Need help right now?
If you're in crisis or need to speak to someone urgently, these services are free, confidential, and available around the clock.
You can also chat online 24/7 at gamblinghelponline.org.au — no phone call required.
Our position on responsible gambling
We run a casino review site. We earn commissions when players sign up through our links. We're aware that this creates a potential conflict of interest when it comes to responsible gambling, and we want to be direct about how we handle it.
We don't recommend casinos that don't have adequate responsible gambling tools — deposit limits, session limits, reality checks, and self-exclusion. This is a genuine requirement for our list, not a checkbox. We've removed casinos that were slow to process self-exclusion requests or that used dark patterns to discourage players from setting limits.
We also don't target advertising at people who are vulnerable or who have indicated they have a gambling problem. If you've self-excluded from a casino, you should not be seeing ads for it — if that's happening, it's a compliance failure on the casino's part, and it's something licensing authorities take seriously.
Signs that gambling may have become a problem
Problem gambling doesn't always look dramatic. It often starts gradually. These are some of the signs that gambling may have moved from entertainment into something more concerning:
- Spending more than you planned to, or more than you can afford to lose
- Chasing losses — gambling more to try to win back money you've lost
- Thinking about gambling a lot when you're not doing it
- Hiding gambling activity from people close to you
- Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, or other difficult emotions
- Borrowing money or selling things to fund gambling
- Neglecting work, relationships, or other responsibilities because of gambling
- Feeling anxious or irritable when you're not able to gamble
One or two of these occasionally doesn't necessarily mean you have a problem. But if several apply, or if they're happening regularly, it's worth talking to someone.
Self-assessment checklist
The following questions are adapted from the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). They're not a clinical diagnosis — they're a starting point for reflection. Answer honestly, just for yourself.
If you've ticked three or more boxes, please consider reaching out to Gambling Help Online (1800 858 858). Talking to someone is free, confidential, and often the most helpful first step.
Practical tools to stay in control
Deposit limits
All reputable Australian-friendly casinos allow you to set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits. Set these before you start playing, not after a bad session. Limits that reduce your maximum deposit take effect immediately; limits that increase it are usually delayed 24–72 hours — this is a deliberate safety feature, not a bug.
Session time limits and reality checks
Most licensed casinos offer session timers and "reality check" prompts that interrupt your session at regular intervals to show you how long you've been playing and how much you've won or lost. Turn these on.
Self-exclusion
If you want to stop gambling at a specific casino, request self-exclusion. This legally prevents the casino from allowing you to play or accepting deposits from you for the period you specify — typically a minimum of six months. Once in place, the casino is not permitted to send you marketing communications either.
For a broader exclusion, BetStop is Australia's National Self-Exclusion Register. Registering on BetStop excludes you from all licensed interactive wagering services operating in Australia simultaneously.
Blocking software
Apps like Gamban, BetBlocker (free), and Gamblock can block gambling websites across all your devices. They work at the network level, so they're effective even if you'd otherwise be tempted to disable them.
BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register: Register at betstop.gov.au or call 1800 238 786. It's free, and it excludes you from all licensed Australian gambling services at once.
For friends and family
If someone close to you is struggling with gambling, it can be difficult to know what to do. Some things that tend to help:
- Talk to them calmly, at a time when neither of you is stressed or rushed
- Focus on specific behaviours and how they've affected you, rather than labelling the person as "a gambler"
- Don't cover losses or lend money — this enables continued gambling and delays recovery
- Look after yourself too — Gambler's Help has counselling services for affected family members, not just gamblers themselves
The National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) can also help if gambling has created financial problems for your household.