Responsible Gambling

01Gambling as adult entertainment

Gambling should be approached only as optional adult entertainment. It is not a required part of a hotel stay and should never displace accommodation, dining, wellness, relationships, work or ordinary financial responsibilities. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

0218+ restrictions

Casino facilities are restricted to adults aged 18 and over. Venues may request current government-issued photo identification. Adults should not allow minors to use gambling areas, accounts, devices or financial instruments. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

03Understanding chance

Casino outcomes are based on chance and rules that produce a house advantage over time. Previous wins, losses, patterns or feelings do not reliably predict the next result. Random outcomes do not become due. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

04Financial risk

Money used for gambling can be lost. A spending limit should be affordable after rent, food, bills, transport, savings, debt repayments and other commitments are covered. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

05No guaranteed outcomes

No system, timing method, venue, game choice or personal skill can guarantee a positive financial outcome in games of chance. Advertising, stories from others and short winning periods do not remove risk. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

• Use only the information needed for the stated purpose.
• Provide clear choices where processing is optional.
• Keep records only for an appropriate period.

06Gambling is not income

Gambling should never be treated as employment, investment, a bill-paying method or a way to recover financial pressure. Income planning needs stable and lawful sources that do not depend on random outcomes. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

07Personal spending limits

Decide a fixed amount before entering a casino area. Use only money set aside for entertainment, record the limit and stop when it is reached. Do not increase it during the session. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

08Time limits

Set a start and finish time. Alarms, calendar reminders or a companion can help. Long sessions can reduce attention, increase fatigue and make spending harder to track. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

09Taking breaks

Regular breaks create distance from immediate decisions. Step outside the gaming area, drink water, eat, walk or return to another part of the hotel. A break is useful even when results feel positive. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

10Never chasing losses

Chasing losses means increasing spending or continuing longer to recover money already lost. This often deepens the loss. Treat each spent amount as gone and stop at the original limit. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

• Use only the information needed for the stated purpose.
• Provide clear choices where processing is optional.
• Keep records only for an appropriate period.

11Avoiding borrowed money

Do not gamble with loans, credit, bill money, business funds, family money or cash borrowed from friends. Borrowed money adds repayment stress to an already uncertain activity. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

12Gambling while distressed

Avoid gambling when anxious, angry, lonely, grieving, depressed or under acute financial pressure. Distress can narrow attention and make limits easier to ignore. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

13Gambling while intoxicated

Alcohol and other substances can impair judgement, memory and impulse control. Do not gamble when intoxicated. Consider choosing non-gambling entertainment if drinking is part of the evening. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

14Warning signs

Warning signs include thinking constantly about gambling, hiding activity, spending more than planned, returning to recover losses, missing responsibilities or feeling unable to stop. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

15Changes in behaviour

Irritability, secrecy, sleep disruption, withdrawal from family, reduced work performance and abandoning other interests can indicate that gambling is no longer contained. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

• Use only the information needed for the stated purpose.
• Provide clear choices where processing is optional.
• Keep records only for an appropriate period.

16Financial warning signs

Unpaid bills, new debt, cash advances, unexplained withdrawals, selling possessions or borrowing repeatedly are serious warning signs. Financial counselling can provide practical support. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

17Self-exclusion

Self-exclusion allows a person to ask a venue or service to prevent access for a chosen period. Staff can explain local processes, identification requirements and the scope of an exclusion. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

18Venue support

Venue staff may provide responsible gambling information, help locate a quiet space, explain self-exclusion or connect a person with support. Asking for help is a practical step, not a failure. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

19Blocking tools

Device and browser tools can block gambling websites and applications. They work best alongside financial controls, support from trusted people and professional advice. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

20Bank transaction controls

Some banks offer gambling transaction blocks, card controls or spending notifications. Contact the financial institution to ask what is available and how quickly changes take effect. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

• Use only the information needed for the stated purpose.
• Provide clear choices where processing is optional.
• Keep records only for an appropriate period.

21Support for family and friends

Family and friends can listen without judgement, encourage professional help, protect shared finances and avoid lending money that may be used for gambling. Support services also assist affected others. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

22Protecting minors

Adults should keep payment cards, identification, devices and passwords secure. Do not normalise gambling as a way to make money, and explain chance and advertising in age-appropriate language. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

23Professional support

Counsellors can help with urges, stress, relationships and practical change. Financial counsellors can assist with bills, debt and creditor contact. Support can be used before a crisis develops. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

24Australian support organisations

Recognised services provide confidential information, counselling and referrals across Australia. Availability and service names can change, so use current official channels and state or territory resources. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

25Gambling Help Online

Gambling Help Online provides free, confidential support in Australia through online chat, information and counselling pathways. Visit gamblinghelponline.org.au or use the national helpline information shown there. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

• Use only the information needed for the stated purpose.
• Provide clear choices where processing is optional.
• Keep records only for an appropriate period.

26State and territory services

Each state and territory provides local gambling help pathways, counselling and venue self-exclusion information. A national service can direct callers to the appropriate regional option. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

27Financial counselling

The National Debt Helpline offers free financial counselling and information in Australia. Visit ndh.org.au or call 1800 007 007 for current service details. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

28Emergency support

If gambling is connected with immediate danger, self-harm thoughts, violence or a medical emergency, call Triple Zero on 000. For crisis support in Australia, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.

29Contact information

Questions about responsible gambling content on this website can be sent to [email protected]. Hotel staff can assist with venue-specific access and self-exclusion information. Change is possible, and early action usually creates more options than waiting for the situation to become severe. A calm plan can include a break, a conversation with a trusted person, limits on access and contact with a qualified support service.