Responsible Gambling in Australia — Help and Resources

Understanding Problem Gambling

Problem gambling — sometimes called gambling disorder or compulsive gambling — is a recognised health condition in which a person is unable to control or limit their gambling despite serious negative consequences to their life, relationships, finances, or mental health. It is not a matter of willpower or moral failing. It is a behavioural addiction that changes the way the brain processes reward, risk, and decision-making, and it can affect anyone regardless of age, income, education, or background.

Problem gambling typically develops gradually. What begins as occasional recreational gambling can escalate over time, particularly when a person starts chasing losses, increasing the size or frequency of their bets, or relying on gambling as a way to cope with stress, boredom, or emotional pain. The transition from recreational gambling to harmful gambling is rarely sudden, which is part of what makes it so difficult for people to recognise the problem in themselves. Early wins can create a false sense of control. Losses accumulate quietly. By the time the harm becomes obvious, the pattern is already deeply entrenched.

In Australia, gambling is deeply embedded in the culture. Australians lose more per capita on gambling than the citizens of any other country in the world. According to research published by the Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC) at the Australian Institute of Family Studies, an estimated 1–2% of Australian adults experience significant gambling harm, with another 5–8% at moderate risk. These figures represent hundreds of thousands of individuals and families. Beyond those who gamble, researchers estimate that for every person with a gambling problem, between five and ten other people — partners, children, parents, friends, colleagues — are also directly affected by the consequences.

Problem gambling is classified as a behavioural addiction in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), alongside substance use disorders. This classification reflects decades of clinical research demonstrating that the neurological patterns associated with problem gambling closely mirror those seen in drug and alcohol addiction. The same reward pathways are activated. The same tolerance and withdrawal patterns emerge. And the same cycle of escalation, harm, and loss of control plays out. It is a treatable condition, and effective help is available at no cost to anyone in Australia who needs it.

Signs of Problem Gambling

Recognising the signs of problem gambling is the first step toward getting help. Not everyone who gambles will develop a problem, but if you or someone you know is experiencing several of the following, it may be time to speak with a professional. This is not a diagnostic tool — it is a guide to help you reflect honestly on your situation.

• Spending more than you can afford to lose. Gambling with money that is needed for rent, bills, food, or other essential expenses. Finding that your budget is regularly stretched or that you are falling behind on financial commitments because of gambling.
• Chasing losses. Betting more money in an attempt to recover what you have already lost. This is one of the most common and destructive patterns in problem gambling. The belief that a win is “due” or that you can win back what you have lost almost always leads to greater losses.
• Borrowing money or selling things to gamble. Asking family or friends for loans, taking out credit, using payday lenders, selling personal belongings, or accessing savings and superannuation to fund gambling activity.
• Lying to family or friends about gambling. Concealing the extent of your gambling, hiding bank statements, clearing browser history, or making excuses about where money has gone. Secrecy is a strong indicator that gambling has moved beyond recreation.
• Neglecting work, study, or relationships. Missing work, falling behind on deadlines, cancelling plans with friends, withdrawing from family, or neglecting household responsibilities in order to gamble or because of the emotional aftermath of gambling.
• Feeling anxious, stressed, or depressed about gambling. Experiencing persistent worry about gambling debts, feeling shame or guilt after gambling sessions, or noticing that your mental health is deteriorating in ways that are connected to your gambling.
• Finding it hard to stop or take a break. Telling yourself you will stop after one more bet, setting limits but consistently exceeding them, or feeling unable to walk away even when you genuinely want to.
• Using gambling to escape problems or feel better. Turning to gambling as a way to cope with stress, loneliness, boredom, anxiety, grief, or depression rather than addressing the underlying issues. Using it as a form of emotional anaesthesia.
• Spending increasing amounts of time gambling. Needing to gamble more frequently or for longer periods to achieve the same level of excitement or satisfaction. This pattern of escalation is a hallmark of addiction.
• Feeling restless or irritable when trying to stop. Experiencing agitation, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, or a sense of emptiness when you are not gambling or when you attempt to cut back. These are withdrawal-like symptoms that indicate dependence.

If you recognise yourself in any of these descriptions, please know that you are not alone and that help is available. Even if you are unsure whether your gambling qualifies as a “problem,” speaking to a counsellor can help you understand your situation and explore your options. The Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858) is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You do not need to be in crisis to call.

Self-Assessment

If you are reading this page, you may already have a sense that something is not right with your relationship to gambling. That awareness itself is meaningful, and it takes courage to confront it honestly.

