Responsible Gaming

Online gambling involves risk, and the outcome of a game is never guaranteed. You may lose money, sometimes quickly, and no strategy can remove the chance of losing. Gambling should only take place with money you can afford to lose after essential expenses and financial commitments have been covered. Never use borrowed money, rent money, bill money or funds set aside for necessities to gamble.

It can help to think of gambling spend as the cost of entertainment, rather than an investment. Wins are not a reliable source of income, and previous results do not predict future results. A game that has not produced a win is not necessarily due to win, and a previous win does not make another win more likely. Random outcomes remain independent from one play to the next.

Before you play

• Decide how much time and money you are prepared to spend.
• Set a maximum loss limit and stop when that limit is reached.
• Keep gambling separate from money needed for living costs and other commitments.
• Avoid gambling when you are upset, stressed, tired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Do not chase losses by increasing stakes or playing for longer.
• Remember that gambling is optional and that taking a break is always appropriate.

Only adults who are legally permitted to gamble should use an online gambling service. Do not allow children or other unauthorised people to access your account, payment methods or device. Keep account credentials private and use available security settings to help protect access.

Responsible gambling tools can help you manage your activity before it becomes difficult to control. Depending on the features available to your account or jurisdiction, these tools may include deposit limits, wagering or loss limits, session reminders, reality checks, account history and temporary breaks. Read the terms that apply to each tool carefully, including when a setting takes effect and whether it can be changed.

Set limits in advance

A limit is most effective when it is chosen before gambling begins. Consider setting a daily, weekly or monthly amount that reflects your personal entertainment budget. You may also choose a time limit for each session. Do not set a limit based on the amount you hope to win. Set it based on the maximum amount you can comfortably lose.

Take a break or close your account

If you want time away from gambling, consider using an available cooling-off or self-exclusion option. A temporary break can provide space to review your habits and financial position. If you believe gambling is causing harm, ask for account closure or self-exclusion rather than relying only on willpower. Do not open another account or use another person's account to avoid a restriction.

Review your activity

Regularly check your deposits, withdrawals, bets, losses and time spent online. Looking at your activity can make patterns easier to recognise. If your gambling is taking more time or money than planned, stop playing and seek support. You can also consider speaking with your bank about available gambling transaction controls or other financial safeguards.

• Do not increase stakes to recover money already lost.
• Do not gamble to relieve boredom, loneliness, anxiety or other difficult feelings.
• Do not hide gambling activity, payments or losses from people close to you.
• Do not borrow money or sell possessions to continue gambling.
• Do not let gambling interfere with work, study, sleep, relationships or daily responsibilities.

Gambling harm can affect anyone, including people who have gambled for a long time without problems. The issue is not only how often you gamble or how much you spend. It may also involve the effect gambling has on your thoughts, emotions, relationships, health and responsibilities.

Possible warning signs

• Spending more time or money gambling than you intended.
• Trying to win back losses by gambling more often or using larger amounts.
• Feeling restless, irritable or preoccupied when you cannot gamble.
• Thinking about gambling during work, study, family time or other activities.
• Borrowing money, missing payments or experiencing financial stress because of gambling.
• Keeping gambling secret or giving inaccurate information about your activity.
• Arguing with family or friends about gambling or withdrawing from relationships.
• Using gambling to escape problems or manage sadness, stress or other emotions.
• Neglecting sleep, health, work, study or personal responsibilities.
• Feeling unable to reduce or stop gambling despite wanting to do so.

One or more of these signs does not mean that you must manage the situation alone. Stop gambling, talk openly with someone you trust and seek professional advice. Support is available for people who gamble, as well as partners, family members and friends who may be affected.

If you are concerned about someone else

Choose a calm time to discuss your concerns without blame or judgement. Focus on specific behaviours and how they affect the person and others. Encourage them to use available limits, take a break and contact a qualified gambling support service. Avoid lending money to cover gambling losses, and protect shared finances where appropriate. If there is immediate risk to someone's safety, contact emergency services or seek urgent local assistance.

If gambling is becoming difficult to control, confidential help is available in Australia. You can contact a state or territory gambling support service, speak with a qualified counsellor, or use the Australian Government's Gambling Help Online service for information, counselling and support options. Your general practitioner may also be able to discuss the effects of gambling on your mental health and refer you to appropriate care.

When contacting a support service, explain what has been happening, how often you gamble, whether you are experiencing financial pressure and what changes you would like to make. You do not need to wait until losses are severe before asking for help. Early support can make it easier to set boundaries, protect finances and repair relationships.

Practical steps you can take today

1. Stop gambling for the rest of the day and move away from gambling websites or applications.
2. Record recent gambling activity, including deposits, losses, time spent and any borrowed money.
3. Set or review account limits, or request a break, self-exclusion or account closure where available.
4. Tell a trusted person that you are taking steps to reduce or stop gambling.
5. Review bills, payment methods and account access to reduce unplanned spending.
6. Contact a gambling support service or health professional for confidential guidance.
7. If gambling has caused serious financial difficulty, seek independent financial counselling.

Stake Casino provides general responsible gaming information, but this page is not medical, financial or legal advice. Gambling products and consumer protections may vary according to your location and circumstances. Always check the rules, account controls and support options that apply to you. If you feel unsafe, are experiencing a mental health crisis or may harm yourself or another person, seek immediate help through emergency services or a crisis support provider in your area.

Responsible gambling means making informed choices, accepting that losses are possible and knowing when to stop. If gambling is no longer enjoyable or is affecting your life, taking a break and asking for help are positive steps.