Responsible Gaming

Gambling Should Be Entertainment, Not a Way to Make Money

At impactsocialenterprise.com, we want your experience with new Australian online pokies to be enjoyable and safe. Gambling should always be treated as a form of entertainment — a leisure activity you pay for, like going to the movies or dining out. It should never be viewed as a way to earn money, pay off debts, or solve financial problems.

The reality is that all gambling games, including online pokies, are designed so the house has an edge over time. Losses are a normal and expected part of gambling. Only ever gamble with money you can comfortably afford to lose, and never gamble with money set aside for essentials such as rent, bills, groceries, or savings.

Before you play, set yourself clear limits on how much time and money you're willing to spend — and stick to them, win or lose.

Age Verification — 18+ Only

In Australia, you must be at least 18 years of age to gamble legally. This applies to all forms of gambling, including online pokies, casinos, sports betting, and lotteries.

Licensed operators are required to verify the age and identity of their customers. Never create an account on behalf of a minor, and never allow anyone under 18 to use your gambling account or devices.

If you share a computer or mobile device with young people, we strongly recommend:

• Using parental control software (such as Net Nanny or Qustodio) to block gambling sites
• Never saving gambling passwords on shared devices
• Logging out of gambling accounts after every session
• Keeping payment details secure and out of reach

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can affect anyone, regardless of age, income, or background. It often develops gradually, which makes it easy to miss. Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you or someone you care about:

• Chasing losses — gambling more to try to win back money you've lost
• Hiding your gambling — lying to family or friends about how much you gamble or how much you've lost
• Gambling with money you can't afford — using rent money, bill money, or savings to gamble
• Borrowing money to gamble — taking out loans, using credit cards, or borrowing from others to fund gambling
• Gambling to escape — playing to avoid stress, anxiety, depression, or other problems
• Thinking about gambling constantly — preoccupation with the next bet or reliving past gambling sessions
• Neglecting responsibilities — skipping work, study, or family commitments to gamble
• Increasing your bets — needing to gamble with larger amounts to get the same excitement
• Failed attempts to cut back — trying to stop or reduce gambling but being unable to
• Mood changes — feeling irritable, restless, or anxious when not gambling
• Selling possessions — selling belongings or pawning items to fund gambling
• Relationship strain — gambling causing conflict with your partner, family, or friends

If you recognise even one or two of these signs in yourself, it may be time to take a break and seek support. Recognising a problem early is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Self-Help Tools and Safer Gambling Features

Licensed gambling operators in Australia are required to offer tools that help you stay in control. We encourage you to use them proactively — set them up before you start playing, not after problems arise:

• Deposit Limits — cap how much money you can deposit into your account daily, weekly, or monthly. Once reached, you cannot deposit more until the period resets.
• Loss Limits — set a maximum amount you're willing to lose over a given period. When you hit it, you won't be able to keep playing.
• Wager Limits — restrict the total amount you can bet within a set timeframe.
• Session Time Limits — limit how long you can stay logged in and playing in a single session.
• Reality Checks — on-screen reminders that show how long you've been playing and how much you've won or lost, helping you stay aware of your activity.
• Cooling-Off / Time-Out Periods — take a short break from gambling, from 24 hours to several weeks, during which you cannot access your account.
• Self-Exclusion — block yourself from gambling for a longer period (months to permanently). In Australia, you can register with BetStop (www.betstop.gov.au), the National Self-Exclusion Register, to exclude yourself from all licensed Australian online and telephone wagering services in one step.
• Account Closure — permanently close your account with any operator at any time. This is your right.

Additional practical steps you can take include: never gambling while drinking alcohol or feeling distressed, keeping track of your spending with a gambling diary, balancing gambling with other hobbies and social activities, and never using gambling to cope with financial stress.

Support Organisations — Help Is Available in Australia

If gambling is causing problems for you or someone you love, free, confidential, and non-judgemental help is available. You don't have to deal with this alone.

Australian Support Services

• Gambling Help Online — Free, confidential 24/7 support for anyone affected by gambling in Australia, including counselling via chat, email, and phone. Call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
• BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register — Register once to exclude yourself from all Australian licensed interactive wagering services. Visit www.betstop.gov.au or call 1800 238 786
• Lifeline Australia — 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention. Call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au
• Gamblers Anonymous Australia — Peer support groups based on a 12-step recovery program, with meetings across Australia and online. Visit www.gaaustralia.org.au
• Gambling Help Services (state-based) — Free face-to-face counselling is available in every Australian state and territory. Find your local service via www.gamblinghelponline.org.au

International Resources

• Gamblers Anonymous International — www.gamblersanonymous.org
• Gambling Therapy (Gordon Moody) — Free online support available globally — www.gamblingtherapy.org

If You Have a Problem, Seek Help Today

If any part of this page sounds familiar — if you're chasing losses, hiding your gambling, or feeling out of control — please reach out for help today. Gambling problems are treatable, and recovery is absolutely possible. Taking the first step is often the hardest, but it's the most important one.

Call Gambling Help Online now on 1800 858 858 — it's free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you're in immediate crisis or distress, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Remember: gambling should be fun. The moment it stops being fun, it's time to stop.

Last reviewed: 2026 — impactsocialenterprise.com