Gamble Aware: Responsible Gambling in Australia

Responsible gambling means treating online casino play purely as entertainment, never as a way to make money or escape problems. It involves setting strict limits on time and money, understanding that the house always has a mathematical edge, and being honest with yourself when play stops being fun.

Every licensed casino we recommend on Betsquare is required to provide responsible gambling tools – deposit limits, loss limits, time-outs and self-exclusion. Use them. They are there to protect you, not to spoil your fun.

Problem gambling rarely starts overnight. Watch for these early warning signs in yourself or someone close to you:

• Spending more money or time gambling than you planned.
• Chasing losses by increasing bet sizes after a losing streak.
• Gambling with money intended for rent, bills or food.
• Borrowing money or selling possessions to keep gambling.
• Lying to family or friends about how much you gamble.
• Feeling restless, anxious or irritable when not gambling.
• Neglecting work, study, family or health because of gambling.
• Gambling to escape stress, depression, loneliness or boredom.

If two or more of these apply to you, please reach out to one of the free, confidential services listed below – or take the self-check below first.

All services below are free, confidential and available to anyone in Australia. You do not need a referral and you can call anonymously.

• Gambling Help Online – 24/7 phone, chat and email support. Call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
• Lifeline – 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention. Call 13 11 14.
• Beyond Blue – mental health and wellbeing support. Call 1300 22 4636.
• Gamblers Anonymous Australia – peer-led recovery meetings nationwide. Visit gaaustralia.org.au.
• Relationships Australia – counselling for partners and families affected by gambling. Call 1300 364 277.
• 13YARN – 24/7 support line by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Call 13 92 76.

BetStop is the Australian National Self-Exclusion Register. Once you register, every licensed Australian online wagering operator is legally required to block you from opening an account or placing bets for the period you choose – from 3 months up to lifetime. Registration is free, confidential and only takes a few minutes.

Visit betstop.gov.au to register. Most casinos also offer in-account self-exclusion options that block your single account for 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days or longer. Use both layers for the strongest protection.

Setting limits before you play is the single most effective way to keep gambling safe. Every casino we recommend lets you configure:

• Deposit limits – cap the total you can deposit per day, week or month.
• Loss limits – cap how much you can lose in a given period (deposits minus withdrawals).
• Wager limits – cap your total stake per session.
• Session time limits – set how long you can stay logged in.
• Reality checks – pop-up reminders every 30 or 60 minutes showing time and money spent.
• Cool-off periods – temporarily lock your account for 24 hours to several weeks.

Set these before you start playing. Decreases take effect immediately; increases trigger a 24-hour delay so you can change your mind.

1. Treat gambling as entertainment, like the cost of a movie ticket – not as income.
2. Only bet money you can afford to lose. Never use rent, grocery or bill money.
3. Set a budget before you play and stop when you reach it.
4. Set a time limit and use the casino reality-check tools.
5. Never chase losses. The odds do not change after a losing streak.
6. Take regular breaks. Step away from the screen every 30 minutes.
7. Avoid gambling when stressed, sad, lonely, drunk or tired.
8. Do not gamble on credit. Australian-licensed sites already block credit cards.
9. Balance gambling with other hobbies, exercise and social time.
10. Talk about it. Be honest with friends or family about how much you play.

Living with someone who has a gambling problem is hard. You are not alone and you do not need their permission to seek support.

• Call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 – they offer free counselling specifically for affected family members.
• Protect joint finances: separate accounts, remove your name from credit facilities, and keep important documents secure.
• Avoid lending money or paying off gambling debts – this often enables continued play.
• Encourage them to register on BetStop, but understand that the decision to seek help has to be theirs.
• Look after yourself. Counselling for partners and family is available through Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277.