Responsible Gaming

Our responsible gaming approach

Responsible gambling means making deliberate choices about when, how often and how much you gamble. It includes understanding that casino games are based on chance, setting personal boundaries and stopping when those boundaries are reached. No strategy can guarantee a win, and previous results do not determine future outcomes.

Pocket Pokies Casino provides this information to help players make informed decisions. Gambling should only take place with money you can afford to lose after essential costs, commitments and savings have been considered. Never use borrowed money, money set aside for bills or money intended for someone else to fund gambling.

There is no guaranteed method for predicting a result or recovering a loss. Chasing losses can lead to larger bets, longer sessions and decisions that do not reflect your original plans. If you lose more than intended, the safest response is to stop and take a break rather than trying to win the money back.

Gambling is not a source of income

Casino games are entertainment products with uncertain outcomes. They are not an investment, a substitute for employment or a reliable way to pay debts. Set a spending amount in advance and regard that amount as the cost of entertainment. If gambling begins to affect rent, mortgage payments, household expenses, credit repayments or other financial responsibilities, stop gambling and seek independent assistance.

Who should not gamble

• People under the applicable legal gambling age.
• People who are intoxicated, affected by medication or experiencing strong emotional distress.
• People who are trying to recover losses or manage financial pressure through gambling.
• People who have chosen to exclude themselves or who believe gambling is causing harm.
• People who are gambling with funds needed for essential expenses or personal obligations.

Recognising when gambling may be causing harm

Gambling harm can develop gradually. A player may not notice changes in their behaviour until gambling begins to affect finances, relationships, work, study, health or mood. You do not need to wait for a serious crisis before asking for help. If gambling is creating worry, secrecy or conflict, consider taking a break and speaking with an independent support service.

Possible warning signs

• Spending more time or money gambling than you planned.
• Increasing the amount of a bet to experience the same excitement.
• Feeling restless, irritable or uncomfortable when trying to reduce or stop gambling.
• Thinking about gambling frequently during work, study, family time or other activities.
• Trying to win back money after a loss or believing a win is due because of previous results.
• Borrowing money, selling possessions or using credit to gamble.
• Hiding gambling activity, deposits, losses or account statements from family or friends.
• Missing work, study, appointments or social commitments because of gambling.
• Arguing with people close to you about your gambling.
• Feeling guilt, shame, anxiety or low mood after gambling.
• Using gambling to escape stress, loneliness, boredom or other difficult feelings.
• Attempting to stop or cut down but returning to gambling repeatedly.

One warning sign does not automatically mean that a person has a gambling disorder, but it is a reason to pause and review what is happening. Honest answers are more useful than trying to justify a session. Ask yourself how much you have spent, whether the amount was planned, whether gambling has affected your responsibilities and how you would feel if you could not gamble for a period.

A simple self-check

1. Write down the amount you planned to spend before starting.
2. Record deposits, wagers, losses and the time spent gambling.
3. Compare the record with your household budget and other commitments.
4. Notice your mood before, during and after gambling.
5. Decide whether a break, a lower limit or a longer-term restriction is appropriate.

Practical tools to help you stay in control

Planning is easier before you start gambling, when decisions are less affected by excitement or disappointment. Choose a realistic budget and time period, then follow the limits you set. If your account includes responsible gambling controls, review the available settings and select limits that reflect what you can genuinely afford.

Set a spending limit

Decide how much you can spend for a session, day, week or other period. Include all deposits and gambling funds in your calculation. Do not increase the limit during a session because you are losing or because you believe a win is about to occur. A limit is most effective when it cannot be changed impulsively.

Set a time limit

Choose a clear end time before you begin. Use a timer or another reminder, take regular breaks and avoid playing when you are tired. Moving away from the screen, having a meal or contacting a friend can help create distance from the session. If you repeatedly play for longer than intended, a longer break or account restriction may be appropriate.

Take a break or request self-exclusion

A temporary break can be useful when you want time away from gambling without making a permanent decision. Self-exclusion is a stronger restriction for people who want to prevent access for a selected period or longer. If these options are available through your account or the service, follow the instructions provided and choose a period that gives you meaningful space from gambling.

Make gambling harder to access

• Remove stored payment details where possible.
• Avoid keeping gambling funds readily available.
• Use device or browser tools that restrict access to gambling websites if you need additional support.
• Ask a trusted person to help you review your budget and account activity.
• Do not gamble from a shared account or with money that another person needs.
• Avoid gambling when drinking alcohol, feeling distressed or trying to make an urgent financial decision.

If you want to reduce or stop gambling, contact the available customer support channel through the website and ask about the responsible gambling options that may apply to your account. You can also seek independent advice before making a decision. A support request does not need to include private details beyond what is necessary to identify your account and explain the restriction you want.

Getting help and protecting others

You are not required to manage gambling concerns alone. In Australia, free and confidential help is available through recognised gambling support services, including counselling and advice for people who gamble and for affected family members or friends. An independent service can help you understand your options, prepare a budget, manage urges and plan practical steps to reduce harm.

If gambling has contributed to debt, contact a qualified financial counsellor or another appropriate financial support service. Avoid using additional credit, high-cost borrowing or further gambling to deal with losses. If gambling is affecting your mental health or you feel unsafe, contact an appropriate health or emergency service in your area. Immediate safety should always come before gambling or account matters.

Family and friends

Gambling can affect people who do not gamble themselves. If you are concerned about someone, choose a calm time to talk, describe the behaviour you have noticed and explain how it affects you. Avoid threats, blame or giving money to cover gambling losses. Encourage the person to speak with an independent support service and consider seeking advice for yourself.

Underage gambling and account safety

Gambling is restricted to people who meet the applicable legal age requirements. Adults should keep account credentials, payment methods and devices secure, and should not allow a child or another unauthorised person to access an account. If you believe an account has been used by someone else or that an underage person has accessed gambling services, stop use and contact the available website support channel promptly.

Our commitment to informed play

Responsible gambling information is intended to support informed choices, but it cannot replace professional advice. Gambling outcomes remain uncertain, and no responsible gambling tool can remove every risk. Review your habits regularly, use the controls available to you and ask for help early if gambling stops feeling like entertainment. Pocket Pokies Casino encourages every player to make decisions that protect their financial wellbeing, relationships and personal safety.