Gambling should be entertainment, not a way to make money or to solve money problems. At BonusOut we believe that knowing how gambling can go wrong, and what protections exist, helps you stay in control.
This page covers ways of gambling more safely, signs of harm, the tools available in Australia and where to find free support. You must be 18 or over to gamble (Victorian Government).
If gambling is affecting you or someone close to you right now, you can call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 or visit Gambling Help Online. The service is free and anonymous.
Five ways to gamble more safely
No approach removes the risk of harm completely, but these habits lower it:
- Spend only money you can afford to lose – never money set aside for rent, bills or loan repayments.
- Set a budget and a time limit before you start – and keep to both, including on days when you are winning.
- Do not chase your losses – chasing losses is how a small loss turns into a large one.
- Avoid gambling when you are stressed or upset, or after drinking – decisions in that state tend to be worse.
- Treat gambling as an entertainment expense – not as income.
When gambling starts to cause harm
Gambling harm means any negative effect that gambling has on your life or on the people around you. It can build slowly or appear quickly.
It may be time to talk to someone if you notice any of these, in yourself or in someone close to you:
- spending more money or time on gambling than you intended,
- chasing losses to try to win money back,
- borrowing money, or using money meant for essentials, to gamble,
- hiding gambling from others,
- feeling anxious, irritable or guilty about gambling.
One sign is reason enough to talk to someone. You do not need to wait until things become serious.
Tools that help you stay in control
Limits with licensed wagering providers
Under the National Consumer Protection Framework, licensed online wagering providers must prompt customers to set a deposit limit (Tasmanian Treasury). Check your account settings and set limits before you start, not after a bad run.
Since 11 June 2024 you cannot use a credit card or digital currency to place bets with a licensed provider, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
BetStop, the national self-exclusion register
BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register™ is a free Australian Government service that lets you block yourself from all licensed Australian online and phone gambling providers.
You can register for a minimum of three months and up to a lifetime. You need a mobile phone number, an email address and either an Australian driver's licence, an Australian passport or a Medicare card. Once you register, licensed providers must close your betting accounts and must not let you place a bet, open a new account or send you marketing messages.
You cannot cancel in the first three months. After that you need a statutory declaration confirming that you have received counselling or advice from a qualified counsellor, psychologist or doctor, and cancellation takes effect seven days after your application is received (ACMA).
BetStop applies to licensed providers. It does not cover offshore sites, and pubs, clubs and casinos run their own state and territory schemes.
Self-exclusion from pubs, clubs and casinos
In New South Wales all gambling venues must offer a self-exclusion scheme, and an online service at mvse.com.au lets you apply to exclude yourself from the gaming machine areas of up to 35 clubs and hotels at once (NSW Government). In Victoria you choose the venues you want to be excluded from (VGCCC). Other states and territories run their own schemes.
Blocking gambling payments with your bank
Some banks let you block gambling transactions on your accounts, and lifting the block takes time: 48 hours at CommBank and ANZ, 72 hours at NAB and up to two business days at Westpac. CommBank and NAB both note that a block may not stop every gambling transaction (CommBank, NAB, Westpac, ANZ).
Sites outside the Australian licensing system
Deposit limit prompts, BetStop and the credit card ban sit inside the Australian licensing system. A site outside that system offers none of them.
The ACMA warns that if an illegal service treats you poorly or withholds your winnings, Australian regulators will not be able to help you and you are unlikely to get your money back (ACMA). Our online gambling laws section explains who regulates what, and licensed gambling in Australia shows how to tell the difference.
Where to get help
Help is available, free of charge and anonymous if you want it to be:
- National Gambling Helpline – 1800 858 858. Free and anonymous support by phone, chat and email, funded by all state and territory governments and the Australian Government (gamblinghelponline.org.au).
- Lifeline – 13 11 14, for crisis support (lifeline.org.au).
- National Debt Helpline – 1800 007 007, free financial counselling (ndh.org.au).
- Face-to-face counselling – in Victoria, Gambler's Help offers free counselling at more than 100 locations.
- Gamblers Anonymous Australia – peer support, with Gam-Anon for family and friends (gaaustralia.org.au).
- Your doctor – a general practitioner can point you to counselling.
For more on BetStop, bank blocks and supporting someone else, see our gambling harm and help section. Questions about this page: info@bonusout-au.com.
18+ Gambling can cause harm and can become hard to control. For free support, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858.
Last updated: 6 October 2026