Even though gambling is a fun activity, sometimes it can turn into a destructive addiction. It is significant to set boundaries and adhere to the rules of responsible gambling, so that online casinos and the products they offer do not become a threat to our welfare. This guide, made by our experts, aims to help and educate Aussie gamblers about responsible gambling.
Responsible gambling is a multidimensional term that encompasses various regulations and specifications applicable to all gaming stakeholders. These rules and specifications ensure the best performance standards and a safe customer journey that safeguards against the unanticipated pitfalls of online betting.
Most Australians approach gambling as a source of entertainment, which means they only bet what they can afford to lose, but others find it hard. The activity should be fun rather than an effort to get rich. Seven areas of responsible gambling are harmful to the industry of online gambling, where security remains paramount: prevention of underage gambling; protection of vulnerable players, ensuring internet transaction security and a reliable digital environment, safeguarding private information, promoting responsible and ethical advertising, and implementing measures to stop illegal activities in this sector.
If you feel out of control of yourself, both mentally and financially, then you might become addicted to gambling.
There are some people who easily succumb to gambling, and the situation is even worse if there is a chance of real winnings at stake. When the anticipation of winning and the fear of losing are combined, these feelings stimulate a strong release of dopamine, so it is easy to fall into the dopamine trap.
A certain amount of consistency is enough for this behaviour to become ingrained. It becomes extremely difficult to resist the urge to gamble, even if it has real negative consequences and directly affects the quality of life.
To conquer addiction, the first step lies in recognising the signs of problem gambling. There are some specific signs of problem gambling that you need to be on the lookout for and overcome a gambling addiction. We can help you know if your loved one has developed a gambling complication. In fact, these signs may not be visible until financial issues pop up. Let us examine them.
Gambling addiction is now acknowledged as a medical condition, having been incorporated into the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on June 18, 2018. It's vital to remember that patterns of gambling addiction can vary greatly, and a formal diagnosis of this clinical disorder can only be provided by certified professionals.
When it comes to gambling, many individuals are prone to various unhealthy habits that can negatively impact their financial and emotional well-being. Let's look at some practical ways to avoid unhealthy gambling habits and maintain control over your gambling activities.
Overcoming a gambling addiction can be challenging, but it is possible with the right approach and support. Here are some steps you can take to overcome a gambling addiction:
The hardest step is often the first. If gambling is affecting your life, acknowledging the problem isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a powerful act of courage. Real change starts the moment you stop denying and start taking back control.
There are many resources available for people struggling with gambling addiction, including therapists, support groups, and hotlines. A mental health professional can help you develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
It is important to identify the triggers that lead to your gambling addiction. Common triggers include stress, boredom, and loneliness.
To replace your gambling addiction, you can develop new habits that help you cope with stress or boredom. This can include exercising, reading, or pursuing a new hobby.
Limiting your access to money can help you control your gambling addiction. This can include setting a budget, using prepaid methods or vouchers instead of debit cards, and avoiding online gambling sites.
Surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family members can help you stay accountable and motivated. Consider joining a support group for people with gambling addiction.
The gambling problem is spread widely around Australia, affecting not only adults but also underage people. Children may discover gambling through their parents, other family members, or friends, which may lead them to follow the example of their environment.
Gambling addiction can negatively influence the child and lead to such problems as financial problems, mental health problems, physical health problems, or family violence. Such behavioural patterns as changes in sleep and appetite, moodiness and tiredness, money landing from family members and friends, and developing bad habits such as smoking, drinking, or drug usage may be the signs of your child developing a gambling problem. To prevent it from happening or developing further, make sure to follow the next steps:
Explain to your child how gambling works: gambling may be all fun and games in the beginning, but it turns into a massive issue if you don't have the right approach to gaming. It may not be easy or comfortable to discuss such a topic. Still, it's essential to explain to your children all the associated risks.
It is essential to ensure that your child does not have access to your credit or debit card or any other payment options.
To prevent your child from gambling, you can block advertisements that promote casinos and the websites of casinos themselves, using special blocking software. You can also enable parental control for your child's devices to manage the time they spend online.
To replace your gambling addiction, you can develop new habits that help you cope with stress or boredom. This can include exercising, reading, or pursuing a new hobby.
