Responsible Gambling

Last reviewed: August 12, 2026 at 1:31 AM AEST

Gambling should be treated as paid entertainment—not as a way to earn money, solve financial problems, or recover previous losses. Every gambling activity carries a risk of losing money, and no strategy can guarantee a win.

This website is intended only for adults aged 18 years and over. If gambling is affecting your finances, relationships, work, study, or wellbeing, stop gambling and seek confidential support.

Important Information for Australian Players

Australian gambling laws distinguish between licensed wagering services and prohibited online gambling services.

Online casino games—including online pokies, roulette, blackjack, and many other casino-style games—cannot legally be offered to people in Australia. An offshore website being accessible from Australia does not mean that it is licensed or legal here. Illegal operators may provide limited consumer protection, withhold withdrawals, or disappear with customer funds.

Before using an online wagering provider, check the Australian Communications and Media Authority's register of licensed interactive gambling providers. You can also read the Australian Government regulator's guidance on how to protect yourself from illegal gambling operators.

Practical Ways to Stay in Control

If you choose to gamble:

• Decide how much money you can afford to lose before starting.
• Treat that amount as an entertainment expense, not an investment.
• Never use money needed for rent, food, bills, healthcare, education, or savings.
• Set firm spending and time limits and stop when either limit is reached.
• Keep track of deposits, withdrawals, and total losses.
• Never chase losses by increasing stakes or depositing more money.
• Do not borrow money, use payday loans, or sell possessions to gamble.
• Avoid gambling when stressed, upset, lonely, intoxicated, or trying to escape a problem.
• Take regular breaks and maintain non-gambling activities and relationships.
• Do not allow gambling to interfere with work, sleep, study, or family commitments.
• Never gamble on behalf of a person under 18 or allow a minor to access an account.
• Do not share accounts, passwords, payment methods, or identity documents.
• Read bonus wagering requirements, withdrawal conditions, and expiry rules.
• Disable promotional messages if they encourage unplanned gambling.
• Use deposit limits, loss limits, session reminders, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion tools where available.

Understand the Financial Safeguards

Licensed Australian online and telephone wagering providers cannot accept credit cards, credit-linked digital wallets, or digital currency for betting. They also cannot provide credit or help customers obtain credit from third parties.

Learn more from the Australian Government regulator's online wagering credit-ban guidance. Even where a payment method is permitted, only gamble with money you can afford to lose.

Warning Signs of Gambling Harm

Consider stopping and seeking help if you:

• Spend more money or time gambling than intended.
• Regularly try to recover losses.
• Hide gambling activity or lie about spending.
• Borrow money or miss bills because of gambling.
• Feel anxious, angry, or restless when unable to gamble.
• Gamble to escape stress, sadness, or other problems.
• Neglect work, study, sleep, family, or social commitments.
• Increase stakes to achieve the same excitement.
• Have unsuccessfully tried to reduce or stop gambling.
• Experience conflict with family or friends because of gambling.

Gambling harm can affect anyone. Getting help early can prevent financial and emotional problems from becoming more severe.

Free and Confidential Support

If gambling is causing concern for you or someone close to you, contact the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858. Free and confidential support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

You can also use Gambling Help Online for free counselling, live chat, email support, information, and practical tools.

If you are in immediate danger or need urgent medical assistance, call 000.

Additional Steps That Can Help

• Ask your bank whether it can block gambling transactions.
• Remove gambling apps and saved payment details.
• Unsubscribe from gambling email, SMS, and push notifications.
• Use website or device-blocking software.
• Ask a trusted person to help manage money temporarily.
• Speak with a financial counsellor about debts and essential expenses.
• Tell supportive family members or friends about your decision.
• Consider counselling even if gambling has not yet caused a crisis.

Supporting Another Person

• Choose a calm and private time to speak.
• Describe the behaviour you have noticed without blame.
• Listen and encourage professional support.
• Do not lend money for gambling or pay gambling debts without financial advice.
• Protect shared accounts and essential household funds.
• Seek support for yourself as well.

A person must register themselves for BetStop. Another person cannot register on their behalf.

Complaints and Illegal Operators

You can report potentially illegal online gambling services through the Australian Communications and Media Authority's online gambling portal.

If a licensed wagering provider allows a BetStop-registered person to gamble, open an account, or receive direct marketing, a complaint can be made through the official BetStop contact service.

Our Position

We encourage readers to understand Australian law, avoid illegal gambling services, and use available safety tools. Our reviews and information do not guarantee that an operator is legal, suitable, or safe for a particular reader.

Never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose. If gambling stops being enjoyable or begins causing harm, stop and seek support.