Responsible Gaming

Gamble for entertainment

Gambling involves risk, and there is no guaranteed way to win. Outcomes are determined by chance and past results do not predict future results. A win does not mean that another win is due, and a loss does not create an obligation or opportunity to keep playing. Treat every amount you gamble as money that may be lost.

Before you play, decide whether gambling is suitable for your personal circumstances. You should only gamble with money you can afford to lose after essential expenses and financial commitments have been covered. Do not use money set aside for rent, mortgage payments, bills, food, education, savings or other important needs. Gambling should not affect your ability to meet your responsibilities.

Set a plan before you start

A clear plan can make it easier to stay in control. Decide how much time and money you are comfortable spending before beginning a session, and follow those decisions even if the session does not go as expected. Consider setting both a spending limit and a time limit. When either limit is reached, end the session and take a break.

• Only gamble with disposable income, never with borrowed money or funds needed for essential expenses.
• Set a budget that reflects your financial circumstances and review it regularly.
• Use a timer or another reminder to keep track of how long you have been playing.
• Take regular breaks and avoid gambling when you are tired, upset, stressed or under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
• Do not chase losses by increasing stakes or playing for longer than planned.
• Keep gambling separate from financial planning, saving and paying household expenses.
• Avoid making gambling decisions when experiencing strong emotions or pressure from other people.

Never view gambling as a source of income, a method of repaying debt or a solution to financial difficulty. If you are gambling to escape personal problems or to change your mood, consider taking a complete break and speaking with someone you trust.

Know the warning signs

Gambling can become harmful gradually. A person may begin by spending more time or money than intended and later find it difficult to reduce or stop. Recognising early warning signs can help you take action before the effects become more serious. You do not need to wait for a crisis before asking for support.

Questions to consider

• Do you spend more money or time gambling than you planned?
• Do you find it difficult to stop or take a break once you start?
• Do you return to gambling to try to win back money you have lost?
• Do you hide or minimise how much you gamble from family, friends or other people?
• Have you borrowed money, sold belongings or missed payments because of gambling?
• Does gambling interfere with work, study, sleep, relationships or daily responsibilities?
• Do you feel restless, irritable or preoccupied when you are not gambling?
• Do you gamble more when you feel stressed, lonely, bored, anxious or low?
• Have you tried to cut back or stop but been unable to maintain the change?
• Do you feel regret, shame or distress after gambling, but continue to play?

If any of these questions feel familiar, consider stopping gambling and seeking independent support. Talking about the issue early can make it easier to regain control. Support may also be useful if your gambling is affecting someone close to you, even when that person is not the one gambling.

Avoid common thinking traps

It is common to believe that a particular game, machine or outcome is due because it has not happened recently. This is not a reliable way to predict results. It is also easy to believe that a previous loss can be recovered by continuing to play, or that a near win means success is more likely next time. These beliefs can encourage longer sessions and larger bets. Remember that each outcome is independent and that no strategy can remove the risk of loss.

Tools to help you stay in control

Depending on the services available on the site and the requirements that apply to your account, you may be able to use responsible gambling controls. These tools are intended to help you follow a decision you have already made. They should be considered before you begin playing, rather than only after a session has become difficult to manage.

• Deposit or spending limits can help restrict the amount you add or use over a selected period.
• Session or time reminders can help you monitor how long you have been active.
• Activity information can help you review deposits, withdrawals, wagers and playing history.
• Temporary breaks can provide time away from gambling without requiring a permanent decision.
• Self-exclusion can restrict access for a chosen period or in accordance with the applicable process.
• Account closure may be appropriate when you want to stop using the service.

Read the information shown with each control carefully, including when a change takes effect and whether it can be amended during the selected period. A limit or break may not apply immediately in every circumstance. If you need a restriction to be put in place, request it through the account or support process available on the site and do not continue gambling while waiting for confirmation.

Self-exclusion and account restrictions

Self-exclusion is a serious step for people who want to stop gambling. If you choose self-exclusion, provide clear information through the available process and follow the instructions provided. Do not open another account, use another person’s account or ask someone else to gamble on your behalf. These actions can undermine the restriction and may create additional financial or personal harm.

If you believe your account needs an immediate restriction, stop playing and use the responsible gambling or account support options available on the site. You can also ask a trusted person to help you manage access to money, devices or gambling-related communications while you seek further support.

Getting help and protecting others

You are not alone if gambling is causing stress, financial difficulty or conflict. In Australia, confidential help is available through gambling support services, including Gambling Help Online, as well as through state and territory services, qualified counsellors, psychologists, financial counsellors and health professionals. A support service can help you understand your options, create a practical plan and discuss the impact on you or your family. You do not need to have a diagnosis or a large debt to ask for assistance.

If you are worried about someone else’s gambling, choose a calm time to talk. Focus on what you have noticed and how it affects you, rather than using blame or threats. Encourage the person to seek professional assistance, while remembering that you cannot control another adult’s choices. Support is also available for family members, partners and friends affected by gambling.

Practical steps if gambling is causing harm

1. Stop gambling and take a break from gambling-related websites, applications and advertising.
2. Tell a trusted person what is happening so you are not managing the situation alone.
3. Review your bank accounts, bills and other financial commitments.
4. Contact a qualified financial counsellor if gambling has contributed to debt or missed payments.
5. Use available account limits, breaks, self-exclusion or closure options.
6. Seek support from Gambling Help Online, a local gambling support service or a health professional.
7. If you feel at immediate risk of harming yourself or someone else, contact emergency services or attend the nearest emergency department.

Pokies123 encourages players to act early and to use independent support where appropriate. Information on this page is general and is not a substitute for financial, legal, medical or psychological advice. Responsible gambling decisions should take account of your own circumstances, the laws that apply where you are located and any requirements that apply to the service.

Age and legal responsibility

You must be at least 18 years old and legally permitted to use gambling services in your location. Do not allow children or other unauthorised people to access your account. Keep account credentials private, use suitable device security and log out when you finish. Parents and carers should consider using device, payment and account controls to reduce the chance of a young person accessing gambling content.

By gambling, you accept that outcomes are uncertain and that losses are possible. The safest choice for anyone who is not comfortable with these risks is not to gamble. If gambling no longer feels like entertainment, stop and seek support.