Responsible Gambling in Australia

What Does Responsible Gambling Mean in Practice?

Responsible gambling means maintaining control over your gambling activity – both financially and behaviourally. The house edge ensures casinos profit long-term; understanding this mathematical reality helps frame gambling as entertainment with a cost, not an income opportunity.

How Can You Recognise Problem Gambling?

Problem gambling is clinically defined using the DSM-5 criteria. Four or more of these symptoms within 12 months indicates gambling disorder:

• Needing to gamble with increasing amounts to achieve the same excitement
• Restlessness or irritability when attempting to reduce gambling
• Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop
• Frequent preoccupation with gambling (reliving past experiences, planning next session, thinking about funding)
• Gambling when feeling distressed (helpless, guilty, anxious, depressed)
• Chasing losses – returning after losing to try to win it back
• Lying to conceal gambling involvement
• Jeopardising significant relationships, jobs, or opportunities due to gambling
• Relying on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling

If you recognise these patterns, professional support is available. Gambling disorder is treatable with cognitive-behavioural therapy showing strong efficacy.

What Practical Limits Should You Set?

How to Set Financial Limits

Before gambling, determine your loss limit – the maximum you'll lose in a session. This amount should meet these criteria:

• Not needed for rent, bills, food, savings, or debt repayments
• Losing it won't affect your ability to meet financial obligations
• You've mentally written it off as an entertainment expense

Use casino deposit limits to enforce this mechanically. Daily, weekly, and monthly limits prevent in-the-moment decisions to deposit more.

How to Set Time Limits

Time distortion is common during gambling – hours feel like minutes. Set a phone alarm for session length. Most casinos offer session time limits that log you out automatically, and reality check pop-ups showing session duration and net position.

Take mandatory breaks: 10 minutes every hour helps maintain perspective and decision-making clarity.

How to Use Casino Self-Management Tools

Licensed casinos must provide responsible gambling tools. Use them proactively:

• Deposit limits: Set before you need them – you can't increase them instantly (cooling-off periods apply)
• Loss limits: Automatically stops play when reached
• Wagering limits: Caps bet sizes
• Session time limits: Forces logout after set duration
• Self-exclusion: Blocks access for 24 hours to permanent periods
• Reality checks: Periodic pop-ups showing session statistics

Which Behaviours Indicate Increasing Risk?

These patterns suggest gambling is becoming problematic:

• Chasing losses: Depositing more after losing to "win it back"
• Gambling under emotional distress: Using gambling to cope with negative feelings
• Gambling while intoxicated: Alcohol impairs judgment and increases risk-taking
• Borrowing to gamble: Using credit cards, loans, or asking others for gambling funds
• Gambling as primary leisure activity: Replacing other interests and social activities
• Secretive behaviour: Hiding gambling activity from partners or family

If you notice these patterns, consider speaking with a counsellor or using self-exclusion tools.

What Strategies Help Maintain Control?

Practical approaches that work:

• Set limits before each session and treat them as non-negotiable
• Never gamble with money allocated for other purposes
• Keep gambling separate from alcohol consumption
• Balance gambling with non-gambling activities and relationships
• Review your gambling history monthly (casinos provide transaction records)
• Accept that losses are the expected outcome – wins are the exception
• Never view gambling as a solution to financial problems

How Can You Help Someone With Gambling Problems?

If you're concerned about someone's gambling:

• Approach the topic non-judgmentally – focus on behaviour impacts, not character
• Express concern using specific observations ("I've noticed...") rather than accusations
• Don't lend money or cover gambling-related debts – this enables continued gambling
• Encourage professional help without ultimatums
• Protect your own finances (separate accounts if necessary)
• Consider support for yourself through organisations like GamAnon

What Support Services Are Available in Australia?

Free, confidential support services:

• Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858 (24/7) – counselling, information, referrals
• Gamblers Anonymous: Peer support groups across Australia
• GamAnon: Support for family and friends of problem gamblers
• Financial Counselling Australia: 1800 007 007 – help with gambling debts

These services are staffed by trained counsellors. Calling doesn't commit you to anything – it's a starting point for understanding your options.

Why Does the House Always Win Long-Term?

Mathematical reality: every casino game has a built-in house edge. On average:

• Pokies: 3-10% house edge (you lose $3-$10 per $100 wagered on average)
• Roulette (European): 2.7% house edge
• Blackjack (with strategy): 0.5% house edge

Short-term wins occur due to variance, but the longer you play, the closer your results approach the mathematical expectation – a loss. This isn't pessimism; it's probability theory. Treat any wins as fortunate variance, and budget for gambling as you would any entertainment expense with no expected return.