If gambling has stopped being fun, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858. It is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — for you, or for someone worried about a partner, parent or friend. You can also chat online with a counsellor at Gambling Help Online.
This page brings together the help that exists in Australia, what each tool does and doesn’t cover, the warning signs worth acting on, and a few numbers that show what gambling really costs over time. There are no casino offers on this page.
Where to get help in Australia
| Service | Contact | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| National Gambling Helpline | 1800 858 858 (24/7, free) | Talking to a counsellor now, about your own gambling or someone else’s |
| Gambling Help Online | gamblinghelponline.org.au | Live chat, email counselling, self-help tools and a directory of face-to-face services in your state |
| BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register | betstop.gov.au | Blocking yourself from every Australian-licensed online and phone wagering provider at once |
| National Debt Helpline | 1800 007 007 (free) | Free, confidential financial counselling if gambling has left you with debts or unpaid bills |
| Lifeline | 13 11 14 (24/7) | Crisis support if you are feeling overwhelmed or unsafe |
You don’t need to be in crisis to call. Many people ring the helpline simply to check whether their gambling is something to worry about. Counsellors won’t judge you and won’t tell you what you must do.
BetStop: how the national self-exclusion register works
BetStop is a free Australian Government register. One registration blocks you from all licensed Australian online and phone wagering providers. According to BetStop, once you are registered those providers should not let you open a betting account, let you place a bet, or send you direct marketing.
| Question | Answer (from betstop.gov.au) |
|---|---|
| How long can I exclude for? | From a minimum of 3 months up to a lifetime |
| Can someone support me? | Yes — you can nominate up to 5 support people, such as a family member or friend |
| Can I cancel early? | Only after at least 3 months, and you must complete a statutory declaration confirming you have discussed it with a counsellor or GP |
| What happens at the end? | BetStop tells you (and your support people) before your period ends and asks if you want to extend |
| Does it cost anything? | No, it is free |
What BetStop does not cover
BetStop only covers Australian-licensed online and phone wagering. It does not cover offshore online casinos, which are not licensed in Australia — the kind of sites discussed elsewhere on this site. It also doesn’t cover poker machines in venues. If you want to stop playing at an offshore casino, combine BetStop with the casino’s own self-exclusion, a bank gambling block and blocking software (all explained below). Using several tools together closes the gaps that any single one leaves open.
Warning signs worth taking seriously
Problem gambling rarely starts with a big loss. It usually creeps in through small changes in habit. Be honest with yourself about the last few months:
| Sign | What it can look like |
|---|---|
| Spending more than planned | Topping up “just once more” after the budget is gone |
| Chasing losses | Playing again — often with bigger bets — to win back what you lost |
| Borrowing to gamble | Using credit, payday loans, or money meant for bills, rent or food |
| Hiding it | Not telling your partner or family how much time or money goes on gambling |
| Mood changes | Feeling anxious, irritable or low when you can’t gamble, or after a session |
| Gambling to escape | Playing to forget stress, loneliness or problems rather than for fun |
| Losing time | Sessions running much longer than intended, late nights, missed commitments |
One sign on its own doesn’t mean you have a problem. Two or more, or a sign that keeps coming back, is a good reason to talk to someone — early conversations are easier and more effective than late ones.
What gambling really costs: the maths behind the bonus
Casino games are designed to return less than you put in over time. A pokie with an RTP (return to player) of 96% keeps, on average, about 4% of every dollar wagered. That sounds small until you see how much has to be wagered to clear a typical welcome bonus. (Our guide to online pokies explains RTP and volatility in more detail.)
| Bonus received | Wagering requirement | Total you must bet | Average cost at 96% RTP |
|---|---|---|---|
| A$100 | 35x bonus | A$3,500 | about A$140 |
| A$100 | 40x bonus | A$4,000 | about A$160 |
| A$100 | 45x bonus | A$4,500 | about A$180 |
| A$100 + A$100 deposit | 35x deposit + bonus | A$7,000 | about A$280 |
How we calculated it: total bet = bonus (or deposit + bonus) × wagering requirement; average cost = total bet × (100% − RTP). These are long-run averages — any single session can end higher or lower. The wagering levels shown are in the range we have seen in operators’ own bonus terms.
In other words, on average the expected cost of clearing the wagering is larger than the bonus itself. Bonuses mainly buy time on the games — they are not free money. Seeing it in dollars makes it easier to decide whether a bonus is worth taking at all.
How to set a gambling budget you can stick to
A budget only works if it comes from money left over after everything essential is paid — not from what you hope to win. Treat it like the cost of a night out: money you have already accepted you will spend.
- Start with your income for the month, after tax.
- Take out the essentials: rent or mortgage, bills, food, transport, debt repayments and savings.
- Decide how much of what’s left goes to entertainment in general — gambling is only one part of it.
- Set your gambling share and divide it by the number of weeks, so one bad night can’t use the whole month.
