Safe & Responsible Gambling
Gambling is an entertainment expense with a built-in cost. It is not an income, an investment, or a way to recover money already lost. This page sets out the age rule, the warning signs, the limits available to you, and where to get free help right now.
Strictly 18+
It is illegal in Australia to gamble, or to open a wagering account, under the age of 18. Licensed operators must verify identity and age before withdrawals are released, and accounts opened by minors are closed with winnings forfeited. If you are under 18, leave this site. Parents and guardians can restrict gambling content with device-level content filters and family safety settings.
Core warnings
- Every market carries a house edge. Casino games and wagering markets are both priced so the operator profits over time.
- Chasing losses is the main pathway to harm. Raising stakes to get even converts a bad day into a serious problem.
- Never gamble with money you need for rent, bills, food, school costs or debt repayments.
- Never gamble with borrowed money. Credit cards and digital currency are banned for online wagering in Australia precisely because of this risk.
- Do not gamble to cope. Boredom, grief, stress, loneliness and intoxication all impair judgement.
- No system beats a priced market. Tipsters, bots, progressions and “guaranteed” strategies do not change expected value.
- Unlicensed offshore casinos offer no protection. Real money online pokies and roulette supplied to Australians are unlawful, and you have no local dispute rights if funds disappear.
Warning signs worth taking seriously
If two or more of these describe you, or someone close to you, it is worth a free and confidential conversation with a counsellor today.
Behaviour
- Betting more, or more often, than you intended.
- Returning to win back losses.
- Gambling for longer than planned, or late at night.
- Hiding gambling from family, partners or friends.
- Needing bigger stakes to feel the same interest.
Money and wellbeing
- Borrowing, selling possessions or missing bills to fund gambling.
- Not knowing how much you have actually lost.
- Lost sleep, anxiety, irritability or low mood tied to gambling.
- Arguments about gambling at home.
- Gambling affecting work, study or caring responsibilities.
Limits and tools — set them before you deposit
Licensed Australian wagering operators must provide pre-commitment and control tools. They work best when set while you are calm, not after a loss.
| Control | Effect | Practical guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Caps money added per day, week or month. | Choose a figure you could lose entirely with no consequence to essentials. Reductions take effect immediately; increases are subject to a statutory cooling-off period. |
| Loss / spend limit | Caps net loss or total turnover over a period. | Catches the case where winnings are recycled and deposits alone look modest. |
| Session and time limits | Restricts time logged in, with reality-check reminders. | Set a hard stop. Long sessions degrade decision quality quickly. |
| Take a break / time-out | Suspends access from 24 hours up to several months. | Use it the moment you notice the urge to chase, not after the next bet. |
| Marketing opt-out | Stops promotional emails, SMS and push notifications. | Removing the prompt removes much of the impulse. Licensed operators must honour opt-outs. |
| Activity statement | Shows deposits, turnover and net position. | Check it monthly. Recollection reliably understates losses. |
| Account deactivation | Closes the account with the operator. | On OnlyBets: My Account → Responsible Gambling → Deactivate Account, by email, or by phoning operator support on 07 3077 7118. |
| BetStop self-exclusion | Blocks every licensed Australian online and phone wagering operator at once. | Free registration at betstop.gov.au for three months up to a lifetime. It cannot be cancelled early, and operators must also remove you from marketing. |
| Bank gambling block | Your bank blocks gambling transactions on your cards. | Most Australian banks offer this in their app. It works alongside operator limits and BetStop. |
Practical habits that reduce harm
- Decide the amount before you start and treat it as the price of entertainment.
- Never deposit mid-session to continue.
- Keep gambling money separate from the account that pays your bills.
- Take regular breaks and never gamble while tired or drinking.
- Balance gambling against other activities — if it is the main one, that is the signal.
- Talk about it. Secrecy is the strongest predictor of escalation.
Free, confidential support contacts
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across Australia — for gamblers and for family members and friends affected by someone else’s gambling. You do not need a diagnosis, a referral or a crisis to call.
Gambling Help / Gambler’s Help
1800 858 858National helpline, 24/7, free and confidential counselling across Australia.
Gambling Help Online
gamblinghelponline.org.au24/7 online chat, email counselling and self-help programs.
Gambler’s Help (Victoria)
gamblershelp.com.auVictorian counselling, financial counselling and peer support services.
BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register
betstop.gov.auExclude yourself from all licensed Australian online and phone wagering operators.
National Debt Helpline
1800 007 007Free, independent financial counselling for gambling-related debt.
Think! About your choices. What are you really gambling with?
If you are in immediate distress, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For gambling-specific support any time, call 1800 858 858. South Australian residents are additionally covered by the South Australian Gambling Codes of Practice; Victorian players are covered by the responsible gambling codes administered by the VGCCC.
Reminder: onlybetsau.com is an informational portal only. We do not offer gambling, sports betting or casino games, and we cannot access, limit or close any operator account on your behalf. Last reviewed: October 2026.