Safer gambling
Betting is entertainment with a price on it
It is not income, and it is not a way to fix a shortfall. This page covers what a problem looks like, the controls every licensed Australian operator has to give you, and where to get help for free.
Right now
Need to talk to someone today?
Gambling Help Online is free, confidential and open 24 hours. You do not need a referral and you do not have to give your name.
Warning signs
Six things worth noticing
One of these on its own is not a diagnosis. Several of them together is worth a conversation with someone who does this for a living.
Your controls
What every licensed operator must offer
These are not favours. Australian licence conditions require them, and you will find them in account settings or through support.
| Deposit limits | Cap what can move into the account daily, weekly or monthly. Increases are held for a cooling-off period; decreases apply immediately. |
|---|---|
| Loss limits | Set a ceiling on what you can lose over a period, independent of what you deposit. |
| Session reminders | A prompt on screen telling you how long you have been logged in and where you stand. |
| Take a break | Lock the account for a set period, usually from 24 hours up to several months, without closing it. |
| Self-exclusion | Shut the account for a fixed term or permanently. It cannot be reversed on request during the term. |
Set the deposit limit on day one, while nothing is riding on it. Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register, BetStop, goes further: one registration covers every licensed Australian wagering operator at once, for three months or longer, and operators must stop marketing to you as well.
Help services
Free help across Australia
None of these services charge, and none of them are run by an operator.
Gambling Help Online
Free, confidential counselling by phone, web chat or email, around the clock, anywhere in Australia.
1800 858 858BetStop
The National Self-Exclusion Register. One registration blocks you from every licensed Australian wagering operator, online and by phone, for a minimum of three months.
betstop.gov.auGambler’s Help
Free, professional face-to-face and phone counselling, including support for family and friends.
gamblershelp.com.auIf someone close to you is gambling in a way that worries you, these services will talk to you too. You do not have to be the person placing the bets.