- Match your casino deposit limit to that weekly figure, and stop for the week when it is reached.
| Example (monthly) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Income after tax | A$4,000 |
| Essentials, bills, savings and repayments | A$3,500 |
| Left for all entertainment | A$500 |
| Share you choose for gambling (20%) | A$100 |
| Weekly limit (A$100 ÷ 4) | A$25 |
These figures are only an illustration of the method — your own numbers will be different. What matters is the order: essentials first, gambling last, and a weekly limit that is set before you play.
If you notice the weekly limit is regularly reached in the first session, or you are tempted to move money from the essentials column, that is exactly the moment to use the tools below — or to call the helpline for a chat.
Tools that help you stay in control
| Tool | Where to find it | Covers offshore casinos? |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit and loss limits | Your casino account settings (often under “Responsible gambling”) | Only the casino where you set it |
| Time-outs and reality checks | Your casino account settings | Only that casino |
| Casino self-exclusion | Account settings or the casino’s support team | Only that casino (and sometimes its sister sites) |
| BetStop | betstop.gov.au | No — Australian-licensed wagering only |
| Bank gambling block | Most major Australian banks offer it in their app | Yes, for card payments |
| Blocking software | Apps for phone and computer that block gambling websites | Yes, on the devices where it is installed |
Set limits before you play, not after a loss
Limits work best when they are set in a calm moment. Lowering a limit usually takes effect immediately, while raising one is normally delayed — that delay is deliberate, to stop decisions made in the heat of a session. Choose a weekly or monthly deposit limit you would be comfortable losing in full.
Credit cards and online wagering
Since June 2024, Australian-licensed online wagering providers have not been allowed to accept credit cards. Offshore casinos are outside that rule, but the logic behind it applies everywhere: never gamble with borrowed money. A bank gambling block on your debit and credit cards is one of the most effective barriers you can put in place.
Common myths that keep people playing
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| “A pokie that hasn’t paid for a while is due to pay.” | Each spin is independent. The machine has no memory of previous spins. |
| “I can win back what I lost.” | Chasing losses usually increases them, because the house edge applies to every extra bet. |
| “A near miss means I’m close to winning.” | A near miss is a loss. It is designed to feel exciting, not to signal a coming win. |
| “I have a system.” | No betting system changes the RTP of a game. Over time, the maths wins. |
| “Bonuses are free money.” | Wagering requirements usually cost more, on average, than the bonus is worth (see the table above). |
Offshore casinos and your protection
Online casino services are not licensed in Australia. The casinos discussed on this site are offshore operators, so Australian consumer protections and dispute services do not apply to them. If a withdrawal is delayed, winnings are withheld or an account is closed, there is no Australian regulator to complain to — you would be relying on the operator and its foreign licensing body. Keep that in mind before depositing, and never deposit money you would need to get back quickly.
If you are worried about someone else
- Pick a calm moment to talk, not straight after a loss or an argument about money.
- Talk about what you have noticed — missing money, mood changes, time spent online — rather than labels.
- Protect your own finances: consider separate accounts and talk to the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) if money is already tight.
- Get support for yourself too. The National Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858) counsels family and friends, not only gamblers.
- Offer to be a BetStop support person if they decide to register.
Simple rules that help
- Only gamble with money you can afford to lose — never with money for bills, rent or food.
- Decide your budget and your time before you start, and stop when you reach either.
- Don’t gamble when you are upset, stressed, tired or have been drinking.
- Take regular breaks, and don’t play to escape problems.
- Treat any win as luck, not income — and consider withdrawing it straight away.
Frequently asked questions
Is the National Gambling Helpline really free and confidential?
Yes. Calls to 1800 858 858 are free, confidential and answered 24/7. You don’t have to give your name.
Will BetStop stop me playing at offshore online casinos?
No. BetStop covers Australian-licensed online and phone wagering providers only. For offshore casinos, use the casino’s own self-exclusion, a bank gambling block and blocking software.
What is the shortest BetStop exclusion?
Three months. You can choose any period from 3 months up to a lifetime, and you can extend it when it is about to end.
Can I get help with debts caused by gambling?
Yes. The National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) offers free, confidential financial counselling and can help you work out a plan with creditors.
Do casino deposit limits apply across different casinos?
No. A limit only applies to the account where you set it. That is why a bank gambling block, which works across sites, is a useful extra layer.
I only play a little. Should I still set limits?
Yes. Limits cost nothing, take a minute to set, and are easiest to keep when gambling is still under control.
About this page
Sources: BetStop’s own pages (betstop.gov.au — “About”, “What to expect” and “FAQs”) and the National Debt Helpline (ndh.org.au), read on 5 November 2026; the helpline numbers shown on this site are checked against the services’ own websites. The bonus cost table is our own calculation, explained under it. This site is for adults aged 18 and over. Written by Michael Jones.