Responsible gambling in Australia comes down to one idea: gambling should be something you do for fun, with money you can afford to lose, and it should stay that way. I spent eight years doing responsible service of gambling in Queensland clubs, and I’ve sat with people on the worst night of their year. So this page isn’t a box we’re ticking. If anything here rings true for you, please reach out to one of the services below.
Where to get help right now
All of these are free and confidential:
- Gambling Help Online 1800 858 858, 24/7, plus online chat and email counselling at gamblinghelponline.org.au. They’ll connect you to your local state service.
- Lifeline 13 11 14, 24/7, if you’re in crisis or thinking about harming yourself.
- State services Gambling Help NSW, Gambler’s Help Victoria, Gambling Help Queensland, Gambling Help SA, Gambling Help WA, Gambling Help Tasmania, and services in the ACT and NT. Face-to-face and phone counselling, plus support for family members.
- Financial counselling The National Debt Helpline, 1800 007 007, if gambling has left you with bills or debt.
We’ve put together a longer state-by-state guide to gambling help too.
Warning signs worth taking seriously
In my venue days, the people who got into strife rarely looked any different from anyone else. The signs were in the behaviour:
- Chasing losses, or depositing again to “win it back”.
- Spending more time or money than you planned, often.
- Borrowing money or using bill money to gamble.
- Hiding gambling from your partner or family.
- Feeling anxious, irritable or low when you’re not playing.
- Gambling to escape stress, loneliness or boredom.
One of those on its own isn’t a diagnosis. A few together, or one that keeps coming back, is worth a chat with someone.
Quick self-check
This short self-test is based on common screening questions. It’s not a medical tool, but it can help you see where you’re at.
Setting limits that actually stick
Limits work best when you set them before you play, when you’re calm. Most offshore casinos have deposit, loss and session limits in the account settings, plus time-outs and self-exclusion. Set them on day one. Lowering a limit usually applies straight away; raising it often has a cooling-off delay, which is exactly the point.
My own rules: a fixed monthly entertainment budget, a session timer on my phone, and no playing after a drink. Our posts on setting deposit limits and reality checks and session timers go into detail.
BetStop and what it covers
BetStop is the National Self-Exclusion Register. Sign up once and you’re excluded from every licensed Australian online and phone wagering provider (sports and racing bookies) for a period you choose, from three months to life. It’s run by ACMA at betstop.gov.au.
The catch: BetStop does not cover offshore online casinos, because they aren’t licensed here in the first place. We explain the gap in BetStop and offshore casinos. If online casinos are the problem, you’ll need the tools below as well.
Blocking gambling at the bank and on your devices
- Bank gambling blocks. Most major Australian banks, including the big four and several others, let you block gambling transactions on your cards through the app or by calling. Some also add a cooling-off period before you can turn it off again.
- Blocking software. Apps like Gamban and similar tools block gambling sites and apps across your phone and computer. Some are paid, some are free through counselling services.
- Venue self-exclusion. Each state runs a program to exclude you from pubs, clubs and casinos.
- Casino self-exclusion. Offshore sites offer it too, but enforcement varies, so don’t rely on it alone.
Heads up: Crypto and vouchers can slip past bank blocks. If you’ve set a block, it’s worth removing crypto apps too, or asking someone you trust to hold the keys for a while.
If someone you love is gambling too much
Family and friends can call the same services. Gambling Help Online counsels partners, parents and kids affected by someone else’s gambling. You don’t need their permission to get support for yourself.
The bravest thing I ever saw on a gaming floor was a bloke asking me for the self-exclusion form. If that’s you today, good on you. Make the call.
What is the gambling help number in Australia?
Gambling Help Online is on 1800 858 858, 24 hours a day, free and confidential. Lifeline is 13 11 14 for crisis support.
Does BetStop block online casinos?
No. BetStop covers licensed Australian online and phone wagering providers only. Offshore casinos aren’t included, so use bank blocks and blocking software as well.
How do I block gambling on my bank card?
Most major Australian banks offer a gambling block in their app, usually under card settings, or you can call them to switch it on.
How do I know if I have a gambling problem?
Signs include chasing losses, spending more than planned, borrowing to gamble and hiding it from others. The self-check above can help, and a counsellor on 1800 858 858 can talk it through with you.
Can I self-exclude from pubs and clubs?
Yes, every state runs venue self-exclusion for pubs, clubs and casinos. Your local gambling help service can help you set it up.