Responsible Gambling: Limits, Signs and Help
Who can use Australian Online Pokies Hub?
Australian Online Pokies Hub is only for people aged 18 and over, including its free demos. Gambling carries a real risk of financial and personal harm. It is entertainment that costs money, and it is not a source of income or a way to recover losses. If you are under 18, please leave this site.
Where can you get gambling help in Australia right now?
Call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 for free, confidential support, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also use its online chat or email at gamblinghelponline.org.au. You don't need to be in crisis, and you don't have to give up gambling to get help. A counsellor can also arrange an interpreter.
| Service | Contact | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Gambling Help Online | 1800 858 858; online chat and email | Counselling for people affected by gambling, and for their family and friends, 24/7 |
| BetStop | betstop.gov.au; 1800 238 786 | National self-exclusion from licensed Australian online and phone wagering |
| Lifeline | 13 11 14; text 0477 13 11 14 | Crisis support and suicide prevention |
| National Debt Helpline | 1800 007 007 | Help with financial difficulty and debt |
| SHARC family and friends helpline | 1300 660 068 | For people affected by someone else's gambling or substance use |
| Medicare Mental Health | 1800 595 212 | Advice and local mental health services |
| 13YARN | 13 92 76 | Culturally safe support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people |
| Emergency services | 000 | If you or someone else is in immediate danger |
What gambling limits should you set?
Set a money limit and a time limit before you start, and stop at either one, ahead or behind. These practical steps follow NSW government guidance:
- Decide what you can afford to lose. As a lower-risk guide, keep weekly spending to about 2% of take-home pay.
- Gamble no more than once a week, and on no more than two types of gambling.
- Pay essentials first, and keep gambling money separate from household money.
- Never borrow to gamble, including on credit cards, loans or buy now, pay later.
- Take regular breaks, and stay sober when you gamble.
- Once you reach your limit, leave. Losses don't make a win more likely.
Our guide to setting limits and getting help has more detail.
What are the signs of gambling harm?
Signs of gambling harm include spending more than you meant to, chasing losses and hiding your gambling. Healthdirect lists these among the warning signs:
- Spending more time and money on gambling than you intended
- Trying to win back losses
- Lying about how much you gamble
- Gambling to cope with stress or bad moods
- Feeling irritable or restless when you try to stop
- Borrowing often, holding multiple loans or having unpaid bills
- Going without food or household essentials
- Relying on others for money after large losses
- Conflict with family or friends, or withdrawing from them
- Missing important events, or problems at work or school
If any of these sounds familiar, talk to someone. If you recognise them in another person, you can call the same services for advice.
What does BetStop cover and not cover?
BetStop excludes you from all Australian licensed online and phone wagering providers in a single registration. It is a free Australian Government service, and exclusion can run from 3 months up to a lifetime. Its terms of use state that it doesn't cover in-person betting, including casinos or pokie venues, or online services that are not licensed.
| Attribute | Position |
|---|---|
| Covered | All Australian licensed online and phone wagering providers |
| Not covered | In-person betting, including casinos and pokie venues |
| Not covered | Online services that are not licensed, including illegal offshore casinos |
| Exclusion period | 3 months minimum, up to a lifetime |
| Early cancellation | Only after at least 3 months, with a statutory declaration confirming you have seen a counsellor or GP; removal 7 days after a valid application |
| Cost | Free |
How do you exclude yourself from pokie venues?
Pokie venue exclusion runs through separate state and territory programs, because BetStop doesn't reach venues. Gambling Help Online explains how it works, and a counsellor can help you find the right program.
What protections apply on offshore gambling sites?
Australian protections do not apply on illegal offshore gambling sites. ACMA warns that people who use illegal services are not protected by Australian laws and risk losing their money. Deposit and self-exclusion tools an offshore site offers are set by that site, and no Australian regulator enforces them.