. It means something shifted and it's worth paying attention before it gets harder to correct.
Set Limits Before You Play
Deposit limits
Cap how much you can deposit per day, week, or month. Once hit, no more deposits until the next period - no exceptions, no overrides until the cooldown passes.
Session timers
Set a reminder that pops up after 30, 60, or 90 minutes. Easy to dismiss, but the interruption breaks autopilot - that's the point.
Loss limits
Decide the maximum you're willing to lose before the session starts. When it's gone, close the tab. Coming back "just to win it back" is how bad sessions become bad months.
Cooling-off periods
Most casinos let you lock your account for 24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days. Use it when you need a break but aren't ready for permanent self-exclusion.
Self-Exclusion Options
When limits aren't enough, self-exclusion removes access entirely. Australia runs a national register that covers all licensed operators at once.
BetStop is Australia's national self-exclusion register. One registration blocks you from all licensed online gambling providers for a minimum of 3 months, up to a lifetime ban. Visit betstop.gov.au to register.
Individual casino self-exclusion is available through account settings or by contacting support. This blocks only that specific operator - useful if you want to restrict one site without a blanket ban.
Third-party blocking software like Gamban prevents access to gambling sites across all your devices. It works at the network level, so it catches sites that individual casino blocks miss.
Support Resources
Free, confidential help is available 24/7. You don't need to be in crisis to call - these services also help people who just want to talk through whether their habits are healthy.
Gambling Help Online
Free counselling, online chat, and self-assessment tools
1800 858 858
BetStop - National Self-Exclusion
Register once, blocked from all licensed operators
betstop.gov.au
Lifeline Australia
Crisis support and suicide prevention
13 11 14
Gambling Help NZ
Support for New Zealand residents
0800 654 655
For Friends and Family
If someone you care about is gambling more than they can afford, direct confrontation rarely works. What helps is making sure they know support exists without turning it into an ultimatum. Gambling Help Online at 1800 858 858 also takes calls from concerned family members - you don't have to be the person gambling to get advice.
Gambling should stay entertainment. When it stops being fun and starts being something you need, that's the line. Getting help early is easier than getting help late. 18+ only - gamble responsibly.
Last Updated: October 2026