In the next 10 minutes
- Stop the session and make no further deposits.
- Withdraw any available cash balance if the account permits it.
- Remove saved cards and payment details.
- Call 1800 858 858 or open confidential online chat.
Australian help and practical safeguards
Take Control Before Gambling Takes It
Gambling is not income, an investment or a solution to debt. This guide explains how to recognise gambling harm, protect your money, use self-exclusion and reach free, confidential support anywhere in Australia.
Information reviewed 20 August 2026. For adults aged 18 and over.
The central fact
Casino Games Are Designed With a House Edge
A win can occur in any session, but it does not change the mathematics of the game. Over repeated play, the house edge gives the operator a built-in advantage. Playing longer, staking more or returning more often puts more money through that disadvantage.
Random outcomes do not remember what happened before. A machine that has not paid recently is not “due”, and a losing streak does not make the next spin more likely to win. Increasing a bet after a loss is not recovery; it is another wager with another possible loss.
RTP is a long-run theoretical percentage calculated across a very large number of rounds. A 96% RTP does not mean that an individual will receive A$96 from a A$100 session. The session may finish ahead, behind or with nothing left.
The only money that is safe from gambling loss is money that is not wagered.
Recognise the change
Warning Signs of Gambling Harm
Gambling harm is not defined by a single dollar amount. The loss of control, secrecy and effect on daily life matter just as much. One serious sign is enough to act.
- 01Spending more money or time than you planned
- 02Returning to gamble in an attempt to win back a loss
- 03Increasing stakes to create the same excitement
- 04Borrowing, using bill money or selling belongings to gamble
- 05Hiding accounts, transactions or losses from people close to you
- 06Feeling restless, angry or anxious when you try to stop
- 07Gambling to escape stress, loneliness, grief or low mood
- 08Losing sleep, missing work or withdrawing from family and friends
- 09Thinking constantly about the next bet, deposit or possible win
- 10Continuing after gambling has damaged your finances or relationships
Do not wait for a crisis, an empty account or a diagnosis. If stopping feels difficult, contact support while you still have space to make a plan.
Make the next decision easier
What to Do When Gambling Feels Out of Control
Do not try to solve gambling harm with another wager. Create distance between the urge, the account and your money.
Today
- Activate a cooling-off period or self-exclusion.
- Ask your bank about a gambling transaction block.
- Delete gambling apps, bookmarks and promotional messages.
- Tell one trusted person what is happening.
This week
- List every debt, bill, deposit and withdrawal honestly.
- Speak with a free financial counsellor before taking another loan.
- Arrange continuing counselling or a GP appointment.
- Replace gambling time with a specific routine and supportive contact.
Before any play
Eight Rules That Reduce Risk
These rules cannot make gambling safe or profitable. They can make limits clearer. Repeatedly breaking them is a reason to stop.
RULE 01
Set a loss limit first
Choose an amount that can disappear without touching rent, food, bills, transport, debt repayments or savings.
RULE 02
Treat the deposit as spent
Do not deposit money that you need to return to your bank account later.
RULE 03
Set an end time
Use an alarm and finish when it rings, whether the balance is up or down.
RULE 04
Never chase a loss
Another bet does not repair the previous result. It creates a new risk.
RULE 05
Do not borrow
Avoid loans, credit, cash advances and money belonging to another person.
RULE 06
Keep a complete record
Count every deposit and withdrawal. One payout does not show whether you are ahead overall.
RULE 07
Avoid gambling when distressed
Do not play when angry, lonely, anxious, exhausted or affected by alcohol or drugs.
RULE 08
Use controls early
Deposit limits, reminders, breaks and self-exclusion work best before the urge becomes overwhelming.
Strong barrier
Self-Exclusion and BetStop
Self-exclusion is a practical safety barrier, not a punishment. BetStop allows eligible Australian residents to exclude themselves from all Australian-licensed online and telephone wagering providers in one process. The minimum selected period is three months.
BetStop does not cover physical casinos, pubs, clubs or unlicensed offshore websites. Venue exclusion and individual account closure may therefore be needed as well.
Layer the protection
Put Barriers Between an Urge and Money
- Ask your bank whether it provides a gambling transaction block.
- Remove saved payment details and reduce transfer limits where appropriate.
- Unsubscribe from promotions and block gambling-related messages.
- Use reputable device-level blocking software where necessary.
- Keep essential bills in a separate account without easy gambling access.
- Ask a trusted person or financial counsellor to help protect shared finances.
Debt needs a plan, not a bet
Protect Bills, Savings and Shared Finances
Do not borrow to recover a gambling loss. Payday loans, credit and cash advances can turn one loss into a longer financial problem. Start with a complete list of bank balances, debts, overdue bills and upcoming essential costs.
