Responsible Gaming

Keep Gambling in Perspective

Responsible gambling starts with treating gambling as optional entertainment rather than a financial activity. Spending on gambling should come only from money that can be lost without affecting rent, food, transport, household expenses, debt repayments, savings or other important commitments.

There is no system that can guarantee a win on an electronic gaming machine. Each session can result in a loss, and previous outcomes do not create an entitlement to a future win.

Decide Your Spending Limit

Before entering a gaming area, decide the maximum amount you are prepared to spend and potentially lose. A clear limit can make it easier to notice when entertainment spending has moved beyond what you intended.

Keep gambling money separate from funds required for ordinary living costs. When the amount you set aside has been spent, stop rather than increasing the limit during the same session.

Set a Time Limit

Decide in advance how long you plan to stay in the gaming area. Gaming environments can make it easy to lose track of time, particularly during long or uninterrupted sessions.

Use a clock, phone reminder or another practical cue to check elapsed time. Reaching the time limit is a useful point to stop and move on to another activity.

Take Regular Breaks

Step away from gaming at regular intervals. A break creates distance from the immediate pace of play and gives you an opportunity to reconsider the amount of time and money already spent.

Use lounge, dining or other social areas of the venue as places to pause. A break can also help you decide whether continuing still fits the limits you set before starting.

Avoid Chasing Losses

Chasing losses means increasing spending, extending a session or returning to gambling primarily in an attempt to recover money already lost. This can increase financial harm because future outcomes remain uncertain.

A previous loss does not make a win more likely. If you notice that the main reason for continuing is to “get even”, it is a strong reason to stop the session.

Keep Gambling Separate from Income

Gambling should not be treated as employment, an investment or a reliable method of earning money. Results vary and losses can occur quickly.

Do not include expected gambling winnings in a household budget or rely on them to meet financial commitments. Entertainment spending is easier to control when it is separated from income, savings and essential expenses.

Avoid Borrowing to Gamble

Borrowing money, using funds intended for bills or seeking additional credit in order to continue gambling can be a sign that limits are no longer working. Increasing access to money can increase the scale of potential harm.

If gambling has led to debt or difficulty meeting expenses, stop gambling and consider speaking with an appropriate financial counselling or gambling support service.

Make Clear Decisions

Gambling decisions are easier to manage when you are able to think clearly about time, money and consequences. Avoid using gambling as a response to stress, anger, loneliness or pressure to recover money.

If you feel upset, distracted or unable to stick to the limits you set, leave the gaming area and return to other activities rather than extending the session.

Recognise Possible Warning Signs

Possible signs that gambling may be becoming difficult to manage can include:

• spending more money or time than intended;
• repeatedly increasing limits during a session;
• chasing losses or returning mainly to recover money;
• borrowing money or using funds needed for essential expenses;
• hiding gambling activity or losses from people close to you;
• missing work, study, family or other responsibilities because of gambling;
• feeling restless, distressed or preoccupied when trying to cut back; or
• continuing despite financial or relationship problems connected with gambling.

Experiencing one or more of these signs does not by itself define a person's situation, but it can be a reason to stop and seek support early.

Questions to Ask Yourself

A short self-check can help you decide whether gambling is staying within the limits you intended:

• Am I spending only money I can afford to lose?
• Have I stayed within the time limit I set?
• Am I trying to recover a previous loss?
• Have I increased my budget because of what happened during this session?
• Is gambling affecting bills, savings, work, study or relationships?
• Would I feel comfortable telling someone close to me how much I have spent?

If your answers concern you, consider stopping gambling and contacting a support service.

Self-Exclusion

Self-exclusion is an option for people who want formal assistance to stay away from gambling areas or services for a period of time. Arrangements can differ between venues and Australian States or Territories.

Ask venue staff about the self-exclusion process available at the relevant location. Staff can explain the steps that apply to that venue and direct you to suitable support information.

Supporting Someone Else

Gambling can also affect partners, family members and friends. If you are concerned about someone else's gambling, support services can provide information for affected family and friends as well as for the person who gambles.

It can be useful to focus on specific impacts, encourage the person to seek support and protect your own finances and wellbeing where necessary. You do not need to manage another person's gambling on your own.

Support Services

Confidential gambling support is available in Australia for people who gamble and for people affected by someone else's gambling. Support can include information, counselling and guidance about options such as self-exclusion.

If you would prefer assistance connected with a particular venue, speak with venue staff and ask for responsible gambling support information.