Responsible Gaming

Gamble for entertainment

Responsible gambling means staying in control of how, when and why you gamble. Before playing, decide how much money and time you are comfortable spending. Treat that amount as an entertainment cost, similar to the cost of a meal, film or other leisure activity. Only use money that is available after essential expenses have been paid.

Gambling outcomes are based on chance. There is no guaranteed strategy, system or pattern that can predict a result. Previous wins do not make another win more likely, and a losing run does not mean that a win is due. Every game or bet should be considered separately, and you should never gamble with the expectation of recovering money that has already been lost.

Gambling is for adults aged 18 years and over. Do not allow anyone under the legal gambling age to use your account, payment method or device for gambling. Keep your account details private and take reasonable steps to prevent other people from accessing your account.

Before you play

• Set a spending limit that does not affect rent, bills, food, savings or other important commitments.
• Set a time limit and take regular breaks away from the screen.
• Avoid gambling when you are upset, tired, stressed, under the influence of alcohol or trying to escape a problem.
• Never borrow money, use credit intended for essential expenses or sell belongings to fund gambling.
• Remember that losses are a normal possible outcome and cannot be chased by increasing your stake.

Tools to help you stay in control

Planning your limits before you start is one of the simplest ways to maintain control. Consider setting separate limits for deposits, spending and time. A limit should be realistic, fixed in advance and low enough that reaching it will not cause financial or emotional difficulty. Once a limit is reached, stop playing rather than changing it in the moment.

Depending on the features available to your account, you may be able to use responsible gambling settings such as deposit limits, session reminders, time-outs or self-exclusion. These tools are designed to create a pause between the decision to gamble and the activity itself. If you are unsure how a setting works, review the information provided on the website or contact support through the available account channels.

Practical ways to manage your play

1. Decide your maximum budget and playing time before opening a game or placing a bet.
2. Keep a simple record of deposits, stakes, wins and losses so you have a clear view of your activity.
3. Use account or device reminders to help you notice how long you have been playing.
4. Take regular breaks, move away from the screen and do something unrelated to gambling.
5. Do not increase your stake because you are losing or decrease your safeguards because you are winning.
6. Avoid using several accounts or payment methods to get around a limit or continue gambling.
7. If you feel uncertain about your behaviour, stop playing and speak with someone you trust.

A temporary break can be useful when you want time away from gambling. If you feel that a short break is not enough, self-exclusion may be a more suitable option. Self-exclusion is a serious decision that restricts access for a chosen period or until a review process is completed, where applicable. Do not attempt to bypass an exclusion by creating another account or using another person's details.

Recognising when gambling may be a problem

Problem gambling can develop gradually. It is not measured only by the amount of money lost. Gambling may be becoming harmful if it affects your finances, relationships, work, study, health, sleep or ability to meet daily responsibilities. You do not need to wait for a crisis before asking for help.

Possible warning signs

• Spending more money or time gambling than you planned.
• Trying to win back losses by gambling more often or using larger amounts.
• Feeling restless, irritable or anxious when you try to stop.
• Hiding gambling activity, deposits, losses or account information from family or friends.
• Borrowing money, missing payments or selling items because of gambling.
• Thinking about gambling frequently or finding it difficult to focus on other activities.
• Gambling to manage sadness, stress, loneliness, anger or other difficult feelings.
• Continuing to gamble despite conflict, financial pressure or other negative consequences.
• Neglecting work, study, family, health, sleep or personal responsibilities.
• Feeling regret, shame or distress after gambling but returning to play soon afterwards.

If any of these signs sound familiar, stop gambling and take the concern seriously. Tell a trusted person what is happening and ask them to support you with practical steps, such as reviewing finances, removing access to gambling funds or helping you activate a break or exclusion. A qualified counsellor or gambling support service can provide confidential guidance tailored to your situation.

People affected by someone else's gambling can also seek help. Family members, partners and friends may experience financial stress, conflict or emotional pressure. You are not responsible for managing another adult's gambling on your own. Consider obtaining independent advice and protecting access to shared finances and important documents.

If gambling is connected with thoughts of self-harm, immediate danger or a serious mental health crisis, stop gambling and seek urgent assistance from emergency services or a qualified crisis support provider in your area.

Support, account safety and our approach

Nextpokies Casino aims to provide clear responsible gambling information and to encourage players to make informed decisions. If you are concerned about your gambling, contact the support team through the contact options shown on the website. Explain that you want responsible gambling assistance and ask about the controls or account restrictions that may be available to you. Support staff may provide information, help you understand account tools or explain the process for requesting a break or exclusion.

Responsible gambling support is not a substitute for professional financial, medical or counselling advice. If gambling has caused debt, relationship problems, anxiety or other harm, consider speaking with an appropriately qualified professional or an Australian gambling support service. Independent help can assist with budgeting, emotional wellbeing, behaviour change and planning for the future.

Keep these principles in mind

• Gamble only with money you can afford to lose.
• Set limits before you play and respect them.
• Never chase losses or gamble to solve financial problems.
• Take breaks and make time for other interests, people and responsibilities.
• Keep your account secure and do not share access with anyone.
• Ask for help early if gambling feels difficult to control.
• Use a time-out or self-exclusion option if you need a longer break.

The safest choice for some people is not to gamble at all. Choosing to stop is a valid and responsible decision. If gambling is no longer enjoyable, or if you are unsure whether it is affecting your life, pause your activity and seek support before playing again.