Responsible Gambling

Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over, and it can be addictive. If it has stopped being a choice, call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858. The call is free and the line is open 24 hours a day.

How gambling can cause harm

Harm does not require a large loss, and it rarely stays in one place.

Financial. Savings run down, bills go unpaid and debts build, sometimes through borrowing to continue.
Psychological. Stress, shame, poor sleep, anxiety and low mood often follow, and can deepen into depression.
Family and relationships. Secrecy and lost trust strain partners, children and friends.
Work and study. Time and attention go elsewhere, and performance and attendance suffer.

Chasing losses

After a loss, the urge to win it back with the next session is strong, and it is the pattern behind most serious harm. Each attempt to recover what was lost tends to raise the amount at risk, and the odds of any single outcome do not change because of what came before. The only dependable way out is to decide a limit in advance and stop when you reach it.

Signs to watch for

Spending more money or time than you planned.
Going back to win back a loss.
Hiding how much you spend, or lying about it.
Borrowing, or selling things, to keep going.
Feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut down.
Neglecting work, study or family because of it.
Thinking about it most of the day.

A short self-check

Answer honestly, in the last twelve months. Two or more “yes” answers are a good reason to talk to someone.

Have you spent more than you could afford?
Have you needed larger amounts to feel the same excitement?
Have you tried to stop or cut back and found it hard?
Have you gone back to recover earlier losses?
Have you borrowed to fund it?
Has it caused arguments or worry at home?
Have you felt guilty about how you gamble?
Has it affected your work, study or health?

This list is a prompt for reflection, not a diagnosis. A counsellor can help you make sense of the answers.

Tools to stay in control

Licensed operators offer limits on spending, reminders about time played, breaks and account closure. Set them before you add funds, and keep them.
Treat the amount you play with as the cost of a night out.
Do not play when you are upset, tired or under the influence of alcohol.

Self-exclusion

You can exclude yourself from all licensed online wagering providers in Australia at once through BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register. Registering takes about five minutes atbetstop.gov.au, or you can call1800 238 786(9am to 9pm AEST/AEDT, Monday to Friday, except national public holidays). Once you are registered, providers must close your accounts and may not open new ones for you or send you marketing. You can also ask any operator to close your account or exclude you directly.

Where to get help

Help is free and confidential in every state and territory, through a national helpline, online chat and local counselling services. The national directory stays current when any single address changes, so start there:

Gambling Help Online: find a local service

Gambling Help OnlineFree and confidential support, with a helpline, online chat and email counselling.1800 858 858· Open 24 hours, 7 days
BetStopThe National Self-Exclusion Register: one registration closes your accounts with licensed online wagering providers.1800 238 786· 9am to 9pm AEST/AEDT, Monday to Friday, except national public holidays
LifelineCrisis support and suicide prevention, any time.13 11 14· Open 24 hours

Counselling services

These services run counselling for people affected by gambling, for the person gambling and for family and friends. Addresses are those the services publish on their own websites.

Relationships Australia SA: Gambling Help ServiceAdelaide, South Australia151 South Terrace, Adelaide SA 500008 8223 4566·Website
The Salvation Army: Gambling Support ServiceMelbourne, Victoria133 Rankins Road, Kensington VIC 3031(03) 9653 3250·Website
Wesley Mission: GambleAware CounsellingSydney, New South Wales1300 827 638·Website