Responsible Gaming

If you're considering online gambling, the most important thing to understand first is that it's not a way to earn money or recover losses. Gambling is a form of paid entertainment with a built-in house advantage. The odds are designed to favour the operator. Knowing this before you start helps you make a clearer choice about what you can genuinely afford to lose.

ACMA named Lucky Ones in its December 2024 blocking notice. General harm-reduction advice does not authorise Australian access.

It's Entertainment with Real Costs

Every bet you place is a cost, not an investment. The house edge means that over time, most players lose money. That's how online casinos stay in business. If you decide to gamble, treat it the same way you'd treat cinema tickets or a dinner out—as money that's already gone the moment you spend it.

Watch for These Warning Signs

• Gambling more often or for longer than you planned
• Chasing losses by betting more to win it back
• Feeling anxious, irritable or secretive about your gambling
• Borrowing money or using savings meant for bills to gamble
• Neglecting work, study, family or friendships because of gambling

If any of these sound familiar, it's time to pause and reach out.

Set Real Limits Before You Start

Decide on a money amount you can afford to lose completely—not money you need for rent, food or other essentials. Set that as your absolute limit. Many people also find it helpful to choose a time limit: decide in advance how long you'll spend gambling and stick to it. Once your time or money is up, stop.

Take a Break

If you notice you're thinking about gambling frequently, spending more than you planned, or feeling stressed about it, take a break. A week or a month away can help you reset. You don't need to gamble to have fun or relax.

Free, Confidential Support

If gambling is causing you worry, financial strain or relationship tension, talking to someone can make a real difference. Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential counselling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across Australia.

• Phone: 1800 858 858
• Online: Gambling Help Online contact options

Support is available whether you're gambling online, at a venue, or in any other form. Counsellors can help you understand what's happening and work out next steps that suit your situation.

What BetStop Does and Doesn't Cover

BetStop is a free national self-exclusion service for Australian-licensed online and phone betting providers. If you register with BetStop, you're excluded from those operators only. BetStop does not block offshore online casinos. If you're concerned about your gambling across all platforms, talk to Gambling Help Online about other support options.