Responsible Gaming

Gambling can be an enjoyable leisure activity when it is planned, affordable and kept within reasonable limits. Before you play, decide how much time and money you are comfortable spending. Only gamble with money that remains available after essential expenses, savings and other financial commitments have been covered. Never use money intended for rent, mortgage payments, food, bills, education or other necessities.

All gambling outcomes are determined by chance or by the rules of the relevant game. Previous results do not make a future result more or less likely. A losing streak does not mean a win is due, and a previous win does not predict what will happen next. There is no guaranteed method for winning, and no betting pattern can remove the risk of loss.

Practical ways to stay in control

• Set a budget before you start and do not exceed it.
• Set a time limit and take regular breaks from play.
• Treat gambling as a cost of entertainment, not as a source of income.
• Avoid gambling when you are upset, tired, stressed or under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
• Do not borrow money, use credit or sell possessions to fund gambling.
• Never gamble with money needed for household expenses or other financial commitments.
• Accept losses and do not chase them by placing larger or additional wagers.
• Keep gambling separate from other spending where possible.
• Talk with someone you trust if you are unsure whether your gambling is remaining within safe limits.

Gambling should not interfere with your relationships, work, study, health, sleep or other activities that matter to you. If losing an amount would cause financial difficulty or emotional distress, that amount is too high to use for gambling. Wins should not be treated as regular income, and gambling should never be relied upon to pay bills or resolve financial problems.

Do not gamble to escape stress, loneliness or difficult emotions. Gambling may provide a short-term distraction, but it does not resolve the underlying issue and can create additional financial or personal pressure. Consider taking a break and speaking with someone you trust if gambling is becoming your main way of coping.

Planning your gambling in advance is one of the simplest ways to reduce risk. Depending on the features available on your account, you may be able to use controls relating to deposits, losses, wagering, session duration or account access. These tools are intended to support your decisions, but they work best when limits are realistic, set before you play and treated as firm boundaries.

Financial and time limits

Consider setting a daily, weekly or monthly amount that you can afford to lose, together with a maximum session length. A limit should reflect your complete gambling activity and not the amount you hope to win. Once a limit has been reached, stop gambling rather than changing it to continue playing. Depending on the control selected, a change may not take effect immediately and may be subject to applicable procedures.

Taking a break

If you feel that you are playing too often or finding it difficult to stop, consider taking a temporary break. A cooling-off period, account restriction or permanent self-exclusion may provide additional time to regain control. A request to close or restrict an account should be made before placing further wagers. Do not open another account or use another person's account to avoid a restriction.

Reducing temptation

• Remove saved payment methods where practical.
• Avoid keeping gambling funds readily available.
• Turn off promotional messages if they encourage you to play more than planned.
• Use device or banking controls that help limit access to gambling services.
• Keep a record of deposits, withdrawals, time spent and overall results.
• Take a complete break if you notice that limits are becoming difficult to follow.
• Avoid gambling on shared devices where other people, including children, could access your account.

Account controls are not a substitute for professional advice. If you are concerned about your gambling, seek support as early as possible. You do not need to wait until a serious problem has developed before speaking with a counsellor, support service or trusted person.

Problem gambling can develop gradually and may affect anyone, regardless of age, income, experience or background. Some people continue gambling even when it causes financial pressure, conflict, anxiety or difficulty meeting responsibilities. Recognising warning signs early can make it easier to take action and seek appropriate support.

Possible warning signs

• Spending more time or money gambling than you intended.
• Feeling restless, irritable or preoccupied when you are not gambling.
• Increasing the amount of a wager to achieve the same excitement.
• Trying repeatedly to recover losses by gambling more.
• Hiding or minimising gambling from family, friends or colleagues.
• Borrowing money, using credit or selling belongings to continue gambling.
• Missing work, study, appointments or important responsibilities.
• Arguing with people close to you about gambling or money.
• Feeling guilt, shame, anxiety or low mood after gambling.
• Gambling to escape problems, loneliness, stress or difficult emotions.
• Finding that attempts to cut down or stop have not worked.
• Using money needed for household expenses or other essential purposes.

Changes in behaviour and wellbeing

• Checking gambling services repeatedly or thinking about gambling for much of the day.
• Neglecting sleep, health, relationships or other interests because of gambling.
• Feeling unable to enjoy activities that do not involve gambling.
• Continuing to gamble after deciding to stop or reduce your activity.
• Becoming secretive about account activity, deposits or withdrawals.
• Experiencing financial stress, unpaid bills or difficulty meeting commitments.
• Feeling that a win is needed to solve an urgent personal or financial problem.
• Using gambling as the main response to sadness, anxiety, anger or boredom.

One warning sign may be enough to justify taking a break and reviewing your gambling. Several signs, or any impact on your safety, finances, relationships or wellbeing, indicate that additional support may be useful. Be honest about your gambling activity and consider telling a trusted person what is happening. Keeping the issue private can make it harder to change.

If gambling is linked with thoughts of self-harm, hopelessness, threats, violence or immediate danger, stop gambling and seek urgent help through appropriate emergency or crisis services in your area. Your safety and the safety of others come first.

Confidential support is available in Australia through gambling counselling and information services, including services operating nationally and in each state or territory. These services can provide information, counselling and practical guidance for people who gamble, as well as partners, family members and friends affected by gambling. You can seek help whether your gambling is occasional, increasing or already causing serious harm.

A counsellor can help you understand your gambling, create a practical plan, manage urges, address financial concerns and rebuild routines or relationships. Support is not limited to people who have lost large amounts of money. Early advice can help prevent a difficult situation from becoming more serious.

Requesting a restriction or self-exclusion

If you want to stop using your account, contact the available customer support channel and clearly request an account restriction, closure or self-exclusion. State whether you want a temporary break or a permanent exclusion where that option is available. A request should include enough information to identify your account, but you should not send passwords, payment card details or other sensitive information through an unsecured channel.

After requesting self-exclusion, do not attempt to create another account or continue gambling through an alternative account. If you receive gambling communications during a break, avoid engaging with them and use the available preference or contact options to report the issue. Account access and promotional activity may be subject to operational checks and applicable rules.

Protecting young people and other people

Gambling services are intended for adults who meet the applicable legal requirements. Do not allow children or other unauthorised people to access your account. Keep account credentials private, use device security features and supervise access to shared devices. If you believe another person has accessed your account, change your password and contact support promptly.

Responsible gambling is a shared effort. The Pokies Casino encourages players to make informed decisions, use available account controls and ask for support when needed. The Pokies Casino may apply account checks, restrictions or other measures in accordance with applicable requirements and its published terms. Nothing on this page replaces the need to read the relevant terms or seek independent professional advice about your circumstances.