Responsible Gaming

Responsible gambling starts with treating casino play as entertainment rather than as a source of income. Games are based on chance, and outcomes cannot be predicted or controlled. There is no guaranteed strategy for winning, and previous results do not influence future results. You should only gamble with money you can afford to lose after covering your normal living costs, financial commitments and other priorities. Gambling should not be used to pay bills, solve financial problems or replace employment income.

Before you play, consider setting a budget for gambling and deciding how long you intend to stay online. A budget should be separate from rent, mortgage payments, bills, food, transport, savings and money needed by your family. Once your budget or time period has been reached, stop playing. Increasing your spending because you have lost money can make the situation worse and may lead to further losses.

Keep gambling in perspective

• Gamble only for entertainment and never view it as a reliable way to earn money.
• Decide your spending limit before you start and avoid changing it while you are playing.
• Keep track of your deposits, bets, wins and losses rather than relying on memory.
• Take regular breaks and avoid playing when you are tired, upset, stressed or affected by alcohol or other substances.
• Do not borrow money, use essential household funds or sell possessions to gamble.
• Never chase losses by increasing your bets or returning to a game to recover money.
• Avoid gambling while dealing with significant financial, personal or mental health difficulties.
• Do not gamble on behalf of another person, and do not allow another person to use your account.

A win does not mean that you should increase your spending, and a loss does not create an obligation to keep playing. Taking a pause can help you make decisions calmly. If gambling is no longer fun, feels difficult to control or is causing worry, stopping is the safest choice. You can also talk with a trusted person about the limits you want to set and the support that may help you maintain them.

Plan before you play

A simple plan can make it easier to stay within your intended limits. Decide how much you can afford to spend, how long you will play and what you will do when that time or amount has been reached. Avoid making these decisions while you are excited, frustrated or trying to recover a loss. Treat your plan as a personal boundary rather than a target that can be extended.

Problem gambling can develop gradually. It is not defined only by the amount of money lost. Gambling may be a concern when it takes up more time than intended, affects relationships or creates financial and emotional stress. Some people experience harm even when they are still winning, particularly if gambling is interfering with work, study, sleep or family responsibilities.

Possible warning signs

• Spending more time or money gambling than you planned.
• Feeling restless, irritable or anxious when trying to stop or reduce gambling.
• Thinking about gambling frequently or planning your day around it.
• Trying to win back losses or believing a win is due after a series of losses.
• Hiding gambling activity, deposits or losses from family, friends or colleagues.
• Borrowing money, missing payments or using credit to continue gambling.
• Gambling to escape stress, sadness, loneliness, anger or other difficult feelings.
• Neglecting work, study, health, relationships or other responsibilities.
• Feeling regret, guilt or distress after gambling but continuing to play.
• Attempting to stop several times without being able to maintain the change.

If any of these signs feel familiar, consider stopping gambling and speaking with someone you trust. You do not need to wait until a problem becomes severe before asking for help. An independent gambling counsellor, financial counsellor, mental health professional or recognised support service in your state or territory can help you understand your options without judgement.

You may also wish to discuss practical steps with a trusted partner, family member or friend. This could include asking them to help monitor your budget, remove access to spare funds or support a break from gambling. If gambling has contributed to debt, seek independent financial guidance before making repayments, borrowing more money or using essential funds. Avoid taking out new credit to continue gambling or to chase losses.

Getting help early

Asking for help is a sensible step and does not require you to prove that gambling has caused a serious problem. You can start by discussing your concerns with a person you trust or by contacting an independent support service. A counsellor can help you consider account restrictions, financial arrangements, communication with family and other practical steps. Support is available whether you want to stop completely, take a break or understand your gambling more clearly.

If gambling is connected with thoughts of harming yourself or another person, seek urgent help from emergency services or an appropriate crisis support service in your area. Your immediate safety is more important than any gambling account, balance or loss.