Responsible Gaming

Gambling Should Be Entertainment, Not Income

At afvpconference.org, we believe that playing pokies — whether with PayID or any other payment method — should always be a form of entertainment, never a way to earn money or escape financial difficulty. The odds always favour the house over time, and no strategy, system, or "lucky streak" can change that. Please only ever gamble with money you can comfortably afford to lose, and treat any winnings as a bonus rather than an expectation. If gambling stops being fun, it's time to stop.

Age Verification — 18+ Only

Gambling is strictly for adults. In Australia, you must be 18 years of age or older to legally gamble. The operators we reference are required to verify the age and identity of their customers. Underage gambling is illegal, and we strongly encourage parents and guardians to use parental control software and to keep account details, passwords, and payment methods secure and out of reach of minors.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or income. 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 from family, friends, or your partner
• Gambling with money set aside for rent, bills, groceries, or other essentials
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or going into debt to fund gambling
• Spending more time or money on gambling than you planned
• Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when you try to cut down or stop
• Gambling to escape stress, loneliness, depression, or other problems
• Lying about how much you gamble or how much you've lost
• Neglecting work, study, relationships, or responsibilities because of gambling
• Repeatedly trying and failing to cut back or quit

If you recognised yourself in one or more of these points, please consider reaching out for support — it's free, confidential, and available right now.

Self-Help Tools

Licensed gambling operators offer practical tools to help you stay in control. We encourage every player to set limits before they start playing:

• Deposit limits — cap how much money you can add to your account daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Loss limits — set a maximum amount you're willing to lose in a given period.
• Wager/time limits — restrict how much you can bet or how long you can play in a 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 (24 hours to several weeks) from your account.
• Self-exclusion — block yourself from gambling services for a longer period or permanently. In Australia, you can register with BetStop (www.betstop.gov.au), the National Self-Exclusion Register, to exclude yourself from all licensed Australian online and phone wagering services in a single step.

Setting a budget, never gambling under the influence of alcohol or when upset, and treating gambling purely as a paid form of entertainment are simple habits that make a real difference.

Support Organisations

If gambling is causing you or someone you love harm, help is available — free, confidential, and non-judgemental:

Australia

• Gambling Help Online — free, confidential 24/7 counselling, live chat, and support for anyone affected by gambling in Australia. Visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au or call 1800 858 858.
• BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register — register to self-exclude from all licensed Australian interactive wagering services. Visit www.betstop.gov.au.
• Lifeline Australia — 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention. Call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au.

International Resources

• United Kingdom: GamCare (www.gamcare.org.uk) and GamStop self-exclusion (www.gamstop.co.uk)
• Canada: Responsible Gambling Council (www.responsiblegambling.org)
• United States: National Council on Problem Gambling (www.ncpgambling.org), call or text 1-800-522-4700
• Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) — Check dein Spiel

If You Have a Problem, Seek Help Today

Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. If gambling is no longer fun, if it's affecting your finances, your relationships, or your mental health, please contact Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au — support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and it's completely free and confidential. You are not alone, and help works.

Last reviewed: 2026. This page is provided by afvpconference.org as part of our commitment to safer gambling for Australian players.