Responsible Gambling

Where to Get Help

Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call 1800 858 858 or use the online chat and email services on its website. Counsellors can help you, or someone affected by your gambling, to talk through what is happening and plan next steps. Support is also available face to face through state and territory services.

If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, call 000. Lifeline is available on 13 11 14 at any time.

Warning Signs of Gambling Harm

Gambling harm can develop gradually, and it is often easier for others to notice than for the person gambling. Common warning signs include:

• Spending more money or time on gambling than you intended.
• Chasing losses by betting more to win back what you have lost.
• Borrowing money, selling belongings or missing bills to gamble.
• Feeling anxious, irritable or low when you are not gambling.
• Hiding gambling from family or friends, or lying about it.
• Gambling to escape problems or to cope with stress.
• Arguments at home or problems at work linked to gambling.

If any of these sound familiar, it is worth talking to someone early. You do not need to wait until things feel serious.

Tools That Help You Stay in Control

Most online casinos, including the offshore sites we cover, offer account tools. Set them before you start playing, while your decisions are not influenced by a win or a loss.

1. Deposit limits. Cap how much you can deposit each day, week or month.
2. Loss and wager limits. Limit how much you can lose or stake over a period, where offered.
3. Session reminders. Get a pop-up after a set time so you notice how long you have played.
4. Cooling-off periods. Block your account for a short time, from a day to several weeks.
5. Self-exclusion. Close your account for a long period. Ask support to apply it to any sister sites run by the same operator.

Your bank can help too. Many Australian banks let you block gambling transactions on your cards, and you can set lower daily transfer limits in your banking app. Blocking software for phones and computers can restrict access to gambling websites.

BetStop and Self-Exclusion

BetStop is the National Self-Exclusion Register. Registering blocks you from licensed Australian online and phone wagering providers for a period you choose, from three months to permanently. It is free and run by the Australian Government.

BetStop applies to licensed Australian wagering providers. It does not cover offshore online casinos, so if you play at those sites you should also use each casino's own self-exclusion tools and consider bank-level gambling blocks.

The Legal Position in Australia

The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 makes it an offence to provide real money online casino games, including online pokies, to people in Australia. The Act is aimed at operators rather than players. In practice, the casinos that accept Australians are licensed offshore, which means Australian consumer protections and dispute services generally do not apply to them. The Australian Communications and Media Authority enforces the Act and publishes information about illegal offshore gambling services.

Habits for Safer Play

• Set a budget you can afford to lose and treat it as the cost of entertainment.
• Never gamble with money meant for bills, rent or food.
• Avoid gambling when you are stressed, upset or have been drinking.
• Take regular breaks and keep other activities in your week.
• Do not use gambling to try to solve money problems.

Only adults aged 18 and over may gamble. If you share a device with children, log out after playing and keep payment details secure. For our casino guides, return to the online casino Australia real money homepage.