The most widely recognised screening tool for gambling problems is the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), which forms part of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index. The PGSI is a validated nine-item questionnaire used by health professionals, researchers, and support services across Australia and internationally. It asks about gambling behaviours and their consequences over the past 12 months, and assigns a score that indicates whether your gambling falls within the non-problem, low-risk, moderate-risk, or problem gambling range.

While the PGSI is a useful starting point for self-reflection, it is not a substitute for professional assessment. A score on a questionnaire cannot capture the full picture of how gambling is affecting your life, your relationships, or your mental health. People experience gambling harm across the entire spectrum — you do not need to score in the “problem gambling” range to deserve support, and you do not need to have hit rock bottom before reaching out.

We encourage anyone with concerns about their own gambling, or the gambling of someone they care about, to speak with a trained counsellor. You do not need to have a formal diagnosis. You do not need to be certain. Early intervention consistently leads to better outcomes. Contact Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au for free, confidential support at any time.

BetStop — The National Self-Exclusion Register

BetStop is the Australian Government’s National Self-Exclusion Register — a free service that allows anyone to voluntarily exclude themselves from all licensed Australian interactive wagering services with a single registration. It is administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and was launched on 21 August 2023.

Before BetStop existed, anyone wanting to self-exclude from gambling had to contact each betting operator individually — a process that was time-consuming, inconsistent, and often ineffective. BetStop changed that by creating a single, centralised register that covers every licensed interactive wagering operator in the country.

Uptake and Review

Since its introduction, BetStop has seen strong uptake. As of Q1 2025–26, more than 49,382 registrations had been recorded. This demonstrates both the scale of demand for self-exclusion tools and the willingness of Australians to take proactive steps to manage their gambling. A formal BetStop Review was tabled in Parliament in February 2026, examining the programme’s effectiveness, implementation challenges, and potential areas for expansion.

How to Register

Registration is completed online at betstop.gov.au. You will need:

• Your phone number (for SMS verification)
• Your email address
• A valid Australian driver’s licence or Medicare card for identity verification

The process takes approximately ten minutes. There is no cost at any stage, and you do not need to speak with anyone — the entire registration can be completed independently online.

Duration Options

You can choose an exclusion period of a minimum of three months up to a lifetime ban. The available options are typically three months, six months, twelve months, or lifetime. There is no wrong choice. If you have chosen a fixed-term exclusion and want to return to gambling after it expires, there is a mandatory cooling-off period before your exclusion can be lifted. It is not possible to shorten an active exclusion — this protection is deliberate, designed to prevent impulsive reversal during vulnerable moments.

What Happens After Registration

Once your registration is processed, all licensed Australian wagering operators are legally required to:

• Close any existing accounts you hold with them
• Return any remaining balance in your accounts
• Stop sending you marketing and promotional material
• Block you from opening new accounts for the duration of your exclusion

This applies to every licensed interactive wagering operator in Australia — not just those you have accounts with. It is a comprehensive, one-step process.

Important Limitations

BetStop covers licensed Australian interactive wagering services. This primarily means sports betting, racing, and other wagering services that hold a valid Australian licence. However, there are critical limitations that every user should understand:

• BetStop does NOT cover offshore or unlicensed online casinos. The vast majority of online casino sites, online pokies, and casino-style games accessed by Australians are operated by offshore companies that are not licensed in Australia. These operators are not connected to the BetStop system and will not receive notification of your registration, will not close your accounts, and will not stop marketing to you. This is an important distinction — if you primarily use offshore casino sites, BetStop alone will not be sufficient to restrict your access.
• BetStop does not cover land-based venues. Physical pokies in pubs, clubs, and casinos are managed through separate state and territory self-exclusion programmes.
• BetStop does not cover lotteries. State-licensed lottery services are not currently included in the register.

If you use offshore casino sites and want to limit your gambling, you should consider contacting individual operators to request account closure, using bank-level gambling blocks (offered by several Australian banks), installing website-blocking software, and speaking with a counsellor about additional strategies for managing your gambling across all platforms.

State and Territory Help Services

In addition to the national Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858), each Australian state and territory operates dedicated gambling support services. These services are government-funded, free to access, and offer a range of support including face-to-face counselling, financial counselling, and referrals tailored to local communities.

