Responsible Gambling for Australian Players
Pokies and casino games should be entertainment, paid for out of money you are happy to spend, like a night out or a concert ticket. They are not a way to make money or solve money problems. Australians lose more per person on gambling than any other country, so RidgewoodResort.com takes this seriously: every casino we recommend must offer deposit limits, cool-off periods and self-exclusion, and every page on this site carries free support details.
Free, confidential help in Australia
- Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858, 24/7 phone, live chat and email support at gamblinghelponline.org.au. This number also connects you to your state's gambling help service.
- Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14, 24/7 crisis support.
- Gamblers Anonymous Australia: peer support meetings in every state, in person and online.
- Financial Counselling Australia: 1800 007 007, the free National Debt Helpline.
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636, support for anxiety and depression, which often go hand in hand with problem gambling.
Self-exclusion tools
BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, lets you exclude yourself from every Australian-licensed online and phone wagering provider in one step, for anywhere from three months to life. Register at betstop.gov.au. BetStop covers licensed Australian bookmakers, not offshore casinos, so if you also play at online casinos, use each casino's own self-exclusion tool as well, and consider a bank gambling block (below).
Every state and territory also runs self-exclusion programs for land-based venues such as pubs, clubs and casinos. Gambling Help Online can connect you to the one in your state.
Block gambling payments through your bank
Most major Australian banks, including CommBank, NAB, ANZ and Westpac, let you block gambling transactions on your debit and credit cards directly in their app. Some also block PayID and transfers to known gambling merchants. It is one of the most effective tools available, because it stops a deposit before it happens. Ask your bank what its gambling block covers and how long it takes to remove, which is usually a deliberate delay to give you time to reconsider.
Casino tools you should use
- Deposit limits: daily, weekly and monthly. Decreases apply immediately; increases usually wait 24 hours or more.
- Loss and wager limits: cap how much you can lose or bet over a set period.
- Session reminders: reality checks that pop up to show how long you have been playing.
- Cool-off periods: a break of 24 hours to six weeks.
- Self-exclusion: close your account for six months or longer. Tell support you want to self-exclude, not just close the account.
Warning signs to watch for
- Spending more money or time than you planned, more and more often.
- Chasing losses, or feeling you need to play to "win it back".
- Borrowing money, using credit or selling things to gamble.
- Hiding gambling from family or friends.
- Feeling anxious, irritable or low when you are not gambling.
- Gambling affecting work, study, relationships or sleep.
If any of these sound familiar, call 1800 858 858. It is free, confidential and available at any hour.
Tips for keeping gambling fun
- Set a budget before you play, and treat it as spent.
- Set a time limit, and take regular breaks.
- Never gamble with money meant for bills, rent or groceries.
- Avoid gambling when you are drinking, tired, stressed or upset.
- Prefer prepaid options such as Neosurf if you find it hard to stop. See our Neosurf casinos guide.
- Use free demo pokies to learn games without spending. See our free pokies guide.
Under 18? Gambling is not for you
Gambling is illegal for anyone under 18 in Australia. Every casino we list verifies age and identity. Parents can use device controls and filtering software such as Google Family Link or Apple Screen Time to block gambling sites on shared devices.