Responsible Gaming

Gamble for entertainment

Online gambling is a form of entertainment that involves risk. There is no guaranteed strategy for winning, and past results do not predict future outcomes. You should only gamble with money you can afford to lose after essential living costs, bills, debts and other financial commitments have been covered.

Set a personal budget before you begin and treat that amount as the full cost of your entertainment. Avoid increasing your budget because of a win, loss or strong emotion. Chasing losses can lead to decisions that are difficult to control and may cause financial or personal harm.

Healthy gambling habits

• Decide how much time and money you will spend before playing.
• Keep gambling separate from money needed for rent, food, bills, savings or other necessities.
• Take regular breaks and avoid playing when you are tired, upset, stressed or affected by alcohol or other substances.
• Remember that wins are not guaranteed and losses should not be treated as a temporary setback to recover immediately.
• Do not borrow money, use credit intended for essential expenses or sell possessions to fund gambling.
• Keep a record of your deposits, withdrawals and playing time so you have a clear view of your activity.
• Talk openly with someone you trust if gambling is becoming difficult to manage.

A useful question to ask is whether gambling remains enjoyable and affordable. If it is causing worry, conflict, secrecy or financial pressure, take a break and consider seeking support.

Use tools to stay in control

Planning limits in advance can make it easier to maintain control. Depending on the account features available to you, you may be able to set limits on deposits, spending, losses or session time. A limit should be chosen carefully and should reflect what you can genuinely afford.

Set a budget and time limit

Choose a gambling budget for a day, week or other suitable period. Include all gambling activity in your calculation, rather than considering each game or session separately. Set a time limit as well, because long sessions can make it harder to recognise how much you have spent or how you are feeling.

Take a break

If you feel distracted, frustrated or unable to stop, use an available break or timeout option, or stop playing and leave your account unused for a period. A break can help you review your behaviour without the pressure of an active session. If you need more time away, consider self-exclusion.

Consider self-exclusion

Self-exclusion is a stronger measure for people who want to prevent themselves from gambling for a selected period or longer. Before requesting self-exclusion, withdraw any eligible balance and review the information provided about how the process works. During self-exclusion, do not attempt to create or use another account to continue gambling.

Account tools and settings may have specific conditions, waiting periods or other requirements. Read the instructions carefully before confirming a limit, break or self-exclusion request. If you cannot find the relevant option, use the support channel available through the website.

Do not try to recover losses

Trying to win back money quickly is a common warning sign. It can lead to larger bets, longer sessions and decisions based on emotion rather than a planned budget. When you lose more than intended, stop gambling, review your limits and seek independent support if the behaviour continues.

Recognise when gambling may be a problem

Gambling-related harm can affect anyone. It may develop gradually, and a person may not recognise the change until it begins to affect their finances, relationships, work, study, sleep or wellbeing. You do not need to wait for a crisis before asking for help.

Possible warning signs

• Spending more time or money gambling than you planned.
• Increasing your bets to try to achieve the same level of excitement.
• Feeling restless, irritable or preoccupied when you are not gambling.
• Chasing losses or believing a win is due because you have lost recently.
• Hiding gambling activity, deposits, losses or account statements from others.
• Borrowing money, missing bills or selling items because of gambling.
• Using gambling to escape stress, loneliness, sadness or other difficult feelings.
• Neglecting work, study, family, friends, health or other responsibilities.
• Trying to stop or cut back but finding that you cannot do so.
• Feeling guilt, shame, anxiety or hopelessness after gambling.

One sign may be enough to justify taking a break and reviewing your habits. Several signs, or any effect on your finances or safety, are reasons to seek professional or independent support. Support is available for people who gamble and for family members, friends and others affected by someone else's gambling.

Practical steps if you are concerned

1. Stop playing and avoid depositing more money while you consider your next step.
2. Use available account limits, a timeout or self-exclusion option.
3. Tell a trusted person what is happening and ask them to help you stay accountable.
4. Review your bank accounts, bills and debts so you understand your current position.
5. Contact an independent gambling support service in Australia for confidential advice.
6. Seek financial counselling if gambling has affected your bills, debts or access to essential money.
7. Speak with a health professional if gambling is affecting your mood, sleep, relationships or daily life.

Protect yourself and others

You must be of the required legal age to use an online gambling service in Australia. Children and young people must not access gambling accounts or gambling content intended for adults. Keep your login details private, use a strong password and do not allow another person to use your account.

Use device and account security settings to help prevent access by children or other unauthorised users. Log out when you finish, particularly when using a shared device, and keep payment information secure. If you believe someone else has accessed your account, stop using it and contact the website's support team through the available channel.

If someone close to you is affected

Gambling harm can affect partners, family members, friends and colleagues. Approach the person calmly and choose a private time to talk. Focus on the behaviour and its effects rather than blame. You can explain what you have noticed, set boundaries around money and ask whether they would consider professional support.

Do not provide money to cover gambling losses or agree to keep harmful behaviour secret. Protect shared finances and important documents, and seek advice about your own wellbeing and financial position. You cannot control another person's choices, but you can decide what support and boundaries are appropriate for you.

Immediate safety concerns

If gambling has contributed to thoughts of self-harm, threats, violence or another immediate danger, seek urgent help through the appropriate emergency or crisis service in your area. Do not rely on gambling support or website support for an emergency. Your immediate safety and the safety of others should come first.

Responsible gambling is a shared responsibility, but you remain in control of whether, when and how you gamble. Review this information regularly, use the account controls available to you and ask for help early if gambling no longer feels manageable. For questions about account settings or responsible gambling features, use the support options displayed on the Winnerama Casino website.