Responsible Gambling
Gambling should be entertainment, never a way to make money or escape stress. This page explains how to stay in control and where Australians can get free, confidential help.
Play by a few simple rules
Set a budget
Decide what you can afford to lose before you deposit, and treat it like the cost of a night out. Never gamble with money needed for rent, bills or essentials.
Set time limits
Long, unbroken sessions blur judgement. Use reminders, take regular breaks, and log off when your time is up — the pokies will still be there tomorrow.
Never chase losses
Trying to win back what you have lost is the fastest way to lose more. A losing session is over when your budget is gone, not when you "get even".
Keep it in balance
Gamble only when you are in a good frame of mind — never to cope with stress, boredom, loneliness or after drinking. Keep other hobbies in your week.
Player tools you can use
Licensed operators, including LuckyStart, provide account tools to help you stay in control. Look for these in your account settings and use them proactively:
- Deposit limits — cap how much you can deposit per day, week or month.
- Loss & wager limits — set a ceiling on losses or total stakes over a period.
- Session reminders — get alerts showing how long you have been playing.
- Reality checks & time-outs — take a short cooling-off break of 24 hours to a few weeks.
- Self-exclusion — close access to your account for months or permanently when you need a real stop.
Signs it may be a problem
Ask yourself honestly: are you gambling more than you can afford, borrowing money to play, hiding it from family, feeling anxious or irritable when not playing, or chasing losses? If you answer "yes" to any of these, it is worth reaching out. You do not have to wait until things are severe.
Free & confidential support in Australia
- Gambling Help Online — 1800 858 858, 24/7 phone and live chat, gamblinghelponline.org.au
- Lifeline — 13 11 14, for crisis support
- National Self-Exclusion Register (BetStop) — betstop.gov.au, to self-exclude from licensed online services
- Gamblers Anonymous Australia — peer support meetings nationwide