Alright, this is gonna be a bit heavy, but it’s important. I’m not here to preach or tell you gambling’s evil. I gamble myself. But I’ve also seen what happens when it goes wrong.
My mate lost his house to pokies in 2015. Another friend’s marriage fell apart because he couldn’t stop betting on sports. This s**t’s real, and we need to talk about it.
Why This Matters to Us
Look, we make money when you sign up at casinos through our links. That’s our business model. But what’s the point if we’re helping people destroy their lives?
We’re not some government agency or charity. We’re a casino review site that happens to give a st about responsible gambling. Maybe that sounds like bullst to you, but I watched my mate cry in a Maccas car park at 2am because he’d just lost his rent money. That stays with you.
So yeah, this page exists. And I actually mean everything on it.
The Hard Truth About Gambling
Gambling should be entertainment. Like going to the movies or a footy game. You spend some money, have some fun, go home.
But for some people, it becomes something else. An escape. A compulsion. An addiction.
The stats are grim:
- About 2.4% of Australians have moderate to severe gambling problems (Australian Gambling Research Centre)
- Problem gambling costs Australia around $7 billion per year in social costs
- Suicide rates among problem gamblers are significantly higher than the general population
If you’re reading this thinking “yeah but that won’t happen to me,” that’s exactly what my mate thought.
Warning Signs: When Fun Becomes a Problem
Here’s the thing about gambling addiction. It sneaks up on you. One day you’re having a casual punt, next thing you know you’re lying to your partner about where the money went.
Red Flags to Watch For
Financial:
- Spending more than you can afford to lose
- Chasing losses (“just need to win back what I lost”)
- Borrowing money to gamble
- Hiding gambling expenses from family/friends
- Neglecting bills to fund gambling
Behavioral:
- Gambling when you’re stressed, depressed, or upset
- Lying about how much time or money you spend gambling
- Feeling irritable or restless when not gambling
- Neglecting work, study, or family responsibilities
- Gambling to escape problems rather than for fun
Emotional:
- Feeling guilty or ashamed about gambling
- Getting defensive when someone questions your gambling
- Experiencing mood swings related to wins and losses
- Feeling like you need to gamble bigger amounts to get the same thrill
If you’re ticking multiple boxes here, mate, we need to talk about getting help.
Self-Assessment: Are You Gambling Safely?
Answer these honestly (nobody’s watching):
- Do you gamble more than you intended?
- Have you lied about your gambling?
- Has gambling caused financial problems?
- Do you gamble to escape problems or feelings?
- Have you tried to cut back but couldn’t?
- Has gambling damaged relationships?
- Do you feel restless when trying to stop?
- Have you committed crimes to fund gambling?
If you answered yes to 3+ questions, you might have a problem. If you answered yes to 5+, you definitely need to talk to someone.
Take the official PGSI assessment for a more thorough evaluation.
Tools to Stay in Control
Set Limits (And Actually Stick to Them)
Every casino we review gets scored on their responsible gambling features. The good ones let you set:
Deposit Limits: Maximum amount you can deposit per day/week/month. Set this BEFORE you start playing, when you’re thinking clearly.
Loss Limits: Maximum you’re willing to lose in a session. Hit that limit? Game over, walk away.
Time Limits: Set a timer. When it goes off, you’re done. Doesn’t matter if you’re winning.
Reality Checks: Pop-up reminders showing how long you’ve been playing and how much you’ve spent/won. Sounds annoying, but they work.
Self-Exclusion Options
Most legit casinos offer self-exclusion. You can ban yourself for:
- 24 hours (cooling-off period)
- 1-3 months (short break)
- 6-12 months (serious break)
- Permanently (nuclear option)
Once you self-exclude, the casino legally can’t let you play. They’re supposed to refuse deposits and close your account.
National Self-Exclusion Register: Australia has BetStop, a free national self-exclusion register. One registration blocks you from ALL licensed Australian gambling operators. It’s the most effective tool we’ve got.
Blocking Software
If you can’t trust yourself, use technology:
- Gamban (gamban.com): Blocks all gambling sites on your devices. Costs about $4/month but works across phone, tablet, computer.
- BetBlocker (betblocker.org): Free alternative. Not as comprehensive but better than nothing.
- NetNanny or similar parental control software: Yeah, it’s designed for kids, but works for blocking gambling sites too.
Where to Get Help in Australia
If you or someone you know needs help, these organizations actually know what they’re doing:
Gambling Help Online
Website: gamblinghelponline.org.au
Phone: 1800 858 858 (24/7 free counselling)
Live Chat: Available 24/7
They offer free, confidential support via phone, online chat, or email. Counsellors are trained professionals who’ve heard it all before. No judgment.
Lifeline
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)
Website: lifeline.org.au
For immediate crisis support, especially if you’re having thoughts of self-harm. They’re not gambling specialists, but they can help in emergencies and refer you to appropriate services.
Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636
Website: beyondblue.org.au
Mental health support. Gambling problems often come with depression and anxiety. These guys can help with both.
Gamblers Anonymous Australia
Website: gaaustralia.org.au
Peer support groups across Australia. Based on the 12-step program (like AA but for gambling). Free meetings where you can talk to people who’ve been through the same s**t.
Financial Counselling Australia
Phone: 1800 007 007
Website: financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au
Free financial counselling if gambling’s wrecked your finances. They can help with debt management, budgeting, and dealing with creditors.
State-Specific Services
Each state has gambling help services:
New South Wales: Gambling Help NSW – 1800 858 858
Victoria: Gambler’s Help – 1800 858 858
Queensland: Gambling Help QLD – 1800 858 858
South Australia: Gambling Help SA – 1800 858 858
Western Australia: Problem Gambling Support Services – 1800 858 858
Tasmania: Gambling Support Program – 1800 858 858
Northern Territory: FORWAARD – 1800 639 603
ACT: Relationships Australia Canberra – 1800 858 858
Yeah, most of them use the same national number. Makes it easier to remember.
Tips for Safer Gambling
If you’re gonna gamble (and I’m not gonna tell you not to), here’s how to do it without destroying your life:
The Golden Rules
1. Set a Budget and Stick to It: Only gamble with money you can afford to lose. If losing $100 would stress you out, don’t gamble $100. Simple.
2. Never Chase Losses: Lost $50? Don’t deposit another $100 trying to win it back. That’s how $50 losses become $500 losses. Walk away.
3. Don’t Gamble When You’re Emotional: Stressed? Depressed? Drunk? Angry? Don’t fking gamble. You’ll make st decisions and regret it later.
4. Take Regular Breaks: Set a timer. Every 30-60 minutes, step away. Go for a walk. Pat your dog. Remember there’s life outside the casino.
5. Don’t Borrow to Gamble: If you need to borrow money to gamble, you have a problem. Full stop.
6. Keep It Fun: The moment gambling stops being fun and becomes stressful or compulsive, stop. Seriously, just stop.
Think About the Odds
Look, the house always wins. That’s how casinos stay in business. You might get lucky short-term, but long-term, you’re gonna lose money.
Online pokies have an RTP (return to player) of about 95-97%. That means for every $100 you bet, you’ll get back $95-97 on average. You’re paying $3-5 for entertainment.
If you’re okay with that, cool. If you’re gambling thinking you’ll make money long-term, you’re delusional.
For Family and Friends
If someone you care about has a gambling problem, here’s what you need to know:
Don’t Be an Enabler
- Don’t lend them money (they’ll use it to gamble)
- Don’t pay their debts (they’ll just create new ones)
- Don’t cover for them or make excuses
I know it’s hard. You want to help. But enabling just lets the problem continue.
What Actually Helps
- Express concern without judgment: “I’m worried about you” not “you’re being an idiot”
- Encourage them to seek professional help
- Set boundaries: “I’ll support you, but I won’t give you money”
- Look after yourself too (you can’t help them if you’re burnt out)
Resources for families:
- Gambler’s Help Family Support
- Al-Anon Family Groups (they do Gam-Anon too)
Our Commitment to Responsible Gambling
Every casino we review gets evaluated on responsible gambling features:
- Self-exclusion options
- Deposit and loss limits
- Reality check reminders
- Links to support organizations
- Staff training on problem gambling
- Age verification processes
We won’t recommend casinos that don’t take this stuff seriously. Yeah, it might cost us some affiliate commissions. Don’t care.
We also donate 5% of our annual profits to gambling addiction support services. It’s not much, but it’s something.
Underage Gambling: Absolutely Not
If you’re under 18, you shouldn’t be on gambling sites. Full stop.
We actively discourage any casino that doesn’t have proper age verification. If we find a casino letting minors gamble, we’ll blast them publicly and refuse to work with them.
For parents: Use parental controls on devices. Talk to your kids about gambling risks. Monitor their online activity. The eSafety Commissioner has resources for keeping kids safe online.
The Reality Check I Wish I’d Given My Mate
Here’s what I wish I’d said to my friend before he lost everything:
Gambling’s meant to be fun. A bit of entertainment. The moment it becomes more than that, the moment you’re lying about it or hiding it or stressing about it, you need to stop.
There’s no shame in having a problem. There’s only shame in not doing anything about it.
If you’re reading this and thinking “s**t, that might be me,” then call 1800 858 858. Right now. Seriously, put down your phone, pick it up again, and call.
They’ll talk to you confidentially. No judgment. Just help.
National Gambling Helpline: 1800 858 858 (24/7, free, confidential)
In Crisis? Call Lifeline: 13 11 14
Need to self-exclude? Register at BetStop.gov.au