Stay in control of your play

Gambling is for adults only. You must be 18 or older. Playing for real money costs money, and nobody can promise you a win. Treat every dollar you stake as spent. If you search for an Australian online casino for real money, read this page first.

One thing before the checklists. None of the five casinos we compare is licensed by an Australian state or territory regulator or by ACMA. Kingmaker and Casinova hold Curaçao licences. Cleobetra and Betrepublic hold Anjouan licences. Betwest does not publish a gambling licence at all; its operator is a company registered in Costa Rica. That means the protections you may expect from a local regulator do not apply to you at these sites. Limits and self-control matter even more.

Warning signs

Problems rarely start with one big loss. They build slowly. Be honest with yourself about these signs:

• You play for longer or stake more than you planned.
• You chase losses by depositing again to win money back.
• You hide your gambling or lie about it.
• You gamble with money meant for rent, bills or food.
• You feel anxious, irritable or flat when you are not playing.
• You borrow money to play.
• Gambling hurts your sleep, work or relationships.

Even one or two of these is worth taking seriously.

Set limits before you play

Decide your limits while you are calm, not in the middle of a session. Write them down.

1. Pick a monthly budget from spare money only. Never use savings or borrowed funds.
2. Set a time limit and use a phone alarm.
3. Stop when you reach either limit, win or lose.
4. Do not top up a deposit to continue after a bad run.
5. Take regular breaks away from the screen.

A big bonus is not a reason to deposit more. Wagering rules can lock you into playing longer than you meant to, so read our guide on how to read wagering requirements before accepting any offer. Remember that cancelling a bonus removes the bonus balance, and that you can simply decline a bonus and play with your own money.

Self-exclusion

In Australia, BetStop is the national self-exclusion register. You sign up once, choose a period, and licensed Australian wagering providers must stop you from betting with them. It is free. Be aware of the limit: the casinos on this site are not licensed in Australia, so they are unlikely to check the register. BetStop helps, but it will not block offshore sites by itself.

If you want to stop, add your own barriers as well:

• Close your accounts with each casino and ask in writing for self-exclusion.
• Delete saved card details and uninstall gambling apps.
• Use website-blocking software on your devices.
• Ask your bank whether it can block gambling transactions.
• Unsubscribe from promotional emails and messages.

Where to get help in Australia

Gambling Help Online is free, confidential and open to anyone affected by gambling, including family and friends. Call 1800 858 858 or use the online chat on the Gambling Help Online website. You do not need to be sure you have a problem to ask for support.

If you are worried about someone else, talk to them without blame, offer to go with them to a counsellor, and look after your own wellbeing too. If you feel unsafe or in crisis, contact emergency services right away.