When the fun stops, so should the session
Gambling should cost you a set amount of entertainment money, the same way a movie ticket does. It shouldn’t touch rent, bills or savings. Here’s how to keep it that way, and where to turn if it’s already slipping.
Signs it’s getting away from you
You’re topping up a second time to win back the first. You’re playing for longer than you meant to, or skipping sleep, work or plans to do it. Maybe you’ve started hiding it, or you’re borrowing to deposit. A win feels like relief and a loss feels like an emergency. If two or more of these sound familiar, treat it as a signal to stop and talk to someone, not to try harder to win it back.
Set your budget before you log on
Pick the amount you can lose without it hurting, and write it down. If that’s $50 for the week, then $50 is the whole number, bonus or no bonus. Bonuses with turnover attached can make it tempting to keep spinning until the requirement is cleared, so only take one if its turnover fits inside your planned budget.
Set a timer as well. An hour can disappear quickly on a pokie, and a phone alarm is a cheap way to notice.
Limits and controls on the site
Stoked Casino lists daily, weekly and monthly deposit limits, and self-exclusion, in its responsible gambling tools. Set a limit when you register, before you’ve had a win or a loss. A limit chosen on a calm Tuesday protects you from the version of you who’s chasing a loss on Saturday night.
If you want to change a limit, ask what the waiting period is. Where limits can be raised, a delay is useful. The details of each tool are on the casino’s site, and its live chat can walk you through them.
Taking a break or stepping away
A cooling-off break of a day or a week is a fair way to test how you feel about it. If you find the break hard, that’s useful information. For a longer stop, use the self-exclusion option and tell someone you trust so they can back you up.
Delete the site from your bookmarks and your home screen, and turn off any marketing emails you don’t want.
Using your bank as a barrier
Many Australian banks let you block gambling transactions on your cards or accounts, and some can do it from the app. Ask your own bank what it offers. A block means a second thought, even if you only half want one.
Keeping gambling money in a separate account that you top up weekly is another simple barrier. When it’s empty, the night is over.
Free, confidential support in Australia
Gambling Help Online offers free counselling and live chat around the clock on 1800 858 858, and at gamblinghelponline.org.au. Lifeline is there for anyone in distress on 13 11 14. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000.
Families can use these services too. You don’t need to be the person gambling to get advice.
A weekly check-in
Once a week, look at what you spent and how long you played. Compare it to the budget you set. If you went over twice in a month, drop your deposit limit by half and keep it there for a month. The point isn’t to feel bad about it. It’s to catch a drift early, when it’s still easy to fix.
Helping a mate or family member
Raise it privately and without judgement, at a time when neither of you is stressed. Say what you’ve noticed, such as late nights or borrowed money, rather than labelling them. Don’t lend money to cover gambling debts or losses. Offer to ring Gambling Help Online with them, because the first call is the hardest part.
Players under 18
Online gambling is for adults only. If you share a device with a young person, keep your account logged out and your passwords private, and use parental controls on the family phone or tablet.
Your privacy when you ask for help
Counselling services are confidential. You can contact them without telling the casino, your employer or your family.