All content on View For View is intended for adults. Gambling is for individuals 18 years of age and older, and it is best approached as any evening out: something you spend money on, enjoy, and then leave. The games we describe are designed so the house wins in the long run. Money spent on them is the cost of entertainment, not a method of earning.
Signs it might be becoming a problem
- Allocating more funds or hours than intended, or trying to recover losses
- Spending money intended for groceries, bills or rent, or taking out loans to gamble
- Concealing how much you gamble from those close to you
- Experiencing low mood, irritability or anxiety about gambling
- Gambling as a way to avoid loneliness, boredom or stress
Limits you can set
- Decide on a sum of money before beginning and consider it gone
- Use a phone alarm to establish a time limit
- Don't take your cards with you
- Avoid it if you're feeling tired, upset or have consumed alcohol
- Ensure some days remain entirely gambling-free
Where to get help in Australia
National Gambling Helpline: 1800 858 858. Confidential, professional and free assistance for anyone in Australia, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Email and online chat are also provided by Gambling Help Online. It features a self-help program consisting of small modules that provide tools and strategies: gamblinghelponline.org.au.
BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register. Through this free Australian Government service, you can self-exclude from every licensed Australian phone and online wagering provider using a single process. You select the duration, ranging from three months up to a lifetime. Providers are forbidden from opening accounts for you, allowing you to place bets or sending you marketing while you are registered. Existing accounts must be closed and credit balances refunded by them. You can name up to 5 support people, like a friend or family member.
Registration takes around 5 minutes. You'll need:
- A mobile phone
- Access to your email inbox
- One piece of ID: a Medicare card, an Australian passport or a driver's licence from an Australian territory or state
Call BetStop on 1800 238 786 to talk about other ways to verify your identity if you lack any of these. More details are at betstop.gov.au.
Online casino games and gambling services offered illegally in Australia aren't covered by BetStop.