• New South Wales: GambleAware NSW — gambleaware.nsw.gov.au. Provides information, counselling referrals, and support for anyone in NSW affected by gambling harm, including family members.
• Victoria: Gambler’s Help — gamblershelp.com.au. Funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, offering free professional counselling, financial counselling, peer support, and family programmes across Victoria. Services available in multiple languages.
• Queensland: Gambling Help QLD — accessible via the national Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858) or through Queensland-specific referral pathways. Services include face-to-face counselling at locations throughout the state, online support, and programmes for affected family members.
• Western Australia: Gambling Help WA — gamblinghelponline.org.au/wa. Free counselling and support services for Western Australians affected by gambling harm, delivered through community organisations across the state.
• South Australia: Gambling Helpline SA — available through the national Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858). Provides telephone and face-to-face counselling, financial counselling through the Gamblers Rehabilitation Fund, emergency assistance, and community education.
• Tasmania: Gambling Support Program Tasmania — provides free, confidential counselling and financial counselling for Tasmanians affected by problem gambling, including support for family members.
• Australian Capital Territory: ACT Gambling Support Service — offers free counselling, support groups, and referrals for ACT residents experiencing gambling harm. Services delivered through Relationships Australia Canberra & Region and other community organisations.
• Northern Territory: Amity Community Services — the primary provider of gambling-related support in the NT, offering free and confidential counselling, community outreach, and support for individuals and families affected by gambling.

If you are not sure which service to contact, calling the national Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 will connect you with someone who can direct you to the most appropriate local service for your situation.

Tools for Responsible Gambling

Most licensed gambling operators offer a range of tools designed to help you stay in control of your gambling. If you choose to gamble, understanding and using these tools is one of the most practical steps you can take to reduce the risk of harm. They are not a guarantee against problems, but they create friction and visibility that can make a meaningful difference.

Deposit limits allow you to set a maximum amount you can deposit into your gambling account over a given period — daily, weekly, or monthly. Once you reach your limit, you cannot deposit more until the period resets. Most operators allow you to lower your limit at any time, with the change taking effect immediately. Increases, by contrast, are subject to a mandatory cooling-off period of at least 24 to 72 hours before taking effect. This asymmetry is deliberate — it is designed to make it easy to reduce your risk but difficult to increase it on impulse.

Session time limits and reality checks help you maintain awareness of how long you have been gambling. A session time limit will lock you out of your account after a specified period. A reality check displays a pop-up notification at regular intervals reminding you of how long you have been playing and how much you have deposited, wagered, won, or lost during the session. These interruptions break the flow state that can lead to unplanned spending.

Cool-off periods are temporary self-exclusion options that allow you to block yourself from a specific operator for a set period, typically ranging from 24 hours to six months. During a cool-off, you cannot log in, place bets, or receive marketing from that operator. This is a useful middle ground between setting limits and full self-exclusion.

Self-exclusion through an individual operator permanently closes your account and prevents you from reopening it. This is separate from BetStop and applies only to the specific operator you contact. For comprehensive coverage across all licensed Australian wagering services, BetStop is the more effective option.

Loss limits cap the total amount you can lose within a defined period. Once your losses reach the limit, you will not be able to place further bets until the period resets. Wager limits work similarly but cap the total amount you can stake, regardless of whether you are winning or losing.

The availability and implementation of these tools varies between operators. Some offer all of them as standard; others provide only a subset. We strongly recommend checking what responsible gambling tools are available with any platform before you sign up. An operator that does not provide robust, easily accessible responsible gambling tools is one that does not deserve your business.

Advice for Family and Friends

If someone you care about is struggling with gambling, you are likely feeling a mix of worry, frustration, confusion, and helplessness. These feelings are completely normal. Supporting someone with a gambling problem is genuinely difficult, and it is important to recognise that you need and deserve support too.

Recognising the Signs

You may notice unexplained financial difficulties, secretive behaviour around money or devices, mood swings, withdrawal from family activities or social life, or an increasing preoccupation with sport, racing, or time spent on a phone or computer. The person may become defensive or angry if questioned about their gambling, or go to considerable lengths to conceal their activity. Unexplained absences, missing household money, and sudden requests for loans can all be indicators.

How to Approach the Conversation

When you are ready to talk, choose a calm moment and approach the conversation with empathy rather than judgement. Use “I” statements — for example, “I’m worried about us” rather than “You have a problem.” Focus on specific behaviours and their impact rather than attacking the person’s character. Avoid ultimatums in the first conversation. Your goal is to open a door, not to force someone through it. People are far more likely to accept help when they feel supported rather than cornered.

Setting Boundaries

Supporting someone does not mean enabling their gambling. Lending money, covering debts, paying overdue bills caused by gambling, or making excuses for their behaviour may feel like helping in the short term, but it often removes the natural consequences that might otherwise motivate the person to seek help. Setting clear, compassionate boundaries is one of the most important things you can do — both for the person gambling and for your own wellbeing.

