Responsible Gaming
Gambling Should Be Entertainment — Not a Way to Earn Money
At getaheadkids.com.au, we want every visitor who chooses to play payid online pokies or any other real-money casino game to do so safely. Gambling is a form of entertainment that involves risk — the odds always favour the house over time. It should never be viewed as a source of income, a solution to financial problems, or a way to escape stress.
Before you play, set a budget you can comfortably afford to lose, decide on a time limit, and treat any money you spend as the cost of entertainment — just like a ticket to a show. Never gamble with money set aside for rent, bills, food, or other essentials.
Age Verification
Gambling in Australia is strictly for adults aged 18 years or older. It is illegal for anyone under 18 to gamble or to open an account at an online wagering service.
Licensed operators are required to verify your age and identity. If you share your home or devices with minors, please:
- Never leave your gambling accounts logged in.
- Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
- Consider parental control or filtering software such as the options recommended by the Australian eSafety Commissioner.
- Keep PayID and other payment credentials private and secure.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can affect anyone. Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you or someone you care about:
- Chasing losses — gambling more to try to win back money you've lost.
- Hiding your gambling — lying to family or friends about how much time or money you spend.
- Borrowing money, selling possessions, or using credit to fund gambling.
- Spending more than you planned or can afford.
- Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, depression, or boredom.
- Neglecting work, study, family, or relationships because of gambling.
- Feeling irritable, restless, or anxious when you try to cut down or stop.
- Thinking about gambling constantly, or needing bigger bets to feel the same excitement.
- Unsuccessful attempts to stop or reduce your gambling.
If you recognise even one or two of these signs, it may be time to take a break and talk to someone. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Self-Help Tools
Most licensed Australian-facing gambling operators offer tools to help you stay in control. We strongly encourage you to use them:
- Deposit limits — cap how much money you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
- Loss limits — set a maximum amount you're willing to lose over a set period.
- Session and time limits — restrict how long you can play in a single session.
- Reality checks — on-screen reminders showing how long you've been playing and how much you've spent.
- Cooling-off periods — take a short break of 24 hours, a week, or a month.
- Self-exclusion — block yourself from gambling sites for an extended period or permanently. In Australia, you can register with BetStop — the National Self-Exclusion Register — which covers all licensed Australian online and telephone wagering services in a single step.
You can also ask your bank to block gambling transactions on your cards and accounts, and consider gambling-blocking software for your devices.
Support Organisations
Free, confidential help is available 24/7. If you or someone you know is affected by gambling, please reach out:
Australia
- Gambling Help Online — free, confidential, 24/7 counselling and support for anyone affected by gambling in Australia. Phone: 1800 858 858. Website: www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
- BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register — www.betstop.gov.au
- Lifeline Australia — crisis support, phone 13 11 14 — www.lifeline.org.au
International Resources
- United Kingdom: GamCare — www.gamcare.org.uk; GamStop self-exclusion — www.gamstop.co.uk
- Canada: Responsible Gambling Council — www.responsiblegambling.org
- United States: National Council on Problem Gambling — call or text 1-800-GAMBLER — www.ncpgambling.org
- Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) — helpline 0800 1 37 27 00
If Gambling Stops Being Fun, Get Help
If gambling is causing you stress, debt, or problems in your relationships, please don't face it alone. Contact Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au — support is free, confidential, and available around the clock.
Remember: set limits, take breaks, never chase losses, and only ever gamble with money you can afford to lose. When the fun stops, stop.
Last reviewed: 2026. This page is provided by getaheadkids.com.au for informational purposes and does not replace professional advice.