Online pokies and casino games are designed as entertainment. They are not a reliable way to make money. The mathematics of every game guarantees that the house wins over the long run — this is not a flaw in the system, it is how it is designed. This page exists because we believe every player deserves to understand both the risks and the support options available to them before they deposit a single dollar.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling does not look the same for everyone, but these are the most consistent warning signs. If you recognise three or more of the following in yourself or someone you know, professional support is worth seeking:

• Spending more money or time gambling than you originally intended
• Returning to gamble the next day to win back money you lost — known as chasing losses
• Lying to family members or friends about how much time or money you spend gambling
• Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
• Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when you try to reduce or stop gambling
• Gambling to escape problems, relieve stress, or cope with difficult emotions
• Missing work, study, or family commitments because of gambling
• Continuing to gamble despite repeated attempts to stop or cut back
• Thinking about gambling constantly — planning the next session, reliving past wins, working out how to get more money to gamble
• Gambling with money set aside for rent, bills, groceries, or other necessities

 

The Self-Assessment Test

These five questions are adapted from validated gambling harm screening tools. Answer honestly — no one else will see your answers.

Question	Yes	No
Have you ever needed to gamble with increasing amounts of money to feel the same excitement?
Have you ever returned to gambling the day after losing, trying to win back what you lost?
Have you ever hidden your gambling from family, friends, or your partner?
Have gambling losses ever created serious financial problems for you?
Have you ever felt restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling?

 If you answered yes to two or more: it is worth speaking with a gambling counsellor. The services below are free, confidential, and available right now.

 

Free Support Services in Australia

Service	Phone	Website	Available
Gambling Help Online	1800 858 858	gamblinghelponline.org.au	24/7 — phone, chat, video
Gambler’s Help	1800 858 858	gamblershelp.com.au	24/7
Lifeline	13 11 14	lifeline.org.au	24/7 crisis support
Financial Counselling Australia	1800 007 007	financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au	Mon–Fri 9am–8pm
Beyond Blue	1300 22 4636	beyondblue.org.au	24/7
BetStop (Self-Exclusion)	—	betstop.gov.au	Online registration 24/7

 

Self-Exclusion Options

BetStop — National Register for Australian-Licensed Operators

BetStop is Australia’s national self-exclusion register, operated by ACMA. Registering with BetStop excludes you from all Australian-licensed wagering operators (Sportsbet, Bet365, Ladbrokes, TAB, and all others) through a single registration.

• How to register: Visit betstop.gov.au, create an account, verify your identity via myGovID, and choose your exclusion period (1, 2, 3, 5, 7 years, or permanent).
• Important limitation: BetStop covers Australian-licensed operators only. Offshore online casinos are not legally required to participate. If you need to stop using offshore sites, use the casino’s own self-exclusion tool (see below) or Gamban.

 

Casino Self-Exclusion — Individual Offshore Casinos

Every reputable offshore casino offers a self-exclusion tool in the account settings or via live chat. To self-exclude from a specific casino:

1. Log into your casino account
2. Go to Responsible Gambling or Account Settings
3. Select Self-Exclusion or Account Closure
4. Choose your exclusion period
5. Confirm — the casino should process this within 24 hours and return any remaining balance

Important: If you cannot find the self-exclusion option, contact live chat directly and request it. Reputable casinos are required by their licence conditions to honour self-exclusion requests.

Gamban — Device-Level Blocking

Gamban is software that blocks access to gambling websites and apps across all devices — phone, tablet, and computer. Unlike casino-specific exclusions, Gamban operates at the device level and blocks all gambling sites simultaneously. Visit gamban.com for details. It is not free but costs significantly less than a single gambling session.

 

How to Set Limits Before You Play

Setting limits before you deposit is more effective than trying to stop during a session. These tools are available at every casino on our recommended list:

Limit Type	What It Does	Where to Set It
Deposit Limit	Caps how much you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly	Account Settings → Responsible Gambling
Loss Limit	Stops you playing once you have lost a set amount in a period	Account Settings → Responsible Gambling
Session Limit	Logs you out automatically after a set time	Account Settings → Session Controls
Reality Check	Pops up during play showing time spent and money wagered	Account Settings → Notifications
Cooling-Off Period	Temporary suspension — typically 24 hours to 30 days	Account Settings or via Live Chat
Self-Exclusion	Permanent or long-term account block	Account Settings or via Live Chat

📌  Setting a deposit limit takes effect immediately. Increasing a deposit limit is typically subject to a 24-hour cooling-off period — this deliberate delay protects you from impulsive decisions during a losing session.

 

A Note on This Site

Online Pokies Australia recommends offshore casino sites and earns commissions when readers deposit at them. We disclose this clearly on every page. We also believe that publishing this responsible gambling page — with real phone numbers, honest self-assessment questions, and genuine self-exclusion instructions — is not contradictory to that commercial relationship. Players who gamble within their means and understand the risks are better players. Players who lose more than they can afford stop playing entirely.

If gambling is causing harm to you or someone you know, please use the resources above. This page will always be here. The casinos will always be there. The help services matter more.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is online gambling addictive?

For most people, online gambling is entertainment with no lasting harm. For a minority, it develops into problem gambling — a clinically recognised condition with established treatment pathways. The features that make modern pokies engaging (near misses, variable rewards, fast session pace) are the same features that increase addiction risk for vulnerable individuals.

Can I get help anonymously?

Yes. Gambling Help Online (1800 858 858 and online chat) does not require you to give your name. All services listed on this page are confidential.

What if I cannot afford gambling counselling?

Every service on this page is free. Gambling Help Online, Lifeline, and Gambler’s Help are all government-funded and free of charge. Financial Counselling Australia can also help with gambling-related debt at no cost.

Does BetStop work for offshore casino sites?

No. BetStop covers Australian-licensed operators only. For offshore sites, use the individual casino’s self-exclusion tool or install Gamban on all your devices.