Our Commitment to Responsible Gambling
At PokiesAustralia, we believe that playing pokies should always remain a form of entertainment — never a way to make money or escape problems. We are committed to promoting responsible gambling and providing resources to help Australians play pokies safely.
While we provide information about online pokies, we recognise that gambling carries risks. Online pokies in particular can be fast-paced and immersive, making it important to set limits. We encourage all visitors to gamble responsibly, set limits, and seek help if gambling becomes a problem.
What is Problem Gambling?
Problem gambling (sometimes called gambling disorder or compulsive gambling) occurs when gambling negatively affects a person's life — their finances, relationships, work, or mental health. It exists on a spectrum, from mild harm to severe addiction.
Problem gambling is recognised as a behavioural addiction by health professionals worldwide. Like other addictions, it can be treated, and recovery is possible with the right support.
Key Facts About Problem Gambling in Australia
- 🇦🇺 Australia has one of the highest gambling rates in the world
- 📊 Approximately 80% of Australian adults gamble at least once per year
- ⚠️ Around 1-2% of adults experience severe problem gambling
- 📈 A further 4-6% experience moderate gambling harm
- 👨👩👧👦 For every problem gambler, 5-10 others are affected (family, friends)
- 🎰 Pokies (electronic gaming machines) are the most common source of harm in Australia
⚠️ Warning Signs of Problem Pokies Play
Recognising the signs of problem gambling is the first step toward getting help. You may have a pokies problem if you:
💰 Financial Warning Signs
- Spending more money on pokies than you can afford to lose
- Borrowing money, selling possessions, or using credit to play pokies
- Chasing losses — playing more pokies to try to win back lost money
- Neglecting bills, rent, or essential expenses to fund pokies play
- Hiding bank statements or lying about finances
- Taking out loans or using payday lenders for gambling money
🎯 Behavioural Warning Signs
- Spending increasing amounts of time playing pokies
- Being preoccupied with pokies — constantly thinking about playing
- Neglecting work, study, or family responsibilities
- Playing pokies to escape problems or relieve negative emotions
- Lying to family and friends about pokies habits
- Failed attempts to cut down or stop playing pokies
- Returning to pokies after periods of abstinence
😔 Emotional Warning Signs
- Feeling restless or irritable when trying to reduce pokies play
- Feeling anxious, depressed, or hopeless about gambling
- Using pokies to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression
- Feeling guilty or ashamed after pokies sessions
- Mood swings related to wins and losses
- Thoughts of self-harm related to gambling losses
💔 Relationship Warning Signs
- Arguments with family or partner about pokies play
- Withdrawing from family and social activities
- Relationship breakdown or separation due to gambling
- Losing trust of loved ones
- Isolating yourself to hide pokies play
🧪 Quick Self-Assessment
Ask yourself these questions honestly:
- ❓ Do you spend more time or money on pokies than intended?
- ❓ Have you tried to cut back on pokies but couldn't?
- ❓ Do you play pokies to escape problems or improve your mood?
- ❓ Have you lied to others about your pokies play?
- ❓ Has playing pokies caused relationship or financial problems?
If you answered "yes" to any of these, consider reaching out for support.
✅ Tips for Playing Pokies Safely
If you choose to play pokies, these strategies can help you stay in control:
Set Limits Before You Start
- 💵 Money limit: Decide how much you can afford to lose and stick to it
- ⏰ Time limit: Set a time limit for pokies sessions
- 🏆 Win limit: Decide when to stop if you're ahead
- 🛑 Loss limit: Stop immediately when you hit your loss limit
Practical Strategies
- ✅ Only play pokies with money you can afford to lose completely
- ✅ Never chase losses — accept them and walk away
- ✅ Don't play pokies when upset, stressed, or intoxicated
- ✅ Take regular breaks during pokies sessions
- ✅ Balance pokies play with other leisure activities
- ✅ Don't borrow money to play — ever
- ✅ Keep track of time and money spent on pokies
- ✅ Avoid using pokies as a way to make money or pay debts
Use Available Tools
- 🔧 Deposit limits: Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit caps
- 🔧 Loss limits: Automatically stop when losses reach a set amount
- 🔧 Session limits: Set time reminders or automatic logouts
- 🔧 Reality checks: Pop-up reminders showing time and money spent
- 🔧 Cooling-off periods: Short breaks from gambling
- 🔧 Self-exclusion: Ban yourself from gambling for extended periods
🚫 Self-Exclusion Programs in Australia
Self-exclusion allows you to ban yourself from gambling venues or online operators. It's a powerful tool for regaining control. Australia offers several self-exclusion options:
BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register
BetStop is Australia's national self-exclusion register for online wagering. Launched in 2023, it allows you to exclude yourself from all licensed Australian online betting operators with a single registration.
- 🌐 Website: betstop.gov.au
- 📋 Coverage: All licensed Australian online wagering operators
- ⏱️ Duration: Minimum 3 months, up to lifetime
- 💰 Cost: Free
State and Territory Programs
- 🏛️ NSW: Multi-Venue Self-Exclusion — Liquor & Gaming NSW
- 🏛️ VIC: Self-Exclusion Program + YourPlay — VGCCC
- 🏛️ QLD: Exclusion Order Program — OLGR Queensland
- 🏛️ WA: Self-Exclusion — Department of Local Government
- 🏛️ SA: Barring Orders — Consumer & Business Services
- 🏛️ TAS: Self-Exclusion — Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission
- 🏛️ NT: Self-Exclusion — Northern Territory Racing Commission
- 🏛️ ACT: Self-Exclusion — ACT Gambling and Racing Commission
Venue Self-Exclusion
- 🎰 Crown Casino: Self-exclusion from all Crown properties — 6 months to lifetime
- 🎰 The Star Casino: Self-exclusion from all Star properties — 6 months to lifetime