It's significant not only to recognize the ominous signs mentioned above but also to remain their most prominent supporter, remind them that you love them no matter what, and follow their recovery process. You may describe the potential problem by simply talking and listening to your children.
This article mentions several ways people with a developing or developed gambling issue can consider when trying to get rid of their addiction, including a helpline for children.
There are options provided to Aussies that can help right away if you think you or anyone you know may be experiencing a gambling addiction. Among these options are specialized counseling services, psychological support programs, and recommendations for self-monitoring and limiting gaming participation.
| If immediate assistance required, call: | |
|---|---|
| Lifeline Australia | 📞 13-11-14 |
| National Gambling Helpline | 📞 1-800-858-858 |
| Free Financial Counselling | 📞 1-800-007-007 |
| Kids Helpline | 📞 1-800-551-800 |
As you already know, Australia is one of the leading countries in terms of gambling popularity. With $18 billion of total gambling winning gross, our motherland is the sixth biggest gambling country after the USA, the UK, Japan, Italy, and Singapore. Additionally, considering the fact that according to the latest survey of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, three out of four Australians gambled in the past 12 months, the Australian government must have taken some responsible gambling measures to prevent ubiquitous gambling addiction.
The law concerns activities such as online casinos, slot machines, and poker, as well as online betting services that allow in-play betting on live sports, online betting services without a license, instant lotteries, and the provision of credits by certain online betting companies. These activities are prohibited by the interactive gambling laws.
Since 2021, Australian gamblers have been prohibited from using credit cards as a deposit or withdrawal method in any licensed online casino. It was strengthened by the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Credit and Other Measures) Act 2023, which introduced fines for non-compliance and expanded regulatory powers to cover external territories and acts outside Australia. The ban includes transactions made directly via credit cards and electronic wallets. Note that lottery services are not subject to the prohibition, as they are considered a low-risk gambling activity.
For details on Aussie gambling rules, see our Gambling Laws page.
Responsible gambling tools play a critical role in preventing and addressing gambling-related problems. They allow people to manage and control their gambling behaviour. Two key tools in this regard are the self-exclusion and filtering tools described below, which will help you manage unpleasant consequences.
If you feel like you are having a gambling problem and want to know how to stay away from pokies, the easiest way could be to close your casino account or use a built-in tool for self-exclusion.
Self-exclusion is a voluntary process where an individual associated with gambling voluntarily excludes themselves from specific gaming venues or online providers. Information on how to set up self-exclusion can be found on Australian gambling sites. You can download and fill out a self-exclusion application form from the sites for online casinos. Typically, look for this in the Responsible Gambling or Self-Exclusion section.
The following responsible gambling platforms often encourage users to make the most out of self-exclusion by providing additional support. This may include offering contact details for gambling helplines, educational materials on responsible gambling, and referrals to counselling services for those seeking professional assistance.
Moreover, in the case of casino tools, you may lock your account at a specific casino or casinos, and, to make it more complicated, include all betting and gambling sites in the stop list. This is because closing one account does not prevent you from opening another one at a different casino. Hence, this is why self-exclusion apps and services provide a proactive approach to managing gambling behaviour, letting users manage their game-playing activities themselves. These tools are designed to enhance people’s autonomy by allowing them to opt out of gambling platforms on their own terms.
As soon as you sign up, those details are then shared securely with participating bookmakers. This way, any attempt to create another or use an existing account will be declined by these providers. Additionally, BetStop offers helplines for emotional and financial support, as well as resources that promote responsible gambling education beyond self-exclusion. Using these services helps users maintain an acceptable level of engagement with gaming, according to the platform. Through such measures, however, BetStop does not cover everyone who plays at casinos, but it aims to put power back in consumers’ hands while also creating a barrier against potential gambling problems that might arise from uncontrolled gaming. Consequently, this Australian initiative is a significant step forward in responsible gambling practices.
The registry provides real-time updates on blacklisted platforms, utilizing advanced technology that makes it impossible for someone else to circumvent its provisions, regardless of the chosen mode. Moreover, they have informational materials that educate parents about youth gambling, enabling them to protect their children from future issues related to this matter. The app includes an anonymous feedback option for users to report any non-compliant platforms. Thus, this approach not only offers protection but also enables the community to participate in mitigating online gambling risks, thereby creating a safer digital environment.
