Our Commitment to Responsible Gambling
At Online Casino Australia, we believe that gambling should always remain a form of entertainment — never a way to make money or escape problems. We are committed to promoting responsible gambling and providing resources to help Australians gamble safely.
While we provide information about online casinos, we recognise that gambling carries risks. We encourage all visitors to gamble responsibly, set limits, and seek help if gambling becomes a problem.
What is Problem Gambling?
Problem gambling (sometimes called gambling disorder or compulsive gambling) occurs when gambling negatively affects a person's life — their finances, relationships, work, or mental health. It exists on a spectrum, from mild harm to severe addiction.
Problem gambling is recognised as a behavioural addiction by health professionals worldwide. Like other addictions, it can be treated, and recovery is possible with the right support.
Key Facts About Problem Gambling in Australia
- Australia has one of the highest gambling rates in the world
- Approximately 80% of Australian adults gamble at least once per year
- Around 1-2% of adults experience severe problem gambling
- A further 4-6% experience moderate gambling harm
- For every problem gambler, 5-10 others are affected (family, friends)
- Pokies (electronic gaming machines) are the most common source of harm
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Recognising the signs of problem gambling is the first step toward getting help. You may have a gambling problem if you:
Financial Warning Signs
- Spending more money on gambling than you can afford to lose
- Borrowing money, selling possessions, or using credit to gamble
- Chasing losses — gambling more to try to win back lost money
- Neglecting bills, rent, or essential expenses to fund gambling
- Hiding bank statements or lying about finances
- Taking out loans or using payday lenders for gambling money
Behavioural Warning Signs
- Spending increasing amounts of time gambling
- Being preoccupied with gambling — constantly thinking about it
- Neglecting work, study, or family responsibilities
- Gambling to escape problems or relieve negative emotions
- Lying to family and friends about gambling habits
- Failed attempts to cut down or stop gambling
- Returning to gambling after periods of abstinence
Emotional Warning Signs
- Feeling restless or irritable when trying to reduce gambling
- Feeling anxious, depressed, or hopeless about gambling
- Using gambling to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression
- Feeling guilty or ashamed after gambling sessions
- Mood swings related to wins and losses
- Thoughts of self-harm related to gambling losses
Relationship Warning Signs
- Arguments with family or partner about gambling
- Withdrawing from family and social activities
- Relationship breakdown or separation due to gambling
- Losing trust of loved ones
- Isolating yourself to hide gambling behaviour
Ask yourself these questions honestly:
- Do you spend more time or money gambling than intended?
- Have you tried to cut back on gambling but couldn't?
- Do you gamble to escape problems or improve your mood?
- Have you lied to others about your gambling?
- Has gambling caused relationship or financial problems?
If you answered "yes" to any of these, consider reaching out for support.
Tips for Gambling Safely
If you choose to gamble, these strategies can help you stay in control:
Set Limits Before You Start
- Money limit: Decide how much you can afford to lose and stick to it
- Time limit: Set a time limit for gambling sessions
- Win limit: Decide when to stop if you're ahead
- Loss limit: Stop immediately when you hit your loss limit
Practical Strategies
- Only gamble with money you can afford to lose completely
- Never chase losses — accept them and walk away
- Don't gamble when upset, stressed, or intoxicated
- Take regular breaks during gambling sessions
- Balance gambling with other leisure activities
- Don't borrow money to gamble — ever
- Keep track of time and money spent gambling
- Avoid gambling as a way to make money or pay debts
Use Available Tools
- Deposit limits: Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit caps
- Loss limits: Automatically stop when losses reach a set amount
- Session limits: Set time reminders or automatic logouts
- Reality checks: Pop-up reminders showing time and money spent
- Cooling-off periods: Short breaks from gambling
- Self-exclusion: Ban yourself from gambling for extended periods
Self-Exclusion Programs in Australia
Self-exclusion allows you to ban yourself from gambling venues or online operators. It's a powerful tool for regaining control. Australia offers several self-exclusion options:
BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register
BetStop is Australia's national self-exclusion register for online wagering. Launched in 2023, it allows you to exclude yourself from all licensed Australian online betting operators with a single registration.
