Gambling is a paid form of entertainment, not a way to make money. Set a budget you can afford to lose, and stop when it is gone. You must be 18 or older to gamble.
Signs to watch for
- Spending more time or money than you planned, or chasing losses
- Borrowing money or using bill money to gamble
- Hiding gambling from family or friends
- Feeling anxious, irritable or low when you are not gambling
Tools that help
- Deposit limits — most casinos let you cap deposits per day, week or month in your account settings.
- Time-outs and reality checks — pause your account for a set period or get a reminder of how long you have played.
- Self-exclusion — close your account for months or permanently. Ask the casino's support team if you cannot find the option.
- BetStop — the National Self-Exclusion Register at betstop.gov.au blocks you from all Australian licensed online and phone wagering providers in one step.
Free, confidential support
- Gambling Help Online — 1800 858 858, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with phone, chat and email counselling.
- Lifeline — 13 11 14, 24-hour crisis support.
Talking to someone early makes a difference. You do not need to have lost a lot of money to ask for help.