Responsible Gambling

Last updated: 21 September 2026

Gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. For most people it stays that way, but for some it becomes harder to control, and the speed and constant availability of online casinos can make that happen quickly. This page sets out the tools that help you stay in control, the warning signs that it may be slipping, and where Australians can get free, confidential help at any hour.

If you need to talk to someone now, call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 (24/7, free and confidential) or use the online chat at gamblinghelponline.org.au. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 000 in an emergency.

Principles for Staying in Control

• Decide before you start how much money and time you will spend, and stop when you reach either limit.
• Only gamble with money set aside for entertainment, never with money needed for rent, bills, food or debt repayments.
• Expect to lose. The house edge means the casino wins over time; any win is luck, not income.
• Never chase losses by depositing again or raising your stakes to win back what you have lost.
• Do not gamble to escape stress, boredom, loneliness or low mood, or when you have been drinking.
• Keep gambling in balance with work, family, friends and other interests, and take regular breaks.
• Do not borrow money or use credit to gamble.

Tools Every Casino Should Give You

Licensed online casinos provide account controls, usually under "Responsible Gambling", "Safer Gambling" or your account settings. Set them before your first deposit rather than after a bad session:

• Deposit limits: a daily, weekly or monthly cap on how much you can deposit. Lowering a limit takes effect immediately; raising one usually takes 24 hours or more, which is deliberate.
• Loss and wager limits: caps on how much you can lose or bet over a period.
• Session limits and reality checks: reminders at set intervals showing how long you have played and your net result, or an automatic log-out.
• Time-out: a short break, from 24 hours to several weeks, during which you cannot log in.
• Self-exclusion: closing your account for six months or longer, or permanently. A reputable casino will also stop sending you marketing.

If a casino makes these tools hard to find, slow to apply or easy to reverse, treat that as a serious warning sign about the operator. We check these controls as part of how we rate casinos.

Blocking Gambling Sites and Payments

You can add barriers outside the casino as well. Most major Australian banks let you block gambling transactions on your cards from the banking app, and some let you block them on all accounts; it is one of the most effective steps you can take. Blocking software such as Gamban or BetBlocker stops gambling websites and apps loading on your devices. BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, lets you exclude yourself from all Australian-licensed online and phone wagering providers in one step; note that it covers licensed bookmakers, not offshore casinos, which is why bank blocks and blocking software matter for casino play.

Signs Gambling May Be Becoming a Problem

Ask yourself honestly whether any of these apply:

• You spend more money or time gambling than you intended, or bet more to get the same excitement.
• You chase losses, or gamble to win back money you need.
• You borrow, sell things or use credit to gamble, or bills go unpaid.
• You hide your gambling or lie about it to people close to you.
• You feel restless, anxious or irritable when you try to cut back.
• Gambling is causing arguments, affecting your work or study, or taking over your thoughts.
• You gamble to escape problems or to cope with difficult feelings.

If one or more of these sound familiar, it is worth talking to someone. Gambling problems are common, they are not a sign of weakness and they respond well to support.

Where to Get Help in Australia

• Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858, 24/7 phone counselling, online chat, email support and self-help tools. Free and confidential, for gamblers and the people affected by them.
• BetStop: the National Self-Exclusion Register for Australian-licensed online and phone wagering.
• National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007, free financial counselling if gambling has affected your finances.
• Gam-Anon and Gamblers Anonymous: peer support groups for families and for gamblers.
• Lifeline: 13 11 14, 24/7 crisis support.

Each state and territory also funds free face-to-face gambling help services, which Gambling Help Online can connect you with.

If Someone You Care About Is Gambling Too Much

Gambling harm affects partners, children, family and friends as much as the person gambling. You can contact Gambling Help Online yourself for advice, whether or not the person is ready to seek help. Talk to them at a calm moment, focus on specific behaviour and its effects rather than blame, protect your own finances by separating accounts if necessary, and look after your own wellbeing too.

Protecting Minors

Gambling is for adults only: you must be 18 or over to gamble, and reputable casinos verify age and identity before paying out. If children use your devices, keep casino accounts logged out, do not save passwords in shared browsers and use parental controls or filtering software such as Google Family Link, Apple Screen Time or Microsoft Family Safety to block gambling sites.

Our Commitment

CasinoAU does not market to anyone under 18, carries responsible gambling information on every page and only recommends casinos that offer effective player controls. We will never suggest that gambling is a way to make money or to solve financial problems. If you have concerns about a casino we list, please contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides

• Casino verification – why casinos check your age and identity
• House edge by game – why the casino wins over time
• Gambling and tax – winnings are not income
• Online gambling law in Australia – what the law does and doesn't protect
• About CasinoAU – our commitment to responsible gambling