Looking After Yourself

Living with someone who has a gambling problem takes a serious toll on your own mental health, finances, and relationships. You deserve support regardless of whether the person gambling is ready to seek help. The following services are available to family members and friends:

• Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858 — available to family members and friends, not just the person who gambles
• Financial Counselling Australia: 1800 007 007 — free, confidential financial counselling for anyone experiencing financial difficulty, including difficulty caused by another person’s gambling
• Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277 — relationship counselling, family support, and mediation services
• Lifeline: 13 11 14 — 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 — support for anxiety, depression, and emotional wellbeing

Online Gambling and Specific Risks

Online gambling presents a distinct set of risks that do not exist — or exist to a lesser degree — in traditional land-based gambling environments. Understanding these risks is important for anyone who gambles online, and we believe it is important to be honest about them, particularly on a site that reviews online gambling products.

24/7 access removes natural breaks. Unlike a physical venue that closes at the end of the night, an online gambling site is available at any time of day or night. There is no commute home, no closing time, no natural stopping point. This constant availability makes it much easier to gamble impulsively, to extend sessions well beyond what you intended, or to return to gambling at three in the morning when your judgement and emotional resilience are at their lowest.

Playing alone eliminates social cues. In a physical venue, friends, family, or even strangers can notice if something is wrong. Someone might suggest it is time to call it a night. Online, you are alone with your device. Nobody sees your losses, your frustration, the time passing, or the expression on your face. The social feedback loop that might otherwise prompt you to stop simply does not exist.

Speed of play accelerates losses. Online games — particularly online pokies — can be played at a much faster rate than their physical counterparts. A single spin takes a fraction of a second. In a land-based venue, mechanical limitations and the pace of human interaction impose natural pauses between bets. Online, those pauses are eliminated entirely. Losses can accumulate far more rapidly than most people realise, and the compressed timeframe makes it harder to assess your actual financial position as you play.

Immersive design features blur the line between winning and losing. Online gambling products are carefully engineered to maximise engagement. Features such as near-misses (where the result appears tantalizingly close to a win but is actually a loss), losses disguised as wins (where a payout that is less than your original wager is presented with celebratory graphics, animations, and sounds), and variable reward schedules all contribute to a playing experience that makes it genuinely difficult to know whether you are ahead or behind.

Easy access to funds removes friction. With saved payment methods, instant deposits, and cryptocurrency options, transferring money into a gambling account takes seconds. There is no queue at an ATM, no physical walk to withdraw cash. The lack of friction between the impulse to gamble and the act of depositing money makes impulsive, regrettable decisions significantly more likely.

Bonuses and promotions encourage continued play. Welcome bonuses, free spins, cashback offers, reload bonuses, and VIP programmes are designed to incentivise deposits and extend play. Wagering requirements attached to bonuses often mean that you need to bet many multiples of the bonus amount before you can withdraw any associated winnings, effectively locking you into extended play and increased financial exposure.

Our Commitment

We operate a casino review website. We are acutely aware of the tension inherent in that position. Reviewing and comparing online casinos while simultaneously acknowledging the harm that gambling can cause is a contradiction that we do not shy away from and do not pretend to have perfectly resolved.

We believe that if people are going to gamble — and many Australians will, regardless of legal frameworks, regulatory action, or well-intentioned warnings — they deserve access to honest, accurate information about the platforms they use. They also deserve to know, clearly and prominently, where to get help if gambling stops being something they enjoy and starts being something they cannot control.

Every page on this site that discusses gambling includes responsible gambling warnings and helpline numbers. This is not a token gesture. We include the Gambling Helpline number (1800 858 858) and a link to BetStop on every casino review, every comparison page, and every guide we publish. No page on this site is exempt from that commitment.

This specific page generates no revenue. There are no affiliate links here, no promotional offers, no bonus codes, and no calls to action encouraging you to gamble. It exists for one reason: to ensure that anyone who needs help can find it quickly and without obstruction. If our content has contributed to harm in any way, we want to hear about it. We are committed to reviewing and improving our approach to responsible gambling on an ongoing basis.

Sources and References

This page draws on the following authoritative sources. We encourage anyone seeking further information to consult these primary sources directly for the most current data and guidance.

• Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC), Australian Institute of Family Studies — aifs.gov.au/research/gambling
• BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register, Australian Government — betstop.gov.au
• Gambling Help Online — gamblinghelponline.org.au
• Department of Social Services, Australian Government — gambling policy, harm minimisation frameworks, National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering, and BetStop programme oversight
• Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) — acma.gov.au — interactive gambling regulation, enforcement, and BetStop administration
• GambleAware NSW — gambleaware.nsw.gov.au
• Gambler’s Help (Victoria), Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — gamblershelp.com.au
• Financial Counselling Australia — 1800 007 007
• Relationships Australia — 1300 364 277
• Lifeline Australia — 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636