Responsible Gaming
Gambling Should Be Entertainment, Not a Source of Income
At playaustralianpokies.com, we believe that playing pokies and other casino games should always be a form of entertainment — never a way to earn money, pay off debts, or solve financial problems. The house always has an edge, and over time, gambling costs money. Please only ever gamble with money you can comfortably afford to lose, and treat any winnings as a bonus, not an expectation.
If gambling stops being fun, it's time to stop. This page provides practical tools, warning signs to watch for, and links to professional support services available to Australians in 2026.
Age Verification — 18+ Only
In Australia, you must be at least 18 years old to gamble legally, whether online or at a land-based venue. All operators we review require identity and age verification before allowing real-money play.
If you share your device or household with minors, we strongly recommend:
- Never leaving gambling accounts logged in on shared devices
- Using parental control software (e.g., Net Nanny, Cyber Patrol)
- Keeping payment details and passwords private
- Talking openly with young people about the risks of gambling
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can affect anyone. Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you:
- Chasing losses — gambling more to try to win back money you've lost
- Hiding your gambling from family or friends, or lying about how much you spend
- Borrowing money, selling possessions, or using credit to fund gambling
- Gambling with money meant for rent, bills, groceries, or other essentials
- Spending more time or money gambling than you intended
- Feeling anxious, guilty, depressed, or irritable about your gambling
- Neglecting work, study, or relationships because of gambling
- Using gambling to escape stress, loneliness, or other problems
- Unsuccessfully trying to cut back or stop
If you recognised yourself in one or more of these points, it may be time to take action — see the tools and support services below.
Self-Help Tools
Licensed operators offer a range of tools to help you stay in control. We encourage every player to set limits before they start playing:
- Deposit limits: Cap how much money you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
- Loss limits: Set a maximum amount you're prepared to lose over a set period.
- Session / time limits: Restrict how long you can play in a single session.
- Reality checks: Receive on-screen reminders showing how long you've been playing and how much you've spent.
- Cooling-off periods: Take a short break (24 hours to several weeks) from your account.
- Self-exclusion: Block yourself from gambling entirely for a longer period. Australians can register with BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, to exclude themselves from all licensed online and phone wagering services in one step.
Additional tips: never gamble when upset, tired, or under the influence of alcohol; set a budget and stick to it; and never borrow money to gamble.
Support Organisations
Free, confidential help is available 24/7 across Australia:
- Gambling Help Online — free, confidential counselling, live chat, and support for anyone affected by gambling. Visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au or call 1800 858 858 (24 hours, 7 days).
- BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register — exclude yourself from all Australian-licensed wagering services at www.betstop.gov.au.
- Gamblers Anonymous Australia — peer support meetings nationwide at www.gaaustralia.org.au.
- Lifeline Australia — crisis support and suicide prevention, call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au.
If you're located outside Australia, support is available internationally:
- UK: GamCare (www.gamcare.org.uk) and GamStop self-exclusion (www.gamstop.co.uk)
- Canada: Responsible Gambling Council (www.responsiblegambling.org)
- USA: National Council on Problem Gambling (www.ncpgambling.org) — call or text 1-800-GAMBLER
- Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) — 0800 1 37 27 00
If You Have a Problem, Seek Help Today
Recognising a gambling problem is a sign of strength, not weakness. If gambling is causing you or your loved ones harm, please reach out now — call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au. It's free, confidential, and available around the clock.
Remember: gambling is entertainment. When the fun stops, stop.