Keeping Your Play in Proportion
Gambling with us should stay a form of entertainment that you pay for, the same way you might pay for a film or a night out, and never a way to earn money or fix a money problem. Below we set out the signs that play is becoming a problem, the tools we offer to keep it under control, how to protect your account and where Australians can turn for independent support.
Signs It May Be Time to Step Back
Take it seriously if any of these sound familiar:
- you play for longer, or with more money, than you planned;
- you chase losses by depositing again straight after a losing session;
- you borrow money, or use money set aside for bills, rent or groceries, to keep playing;
- you feel restless, anxious or irritable when you try to cut back;
- you hide how much time or money gambling takes from family or friends;
- gambling crowds out work, study, sleep or the people around you.
Setting a Budget and a Time Window First
Decide how much you can afford to lose before you open a game, and treat that amount as spent the moment you deposit it. Only use money left over after your regular costs are covered. Pick a stopping time as well, and set an alarm on your phone so that a session ends when you planned rather than when your balance runs out. If you win, decide in advance what share you will keep instead of playing it back.
Tools in Your Account
| Tool | What it does | When it helps most |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Typically caps how much you can pay into your account | When you want spending fixed before you play |
| Loss and wager limits | Usually restrict how much you can lose or stake | When sessions tend to run past your budget |
| Cool-off | As a rule, pauses play on your account | When you need distance without closing anything |
| Self-exclusion | Typically closes your account to play | When limits and breaks are no longer enough |
Taking a Break or Excluding Yourself
A cool-off is a pause, while self-exclusion is the stronger step for anyone who wants gambling out of reach. Choose the one that matches how you feel now, not how you hope to feel later. Lowering a limit usually takes effect quickly, while raising one only applies after a cooling-off period. That delay is deliberate: it gives you time to reconsider a decision made in the heat of a session.
Protecting Your Account and Device
The connection to our pages is usually protected with 256-bit SSL encryption. Turning on two-factor authentication, which is typically offered as an option, adds a second check every time someone tries to sign in. Use a strong password that you do not use anywhere else, never share it, and sign out after playing on a shared phone or computer. Keep your device locked with a PIN, fingerprint or face recognition.
Independent Help in Australia
You do not have to deal with gambling harm alone. You can call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 and talk things through. If you would rather write than talk, Gambling Help Online offers counselling online. Both are independent of us, so you can reach out to them at any stage, even before you set a single limit with us.
Keeping Minors Away from Gambling
In Australia, each state sets the age of majority, and it is 18. As a rule, our games are for players aged 18+ only. If children or teenagers share your home or your devices, keep your login details private, do not let a browser remember your password and sign out when you finish. Set up separate user profiles on shared tablets and computers, and use the parental controls built into your device.
Choosing the Right Step for You
A limit suits players who enjoy gambling but want a firm ceiling on spending or staking. A cool-off works better when you notice you are playing on autopilot and need a pause without a lasting decision. Self-exclusion is the right choice when you no longer trust yourself to stop, or when someone close to you has raised concerns. If you are unsure which to pick, start with the stronger option; you can still talk it through with an independent counsellor.
What to Keep in Mind
Set your budget and stopping time before every session, and stick to them. Use a limit, a break or self-exclusion as soon as play stops feeling like fun. Protect your login so that nobody else, especially a minor, can use your account. And if gambling is causing harm to you or someone you care about, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858.