Responsible gambling — tools, signals, and where to get help in Australia
Casino gambling is entertainment, not income. Most players enjoy it for what it is — a Friday-night session, a holiday treat, a way to test luck against decent odds. But the same mechanics that make pokies fun can also make them harmful. This page exists for the moments when the line blurs.
Signs that gambling may be becoming a problem
Problem gambling rarely announces itself. It shows up in small patterns first. If you recognise yourself or someone you care about in this list, take it seriously — the earlier the conversation, the easier the path out.
- Chasing losses by depositing more than planned, more than once
- Hiding gambling activity, balances or losses from a partner or family
- Borrowing money to gamble, or paying gambling debt with credit
- Feeling restless, irritable or anxious when not gambling
- Gambling affecting work, sleep, eating or relationships
- Lying to yourself about session length or amount lost
- Continuing to play despite wanting to stop
- Using gambling to cope with stress, sadness or boredom
A quick self-assessment
Answer honestly. None of these require a "perfect" score — they're prompts, not diagnoses. If two or more answers are yes, please call a helpline.
- Do you find yourself thinking about gambling when you're not playing?
- Have you tried to set a deposit limit and broken it within the same week?
- Have you ever lied about gambling losses to someone close to you?
- Do you gamble to escape feelings of stress, sadness or boredom?
- Has gambling affected your ability to pay bills or meet financial commitments?
- Have you felt guilty about gambling sessions in the last 30 days?
Tools available at FairCrown
FairCrown's account dashboard includes a Responsible Play panel. Use it before you need it.
Deposit limits
Daily, weekly or monthly caps. Decreases activate immediately. Increases trigger a 24-hour cooling-off period.
Loss limits
Maximum net loss across a window. Hitting the limit blocks further bets, not the account itself.
Session timers
Automatic reality-check pop-ups at intervals you set — 30 minutes, an hour, two hours.
Cooling-off
Short pause from your account for 24 hours to 7 days. Useful for hot-headed moments.
Self-exclusion
Account closed for 30 days, 6 months, or permanently. Cannot be reversed inside the period.
Australian helplines & state services
| State / Service | Phone | Web | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gambling Help Online (national) | 1800 858 858 | gamblinghelponline.org.au | 24/7 |
| NSW Gambling Help | 1800 633 635 | gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au | 24/7 |
| VIC Gambler's Help | 1800 858 858 | gamblershelp.com.au | 24/7 |
| QLD Gambling Help | 1800 858 858 | gamblinghelpqld.org.au | 24/7 |
| WA Gambling Help | 1800 858 858 | gamblinghelpwa.org.au | 24/7 |
| SA Statewide Gambling Therapy | 1300 364 100 | statewidegambling.org.au | Mon–Fri |
| Lifeline (general crisis) | 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au | 24/7 |
BetStop — Australia's national self-exclusion register
BetStop is run by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Registering blocks every Australian-licensed wagering service from accepting your bets for the period you choose. It's free, confidential and takes about ten minutes online. Many offshore casinos (including FairCrown) honour BetStop registrations voluntarily.
If you've decided to stop gambling altogether, BetStop is the single most effective tool available to Australian players. Visit betstop.gov.au to register.
FAQ
Open Account → Responsible Play → Deposit Limits. Choose daily, weekly or monthly. Decreases take effect immediately. Increases trigger a 24-hour cooling-off period before activation.
Australia's national self-exclusion register, run by ACMA. Registering blocks Australian-licensed wagering services from accepting your bets. Offshore operators frequently honour it voluntarily.
Account → Responsible Play → Self-Exclusion. Choose 7 days, 30 days, 6 months or permanent. The exclusion cannot be reversed before the period ends, even by support.
Reach out without judgment. Encourage them to call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858. Family members can also access counselling for themselves through the same service — you don't need to be the gambler to get support.
Most licensed operators refund deposits made during a self-exclusion period when you can prove it. Contact support immediately, reference the exclusion start date, and request a formal refund.
Gambling Help Online (1800 858 858) is the primary national service, available 24/7. State-specific helplines listed in the table above also connect to local face-to-face counselling.