Staying in control

Setting your spending limits upfront

A limit works best when it is set before you open a game, not while you are playing. Decide what you can afford to lose in a session and over a week, treat that amount as spent, and keep it separate from money set aside for rent, bills and food. A deposit limit caps what can go into the account, so it holds even when you are tempted to top up mid-session.

Session limits work on time rather than money. Set a length you are comfortable with, use the timer or reminder tools in your account, and stop when it sounds rather than when the balance reaches zero. If you find yourself raising a limit to keep playing, that is worth noticing: limits you keep moving are not really limits. Our partner's cashier and account settings are where these controls sit, and they can be tightened at any time.

Recognising the chase for losses

Chasing is the decision to increase stakes or keep playing after a loss in order to win the money back. It often feels reasonable at the time, because the next spin might recover everything, but each spin is independent and the money already lost is gone regardless of what happens next. Common signs are playing past the limit you set, depositing again after saying you would stop, and betting larger amounts to make a shortfall back quickly.

A useful test is whether you would have made the same bet if you had not just lost. If the answer is no, the loss is driving the decision rather than your plan. Nobody can recover a loss on demand, and no strategy changes the long-run return of a pokie. Stepping away, closing the account for a period, or taking a break through BetStop are all more reliable than playing on.

Who to call when it stops being a game

If gambling is affecting your money, your sleep, your work or the people around you, help is available and it is free. Gambling Help Online offers counselling and support, and BetStop is the national self-exclusion register, which lets you block yourself from gambling services for a period you choose. Both are independent of this site and of our partner, and using either does not require you to explain yourself to a casino.

Reaching out early is easier than waiting for a crisis. A counsellor can talk through what is happening without judgement, and self-exclusion through BetStop applies across participating operators rather than a single account. This site is for adults only, and if you are under the age required to gamble in Australia, the material here is not for you. If you are worried about someone else, the same services can advise you.

Can I change my deposit limit later?

Yes, deposit limits can normally be adjusted in your account settings, though increases usually take effect after a delay while decreases apply straight away. If you find yourself raising a limit soon after setting it, treat that as a signal rather than a routine change.

What is the difference between Gambling Help Online and BetStop?

Gambling Help Online provides counselling and support, while BetStop is the national self-exclusion register that blocks you from gambling services for a period you choose. They do different jobs, and you can use either or both without going through our partner.