Responsible Gambling

Pokies are entertainment with a built-in cost. Every game has a house edge, it doesn’t go away, and no strategy removes it. Over time, the longer you play, the more you lose. That’s how the games are designed.

If you play, play with money you can afford to lose, and stop when it stops being fun.

Setting limits before you start

• Decide your budget before you play, not during. Treat it as the cost of the entertainment, not money you expect to get back.
• Set a deposit limit in your casino account. Most casinos let you cap deposits per day, week or month. Lowering a limit usually takes effect immediately; raising it usually takes a waiting period.
• Set a time limit. Session reminders and loss limits are available at most sites.
• Never chase losses. Trying to win back what you’ve lost is the fastest way to lose more.
• Don’t gamble with money meant for something else, like rent, bills or groceries.
• Don’t gamble when you’re upset, stressed or drinking.

Warning signs

It may be time to stop, or to talk to someone, if you:

• spend more money or time than you planned
• chase losses or borrow money to gamble
• hide your gambling from people close to you
• feel anxious, guilty or irritable about gambling
• gamble to escape stress or problems
• find gambling affects your work, relationships or sleep

Blocking gambling

Your bank. CommBank, Westpac, NAB, ANZ and most other Australian banks let you block gambling transactions in your banking app. This stops deposits by card and, at many banks, by PayID and other transfers to gambling merchants.

Blocking software. Apps such as Gamban (paid) and BetBlocker (free) block access to gambling sites and apps across your devices.

Casino self-exclusion. Every casino we list offers account self-exclusion for a set period or permanently. Contact support or use the responsible gambling section of your account.

BetStop. BetStop is Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register. It blocks you from Australian licensed online and phone wagering services. It does not cover offshore online casinos, so if pokies are the problem, combine it with a bank block and blocking software.

Where to get help

Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential counselling by phone, live chat and email, 24/7. 1800 858 858 · gamblinghelponline.org.au

National Debt Helpline offers free financial counselling if gambling has left you in debt. 1800 007 007 · ndh.org.au

Lifeline offers 24/7 crisis support if you’re feeling overwhelmed. 13 11 14 · lifeline.org.au

Gambling Help Online also supports family and friends of people affected by gambling.

Under 18s

Gambling is for adults only. Everyone who opens a casino account must be 18 or over, and casinos verify age before paying out. If children use your devices, parental control software and gambling blocks keep casino sites out of reach.

Our approach

We won’t tell you pokies are a way to make money, and we won’t publish “strategies” that claim to beat the house edge.