Responsible Gaming

1. Decide Your Limit

Before entering a gaming area, decide the maximum amount of money you are comfortable spending and losing. That amount should be separate from money needed for rent, mortgage payments, food, utilities, transport, debt repayments, medical costs, savings commitments or other essential expenses.

A limit works best when it is set before play starts rather than changed in response to wins or losses. If the limit is reached, stop for the session rather than increasing the amount to continue.

• Choose a fixed entertainment budget.
• Do not borrow money in order to gamble.
• Avoid using funds intended for essential expenses.
• Do not treat previous spending as a reason to spend more.

2. Track Your Spending

Keep an accurate view of how much money is being spent during a visit. Small repeated amounts can add up, particularly during a long session.

Consider keeping gambling spending separate from normal day-to-day spending so that the total is easy to see. Do not count a temporary win as income or assume it will continue.

If actual spending regularly exceeds the amount you planned, that is a reason to reduce or stop gambling and consider additional support or self-exclusion options.

3. Track Your Time

Set a time limit before beginning and check the time regularly. Long sessions can make it harder to keep perspective on both time and money.

Plan what you will do after the session and avoid extending play simply because you are trying to change the result of earlier gambling. If gambling is causing you to miss work, appointments, sleep, family commitments or social activities, consider stepping away and seeking support.

4. Take Regular Breaks

Breaks create a natural point to reassess whether you still want to continue. Leave the gaming area, have a non-gambling activity planned and give yourself time away from the immediate environment.

Alcohol, strong emotions, fatigue and stress can affect decision-making. If you are upset, intoxicated, exhausted or trying to escape another problem, gambling may be harder to keep within the limits you intended.

It is reasonable to stop even if your planned time or budget has not yet been reached.

5. Never Chase Losses

Chasing losses means continuing to gamble, increasing spending or extending a session in an attempt to win back money already lost. Previous outcomes do not create a debt that the next game is likely to repay.

Electronic gaming machine outcomes are uncertain. A losing period does not mean a win is “due”, and a previous win does not make future wins more likely.

If you notice yourself thinking that you must keep playing until money is recovered, stop the session and step away from the gaming area.

6. Recognise Warning Signs

Gambling can become harmful gradually. Warning signs can include:

• spending more money or time than intended;
• repeatedly trying to win back losses;
• borrowing money or selling possessions to gamble;
• hiding gambling or being dishonest about spending;
• feeling restless, distressed or preoccupied when trying to cut back;
• missing work, study, family or financial commitments because of gambling;
• continuing despite relationship, financial or emotional harm;
• using gambling as a regular response to stress or difficult emotions.

You do not need to wait for every warning sign to appear before asking for help. Early support can make it easier to regain control.

7. Self-Exclusion

Self-exclusion is a formal way to restrict your own access to gambling services or areas for a period of time. For physical gaming venues, processes can differ by venue type and by Australian state or territory.

If you want to self-exclude from a PlayRoomAU gaming area, speak privately with venue staff and ask about the self-exclusion process that applies to the licensed premises. Staff can explain the available venue or jurisdictional procedure and the information required to put it in place.

BetStop — the National Self-Exclusion Register is an Australian Government service for licensed Australian online and phone wagering providers. It does not replace the self-exclusion arrangements that apply to in-person casinos or pokies venues. More information is available at betstop.gov.au.

8. Support Services

Support can include counselling, practical strategies, information for family and friends and referral to other services. Seeking help does not require you to identify with a particular label or wait until gambling has reached a crisis point.

9. Find Support

If gambling is becoming difficult to manage, stop gambling for the moment and contact a support service, a trusted person, an appropriate health professional or venue staff. You can also ask about financial counselling if gambling is affecting bills, debt or essential expenses.

If you are concerned about another person's gambling, support services can also provide guidance to family members and friends.

For urgent risk to your safety or someone else's safety, contact the appropriate emergency service.

18+ ONLY

Last updated: 26 September 2026.