Free, confidential help, 24/7
If gambling is harming you or someone you care about, help is there for you right now. Ring Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858, a service that's free, confidential and open around the clock, every single day of the year. There's also online chat at gamblinghelponline.org.au. The service is for adults aged 18 and over.
Gambling is entertainment, not income
The healthiest way to look at gambling is as paid entertainment, no different from buying a ticket to a show. You spend a set amount because you enjoy it, not because you expect to come away richer. Every game carries a built-in house edge, so across the long run the maths simply isn't in your favour. Using gambling to earn money, pay bills or win back past losses is a habit that usually ends badly.
Sort out your expectations before you ever deposit a cent: think of what you put in as the cost of the entertainment, and think of any win as a pleasant surprise rather than something you can rely on.
Set your limits before you play
The most valuable habit of all is deciding your limits while your head is clear, before a session starts rather than partway through it. Some worthwhile limits to set include:
- Deposit limits: a ceiling on how much you'll top up your account with over a day, week or month.
- Loss limits: a firm figure for how much you're willing to lose. When you hit it, you stop, with no exceptions.
- Time limits: a fixed length for each session, so a quick spin doesn't quietly turn into hours.
Never gamble with money set aside for rent, bills, food or your family. Never borrow in order to gamble, and never chase a loss by staking more. Trying to recover what's already gone is one of the fastest ways for things to spiral.
Warning signs of problem gambling
Problem gambling usually creeps up gradually rather than hitting all at once, so being honest with yourself about where you stand really matters. Among the more common warning signs are:
- Putting more money or more time into gambling than you'd intended.
- Chasing losses, that is, staking more in an effort to win back what's already gone.
- Dipping into money that was meant for rent, bills or other essentials.
- Borrowing cash, selling possessions or lying to people so you can keep gambling.
- Feeling tense, irritable or restless any time you try to cut back or quit.
- Hiding the extent of your gambling from family or friends.
- Allowing work, study, relationships or hobbies to slip because of gambling.
- Reaching for gambling as an escape from stress, low mood or other problems.
If any of that rings true, please don't put it off. Reaching out early rather than late makes a real difference, and the support listed below is free and confidential.
Tools the casinos offer
Any casino worth recommending includes tools that help players stay in control. You'll find these in your account settings or in the site's own responsible-gambling area:
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| Deposit limits | Caps what you're able to deposit within a day, week or month. |
| Loss & wager limits | Puts a ceiling on how much you can lose or stake over a set period. |
| Reality checks | Sends pop-up reminders showing how long you've been playing. |
| Cooling-off periods | Locks you out for a short, defined break of hours, days or weeks. |
| Self-exclusion | Shuts off your account for months, years or for good. |
Confirming that these tools are present and easy to use is a routine part of how we review a casino, and any site that hides them deep in menus loses marks in our assessment.
Where to get help in Australia
No one has to face this on their own. Free, professional and confidential support is available to anyone in Australia affected by gambling, be it their own play or that of a friend or family member.
- Gambling Help Online: call 1800 858 858, free and open 24/7. Phone counselling, online chat and email support can all be reached at gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Every form of gambling carries risk and is strictly for adults aged 18 and over. The moment it stops being fun, take a step back and reach out for support.