Gambling should be optional entertainment—not income, an escape from financial pressure or something you feel unable to stop.
Need help right now?
Gambling Help Online provides free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, anywhere in Australia. If someone is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).
Set limits while the decision is easy
Choose a fixed budget
Use only money set aside for entertainment after essential expenses and savings. Never borrow, use rent money or try to recover a previous loss.
Set a time limit
Decide the finish time before starting. Use an alarm, take regular breaks and stop when the planned time ends, regardless of the result.
Avoid impaired decisions
Do not gamble when distressed, angry, tired or affected by alcohol or other substances. Strong emotion makes limits harder to follow.
Keep the activity visible
Review account statements and bank transactions. Hiding time, spending or losses from people you trust is a warning sign worth acting on.
When gambling may be causing harm
- Spending more time or money than planned.
- Chasing losses or increasing bets to feel the same excitement.
- Borrowing, selling possessions or missing essential payments.
- Hiding gambling activity or lying about money.
- Feeling restless, distressed or angry when trying to stop.
- Gambling affecting sleep, work, study or relationships.
Tools that can create distance
Account controls
Use deposit limits, session reminders, time-outs and self-exclusion where available. Turn off promotional messages and remove saved payment details.
Bank and device blocks
Ask your bank about gambling-transaction blocks. Website-blocking software and app restrictions can add a useful barrier during a break.
Venue or provider exclusion
Self-exclusion options differ across venues, providers and states. Gambling Help Online can direct you to the relevant local service.
BetStop coverage
BetStop is the national register for online and phone wagering providers licensed in Australia. It does not cover online casino games or other gambling services illegally provided in Australia.
Official information: About BetStop
Free Australian help
| Service | What it offers | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Gambling Help Online | Free, confidential counselling and online chat, 24/7 | Online help · 1800 858 858 |
| BetStop | Self-exclusion from Australian-licensed online and phone wagering providers | betstop.gov.au |
| Emergency services | Immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency | Call 000 |
How this site approaches gambling content
Online Pokies Guide is an information publisher, not a gambling operator. We do not accept bets, hold player funds or promise winnings. Our content should never suggest that gambling is a reliable way to earn money or recover debt.
Any future commercial relationship should be disclosed and must not remove material risks, legal context or safer-gambling information from a review.