Step away for a while
Take time away from gambling and choose an activity without stakes or rewards.
Need support now? Gambling Help Online provides free, confidential support. gamblinghelponline.org.au ↗ General information, not medical or financial advice.
On this page
Foundations
Put your wellbeing first
Gambling can affect your finances and wellbeing. You can seek support at any time, not only in a crisis.
Keep essentials separate
Set aside money for housing, food, bills and savings before considering any gambling spend.
Reach out to someone
Support is available if you want advice, a break or help for someone close to you.
Risks
Know what gambling can cost
- Gambling results are not a reliable source of income.
- Trying to win back losses can lead to spending more.
- Borrowing, hiding gambling or using money for essentials are signs to stop and reassess.
- Promotional credits and free spins may carry conditions and still involve financial risk.
In Australia, ACMA identifies online casino games and online slots as illegal online gambling services. Read its ACMA consumer guidance.
Spending boundaries
Protect your money and essentials
Choose a boundary in advance
For a lawful service, check which deposit or loss controls are available. A limit is a boundary, not a spending goal.
- Keep essential costs protected and do not borrow to gamble.
- Find out when a requested limit change starts.
- Check whether a limit applies to deposits, losses or both.
- If sticking to a limit is difficult, consider pausing and seeking independent support.
Time boundaries
Manage time and take breaks
- 01
Set an end point
Choose when to stop before you begin and set a reminder outside the gambling service.
- 02
Make time away count
Close the service, silence gambling notifications and switch to another activity.
- 03
Check in with yourself
Notice any effects on sleep, work, relationships or how often you think about gambling.
- 04
Talk it through
If you keep extending sessions or find stopping difficult, contact a support service.
Self-exclusion
Self-exclusion and access barriers
Self-exclusion can help restrict access to a gambling service. Check exactly what it covers and how it works; one request may not block every website.
| Approach | What to check |
|---|---|
| Exclusion with a provider | Check the provider’s process, duration, account coverage and any restrictions on reopening. |
| BetStop register | BetStop covers Australian licensed online and phone wagering providers, not every type of gambling service. |
| Device or financial controls | Ask your device or financial provider about available blocking controls and their coverage. |
Read the national register’s scope and registration details directly at BetStop.
Warning signs
Notice when gambling may be causing harm
Chasing losses
Trying to recover money, raising stakes or continuing for longer after losing.
Financial strain
Borrowing, overdue bills or difficulty keeping essential spending separate.
Everyday changes
Sleep problems, secrecy, conflict or gambling taking priority over work and relationships.
These signs can be a reason to seek help; this information does not assess or diagnose you. Gambling Help Online offers tools and resources to help you consider what to do next.
Getting support
Independent support in Australia
Gambling Help Online
Free, confidential support includes online counselling available across Australia.
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BetStop register
Find out about the national self-exclusion register for licensed online and phone wagering.
Claim Bonus
Getting support
The Australian Government provides information on national and state gambling support services.
Play NowYou can seek help if another person’s gambling affects you. Support services can help you consider boundaries and your wellbeing.
Next steps
Choose one useful action
Speak with a counsellor
Gambling Help Online provides free, confidential online support.
Contact Gambling Help Online →Take space from gambling
Close gambling services, pause related notifications and choose an activity away from gambling. Support can help you plan ahead.
Find wellbeing resources →Review exclusion coverage
BetStop covers Australian licensed online and phone wagering. Check its scope and registration process.
Read about BetStop →Get support for yourself
You can seek help if another person’s gambling affects your wellbeing, relationships or finances.
Explore support options →Common questions
Mate responsible gambling FAQ
How can I get help with gambling concerns in Australia?
Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support, including online counselling across Australia. You can seek help before a situation becomes a crisis.
Does Mate offer deposit limits?
Mate’s responsible-gambling tools are not listed in the supplied official information. Check the site for current availability, and consider independent support if you are finding it hard to keep to spending boundaries.
Does BetStop cover every gambling service?
No. BetStop covers Australian licensed online and phone wagering providers. Check its official scope before relying on it for a particular service.
Can I get support if someone else’s gambling affects me?
Yes. Gambling Help Online provides information and support for people affected by another person’s gambling.
More information
Helpful guides
Mate responsible gambling: guidance for Australian players
Understand the risks before playing
Mate offers games for free or real money. Free play can still shape habits that later involve spending. Casino games are entertainment, not a dependable way to earn money, and losses can affect household finances, relationships and wellbeing.
Before using Mate in Australia, consider whether gambling suits your budget and circumstances. Do not use money needed for rent, bills, food, debt repayments or other essentials, and avoid gambling when distressed, tired or affected by alcohol. Mate does not publish a minimum age; check the legal requirements that apply where you live.
Mate deposit limits and spending boundaries
Mate deposit limits are not stated in the supplied official information. Check the site for available account controls and set a firm spending boundary before playing. If no suitable control is available, use a separate budget and stop when you reach it.
Keep any gambling spend separate from everyday funds and review transactions. Do not raise a limit to recover losses, borrow to keep playing or chase a win. A written plan may help when emotions are running high.
- Decide in advance how much you can afford to spend.
- Choose a stopping time and set an alarm.
- Track deposits and losses to keep spending in view.
- Keep credit and essential-expense money out of gambling.
- Stop if gambling no longer feels like recreation.
Take breaks and check Mate safer gambling tools
Mate’s safer-gambling tools are not listed in the supplied official information. Check the site for current controls and settings. Where suitable controls are available, use them and consider a longer break if brief pauses are not enough.
Avoid switching to another account or platform to keep gambling during a break. Remove saved payment details where possible, log out after a session and turn off gambling-related notifications that could prompt a return.
Mate self exclusion and account access
Mate self-exclusion is not described in the supplied official information. Check the site for a way to request account closure or self-exclusion, and confirm the duration, account coverage and any restrictions on reopening. Keep a record of your request and follow the instructions provided.
Combine self-exclusion with practical barriers where possible. Remove gambling bookmarks, use device settings or filtering tools to block access, and ask someone you trust to support your plan. These steps cannot remove every risk, but they may create time to reconsider an urge.
When to seek support in Australia
Consider seeking help if you hide gambling, repeatedly exceed your budget, chase losses, feel unable to stop, neglect responsibilities or experience anxiety, shame or conflict because of gambling. Support can help before a crisis develops.
Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support across Australia. You can also seek relevant national, state or territory services, or speak with a GP, financial counsellor or mental health professional. If gambling is linked to immediate danger or thoughts of self-harm, contact emergency services or a crisis service in Australia without delay.