Prioritise housing, utilities, food, transport and required repayments. Contact creditors early rather than avoiding notices. A financial counsellor can explain available options, help organise a realistic budget and speak with creditors where appropriate.
If another person’s gambling is affecting shared money, protect your own access to essentials. Change passwords that should be private, review joint-account permissions and seek advice before transferring ownership or taking on another person’s debt.
Contact the National Debt Helpline ↗For partners, relatives and friends
How to Help Someone Without Funding the Gambling
Choose a calm moment and describe specific changes you have noticed. Use clear language about money and behaviour without insults or threats. Listen, but do not agree to provide gambling money or repeatedly cover losses in secret.
Protect shared bills and documents, encourage professional help and take care of your own wellbeing. You cannot force another adult to recover, but you can set boundaries and seek advice for yourself.
The Gambling Helpline supports family members and friends as well as the person who gambles.
A useful first conversation
- “I have noticed that gambling is affecting the bills and your sleep.”
- “I am worried about you. I want to help you contact support.”
- “I cannot lend money for gambling or hide the losses.”
- “We can call 1800 858 858 together, or I can sit with you while you use chat.”
Know the Australian position
Access to a Website Does Not Prove It Is Legal
Under Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act, providers are prohibited from offering certain online gambling services to people in Australia. Prohibited services include online casino games and online pokies.
Australian dollars, local payment methods, a familiar logo or an accessible website do not amount to Australian authorisation. Offshore users may also lack the consumer protections available through regulated local services.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority publishes information about legal services, the licensed interactive wagering register and blocked illegal gambling websites.
Free and confidential
Gambling Help in Australia
You do not need to prove that you have an addiction or wait until the money is gone. Players, family members and friends can ask for support.
Gambling Help Online
1800 858 858Phone and online chat: 24 hours, 7 days
Free, confidential support from professional gambling counsellors for people who gamble, partners, relatives and friends. The site also connects visitors with local services across Australia.
Open confidential supportBetStop
1800 238 786Monday–Friday, 9 am–9 pm AEST/AEDT
Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register. One registration excludes a person from all Australian-licensed online and telephone wagering providers for the selected period.
Open BetStopNational Debt Helpline
1800 007 007Phone: weekdays, 9:30 am–4:30 pm
Free and confidential financial counselling for gambling debt, overdue bills and financial hardship. Online chat is also available on weekdays.
Get financial helpLifeline
13 11 14Call, text and online chat: 24 hours, 7 days
Confidential crisis support when losses, debt or other pressures feel overwhelming. Text 0477 13 11 14 if speaking by phone feels difficult.
Open Lifeline supportImmediate danger
Call Triple Zero
If someone is in immediate danger, has attempted self-harm or cannot stay safe, call emergency services now.
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Read guideClear answers
Responsible Gambling FAQ
01What is responsible gambling?
Responsible gambling means making informed choices, keeping strict limits and accepting that every wager can be lost. It is not a promise that gambling is harmless. If limits repeatedly fail, the safer response is to stop and seek support rather than design a larger budget.
02How do I know if gambling has become a problem?
The amount lost is only one measure. Gambling may be causing harm if it occupies your thoughts, changes your mood, leads to secrecy, affects bills or relationships, or feels difficult to stop. You do not need to meet every sign or receive a diagnosis before asking for help.
03Can a strategy make casino gambling profitable?
No system removes the house edge from a game of chance. Short-term wins can happen, but they do not predict the next outcome or turn gambling into income. Chasing losses, increasing stakes and extending a session expose more money to risk.
04What does BetStop cover?
BetStop covers Australian-licensed online and telephone wagering providers. It does not cover physical venues or unlicensed offshore casino sites. People may also need to close individual accounts, use device-level blocking tools and ask their bank about transaction restrictions.
05Can family or friends contact a support service?
Yes. Gambling Help Online and the Gambling Helpline support anyone affected by gambling harm, including partners, relatives and friends. They can help you plan a conversation, protect shared finances and look after your own wellbeing.
06What should I do about gambling debt?
Stop new gambling transactions first. Avoid payday loans, credit or another wager intended to recover the loss. Gather statements and bills, protect essential payments and call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 for free financial counselling.
07Is online casino gambling legal in Australia?
Australian law prohibits providers from offering certain interactive gambling services to people in Australia, including online casino games and online pokies. Website access, Australian-dollar payments or local branding do not prove that a service is lawful. Check the ACMA information and licensed-provider register before using any online wagering service.
Stop means stop
A Loss Is Not a Reason to Deposit Again
A budget is not a target to spend. A win is not proof of a system. If gambling no longer feels optional, stop now and speak to someone. No bonus or jackpot is worth losing control of your money, health or relationships.
This page provides general information and does not replace medical, legal or financial advice. Contact an appropriate qualified professional for advice about your circumstances.