Special programs allow you to block all internet traffic to and from gambling sites. They can also help you avoid seeing gambling ads and even gambling-related search results, so you won't be tempted to start gambling again. So, we can say the following services provide reliable protection and control over access to inappropriate or harmful sites.
Net Nanny works by using an Internet filter that blocks search results containing specific keywords. This parental control service provides real-time reports on children's internet searches and application usage. The system alerts you to malicious content. Net Nanny also allows you to manage screen time and block specific applications on your child's device. With these comprehensive features, Net Nanny creates a safer digital environment for families, making it a trusted partner in keeping kids safe online. The app is paid, with subscriptions based on the number of devices served.
It is a comprehensive self-exclusion tool to combat gambling addiction. It uses powerful website and application blockers to proactively prevent access to gambling platforms, reducing temptation and promoting healthier online behaviour. Easy to install, it is able to detect and respond to prolonged casino activity. The service utilizes advanced algorithms and heuristics to continually update blacklists, preventing access to unauthorized sites and blocking the installation of gambling applications. Its robust software can withstand factory resets, eliminating the possibility of uninstallation. Discounts are available when protecting multiple devices, and licenses are available for both personal and corporate use.
Several Australian banks and financial institutions have recently introduced a feature that enables customers to block gambling transactions on their credit and debit cards. In this article, we provide an overview of the options currently offered to customers of some Australian banks.
Having a gambling addiction is scary and complicated, but seeing your loved ones losing themselves because of this while feeling absolutely helpless is also a hard challenge to take. Let’s try to discover how to help people with gambling addiction.
Such signs can recognize addiction as lying about money spending, unsuccessful attempts to quit gambling, financial problems, and developing mental health issues.
The nature and motives of addiction to anything, whether it's gambling, alcohol, or a drug, cannot be fully understood by people who are not addicted. Try to understand that the person you want to help is struggling and lacks complete control over their actions and decisions. It may require a lot of patience, but there's no need to judge or verbally or physically abuse them — try to talk to them instead and offer your support.
It's important to discuss with the addicted person what consequences their actions may lead to. Try to avoid confrontation and find a calm and pleasant way of explaining how their addiction may affect you, their family and friends, and their life in general.
If the addiction is completely taking over the person, and you feel that your help is not enough – propose ways of receiving professional support for that person. This article mentions several options for people with gambling addiction.
People start to gamble for different reasons: depression, boredom, lack of socialization, or stress. Our article covers the "Alternatives to Gambling" topic, explaining how to replace the addiction with other activities, such as meditating or sports.
Overcoming a gambling addiction is just the beginning. It takes ongoing effort and commitment to stay on the path of recovery and resist the urge to gamble again. With the widespread availability of online gambling platforms, staying away from gambling can be challenging, but there are numerous alternatives to gambling that one can explore, even if they are not struggling with addiction.
| Reason For Gambling | Alternative to Gambling |
|---|---|
| Thrilling sensation accompanied by a surge of adrenaline | There are activities and hobbies that can give you similar feelings. To mention some examples: rock climbing, mountain biking, go-kart racing, bungee jumping, rafting, and paragliding. |
| Communal dimension to it as you engage with other individuals | However, it is impossible to avoid your problems completely. Still, there are ways to deal with these situations positively. Therapy might be beneficial, while self-help approaches to handling stress can also be embraced through mindfulness, like meditation or physical exercise. |
| Allows you to forget about your problems and unwind after a long day | Although one may not be able to escape their problems altogether, they can always find ways to handle them better. This includes therapy, self-help techniques such as meditation and engaging in exercises for physical fitness in life. |
| Helps alleviate feelings of boredom and loneliness | Find a passion that excites you, such as music, art, sports, literature, or other leisure activities, and look for people who share your interests. |
| The mistaken belief that gambling can help solve financial problems | In gambling, the odds are always stacked against the gambler, as implied by a popular saying. The entire activity is based purely on luck, which makes winning every time not possible at all. Getting help from financial advisers is crucial when any debts have occurred. |
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