Free, confidential help, 24/7
If gambling is hurting you or someone you care about, help is available to you right now. Call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858, a service that is free, confidential and open around the clock, every single day of the year. There is online chat too at gamblinghelponline.org.au. The service is for adults aged 18 and over.
Gambling is entertainment, not income
The healthiest way to view gambling is as paid entertainment, no different from buying a ticket to a show. You part with a set amount because you enjoy it, not because you count on walking away richer. Every game is built with a house edge, so over the long run the maths simply is not on your side. Leaning on gambling to earn money, pay bills or win back past losses is a habit that usually ends badly.
Settle your expectations before you ever deposit a cent: treat what you put in as the price of the entertainment, and treat any win as a pleasant surprise rather than something to rely on.
Set your limits before you play
The single most valuable habit is fixing your limits while your head is clear, before a session starts rather than partway through it. Limits worth setting include:
- Deposit limits: a cap on how much you top up your account with over a day, week or month.
- Loss limits: a firm figure for the most you are prepared to lose. Reach it and you stop, with no exceptions.
- Time limits: a set length for each session, so a quick spin does not quietly stretch into hours.
Never gamble with money earmarked for rent, bills, food or your family. Never borrow in order to gamble, and never chase a loss by wagering more. Trying to win back what has already gone is one of the fastest ways for things to spiral.
Warning signs of problem gambling
Problem gambling tends to build up slowly rather than arrive all at once, so being honest with yourself about where you stand really matters. Some of the more common warning signs include:
- Sinking more money or more time into gambling than you had planned.
- Chasing losses, meaning staking more in an effort to win back what has already gone.
- Reaching into money that was meant for rent, bills or other essentials.
- Borrowing money, selling belongings or lying to people so you can keep gambling.
- Feeling tense, irritable or restless whenever you try to cut back or quit.
- Concealing how much you gamble from family or friends.
- Letting work, study, relationships or hobbies slide because of gambling.
- Turning to gambling as an escape from stress, low mood or other problems.
If any of that sounds familiar, please do not put it off. Getting in touch sooner rather than later makes a real difference, and the support listed below is free and confidential.
Tools the casinos offer
Every casino worth recommending offers tools that help players stay in control. You will 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. |
Checking that these tools are present and easy to use is a routine part of how we review a casino, and any site that buries them deep in menus loses marks in our assessment.
Where to get help in Australia
Nobody has to face this on their own. Free, professional and confidential support is available to anyone in Australia affected by gambling, whether it is 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 are all reachable 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, step back and reach out for support.