Setting Gambling Limits and Getting Help in Australia
The most effective gambling limits are set before you start, written down and kept through wins and losses. If gambling is already causing harm, you can call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 at any hour, free and in confidence. You don't need to be in crisis to call, and family and friends can call too.
What gambling limits should you set?
Set a money limit and a time limit before you start, and stop when you reach either one. NSW government guidance advises deciding how much you can afford to lose and how long you will spend before you begin, then stopping at that point, ahead or behind. Its lower-risk guide is shown below, along with other practical limits.
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly spending | About 2% of take-home pay | NSW Government |
| How often | No more than once a week | NSW Government |
| Number of gambling types | No more than 2 | NSW Government |
| Borrowing to gamble | None: no credit cards, loans or buy now, pay later | NSW Government |
| Alcohol and other drugs | None while gambling | NSW Government |
How do you stick to a gambling limit?
You stick to a limit by making it hard to change once play has started. These steps can help:
- Pay rent, bills and groceries first, and keep gambling money apart from household money.
- Decide on the amount while calm, not during a session.
- Set a phone alarm for your time limit and leave when it sounds.
- Take regular breaks, away from the screen or machine.
- Treat the amount as the price of entertainment, and count it as spent when you begin.
- Tell someone you trust what your limit is.
Should you try to win back gambling losses?
No, trying to win back losses tends to make them larger. As NSW guidance notes, losses don't make a future win more likely, so the right move at your limit is to leave. Gambling is not a source of income and it is not a way out of debt. Our guide to RTP and volatility shows the maths behind that.
What are the warning signs of gambling harm?
Warning signs of gambling harm include spending more time or money than you meant to, chasing losses and hiding your gambling from others. These are drawn from healthdirect, the government-funded health information service.
| Area | Warning signs |
|---|---|
| Behaviour | Spending more time and money than intended; trying to win back losses; lying about how much you gamble |
| Mood | Irritability or restlessness when trying to stop; gambling to cope with stress or bad moods; personality or mood changes |
| Money | Borrowing often or holding multiple loans; unpaid bills; going without food or household essentials; missing money or valuables; relying on others after large losses |
| Life | Conflict with others; missing important events; poor performance at work or school; more sick days; withdrawing from family or work; increased alcohol or drug use |
One or two of these is enough reason to talk to someone. You don't have to wait until things get worse.
Where can you get gambling help in Australia?
You can get free, confidential gambling help in Australia from Gambling Help Online, by phone or online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Counsellors can also connect you with services near you and arrange an interpreter.
| Service | Contact | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Gambling Help Online | 1800 858 858; chat and email at gamblinghelponline.org.au | Counselling for anyone affected by gambling, 24/7 |
| Lifeline | 13 11 14; text 0477 13 11 14 | Crisis support and suicide prevention |
| National Debt Helpline | 1800 007 007 | Financial difficulty and debt |
| SHARC family and friends helpline | 1300 660 068 | People affected by someone else's gambling or substance use |
| 13YARN | 13 92 76 | Culturally safe support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people |
| Emergency | 000 | If someone is in immediate danger |
What does BetStop cover?
BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, covers all Australian licensed online and phone wagering providers in one registration. It is free and run by the Australian Government, and exclusion lasts from a minimum of 3 months up to a lifetime. Providers can't let a registered person open an account or bet, they must close existing accounts, and they must stop marketing to that person.
BetStop has clear limits. Its terms of use say it doesn't cover in-person betting, including casinos or pokie venues, or online services that are not licensed. It won't stop an offshore casino accepting you. You can extend your exclusion at any time. Early cancellation is available only after at least 3 months, requires a Commonwealth statutory declaration confirming you have seen a counsellor or GP, and takes effect 7 days after a valid application. BetStop support is on 1800 238 786.
How do you exclude yourself from pokie venues?
You exclude yourself from pokie venues through a separate venue program, because BetStop doesn't reach them. Rules differ between states and territories. Gambling Help Online explains how self-exclusion works, and a counsellor on 1800 858 858 can help you find the program for your area.
How can you help someone with a gambling problem?
You can help someone with a gambling problem by raising it calmly, without blame, and getting support for yourself as well. Gambling Help Online counsellors speak with family and friends directly, and SHARC runs a dedicated helpline. If you are worried about someone's safety, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 000 in an emergency. More services are on our responsible gambling page.
Written by the Australian Online Pokies Hub Editorial Team.