- Website: betStop.gov.au
- Coverage: All licensed Australian online wagering operators
- Duration: Minimum 3 months, up to lifetime
- Cost: Free
| Program | Coverage | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BetStop | All AU online wagering | 3 months — lifetime |
| Venue Self-Exclusion | Individual pokies venues | 6 months — 5 years |
| Multi-Venue (State) | All venues in a region | Varies by state |
| Crown Casino | Crown properties | 6 months — lifetime |
| The Star Casino | Star properties | 6 months — lifetime |
| YourPlay (VIC) | Victorian pokies venues | Flexible limits |
State and Territory Programs
Each Australian state and territory has its own self-exclusion programs for land-based venues:
Australian Help Services
Free, confidential support is available across Australia. These services help people who gamble, as well as their families and friends.
National Services
State-Based Services
| State/Territory | Service | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Gambling Help NSW | 1800 858 858 |
| VIC | Gambler's Help | 1800 858 858 |
| QLD | Gambling Help Queensland | 1800 858 858 |
| WA | Gambling Help WA | 1800 858 858 |
| SA | Gambling Helpline SA | 1800 858 858 |
| TAS | Gambling Support Tasmania | 1800 858 858 |
| NT | Amity Community Services | 1800 858 858 |
| ACT | Gambling Counselling & Support | 1800 858 858 |
Help for Family and Friends
If someone you care about has a gambling problem, you're not alone. Gambling affects families, friendships, and communities. Support is available for you too.
How Gambling Affects Families
- Financial stress — shared debts, unpaid bills, loss of savings
- Broken trust — lies, secrecy, broken promises
- Emotional impact — anxiety, depression, anger, grief
- Relationship breakdown — separation, divorce
- Impact on children — stress, instability, trauma
What You Can Do
- Educate yourself: Learn about problem gambling and addiction
- Set boundaries: Protect your finances and wellbeing
- Don't enable: Avoid lending money or covering debts
- Communicate: Express concerns without judgment when the time is right
- Seek support: Access counselling for yourself — you need support too
- Be patient: Recovery takes time and setbacks are common
Support Services for Families
- Gambling Help (1800 858 858): Free counselling for family members
- Relationships Australia: Family counselling and mediation
- Financial counselling: Help managing gambling-related debt
- Gam-Anon: Support groups for families of gamblers
Understanding the Odds
Making informed decisions about gambling means understanding how it works. All gambling is designed to favour the house — over time, the operator always wins.
The House Edge
Every casino game has a built-in mathematical advantage for the operator, called the house edge. This is how casinos make money.
| Game | House Edge | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Pokies/Slots | 5-15% | Lose $5-$15 per $100 over time |
| Roulette (European) | 2.7% | Lose $2.70 per $100 over time |
| Blackjack | 0.5-2% | Lose $0.50-$2 per $100 over time |
| Baccarat | 1.06-14% | Varies by bet type |
| Sports Betting | 5-10% | Built into odds (margin) |
| Lottery | 40-50% | Half of ticket sales don't return |
Common Gambling Myths
- Myth: "I'm due for a win" — Reality: Each spin/hand is independent. Past results don't affect future outcomes.
- Myth: "I have a winning system" — Reality: No system can overcome the house edge long-term.
- Myth: "If I keep playing, I'll win it back" — Reality: Chasing losses usually leads to bigger losses.
- Myth: "This machine is hot/cold" — Reality: Pokies use random number generators. Every spin is random.
- Myth: "Gambling can solve my money problems" — Reality: Gambling is entertainment with a cost, not a financial strategy.
Gambling and Mental Health
Problem gambling often occurs alongside other mental health conditions. Understanding this connection is important for recovery.
Co-occurring Conditions
- Depression: Many problem gamblers experience depression, sometimes triggered by gambling losses
- Anxiety: Gambling-related stress can cause or worsen anxiety
- Substance use: Alcohol and drug use often co-occur with problem gambling
- ADHD: Impulsivity associated with ADHD can increase gambling risk
- Trauma: Some people gamble to cope with past trauma
Gambling and Suicide Risk
Problem gambling significantly increases the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7)
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- Emergency: 000
These feelings are temporary and treatable. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength.
Resources and Tools
Self-Help Resources
- Gambling Help Online: Self-assessment tools and workbooks
- Gamblers Anonymous: 12-step recovery program — gamblersanonymous.org.au
- SMART Recovery: Science-based self-help groups — smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au
Apps and Digital Tools
- Gambling Therapy: Free app with self-help tools and counselling
- BetBlocker: Free app to block gambling websites and apps
- Gamban: Software to block access to gambling sites
Further Reading
- Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au
- Australian Gambling Research Centre — aifs.gov.au/agrc
- ACMA gambling information — acma.gov.au