Responsible Gaming
Gambling Should Be Entertainment, Not Income
At cricketersarmsbalmain.com.au, we believe gambling should always be a fun, recreational activity — never a way to earn money, pay bills, or escape financial difficulties. Pokies and other forms of gambling are games of chance: the odds always favour the house, and losses are a normal part of play. If you ever find yourself gambling to chase losses or to solve money problems, it's time to stop and seek support.
Age Verification
In Australia, you must be 18 years or older to gamble legally. This applies to pokies, casinos, betting, and all other gambling products. Operators are required by law to verify the age and identity of their customers. If you are under 18, please leave this website. Parents and guardians are encouraged to use parental controls and filtering software to prevent minors from accessing gambling content.
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 or lying about how much time or money you spend gambling
- Borrowing money, selling possessions, or going into debt to gamble
- Gambling with money meant for rent, bills, groceries, or other essentials
- Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to cut down or stop
- Neglecting work, study, family, or relationships because of gambling
- Gambling to escape stress, depression, loneliness, or other problems
- Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to feel the same excitement
- Unsuccessful attempts to control, cut back, or stop gambling
If you answered "yes" to one or more of these, it may be time to talk to someone.
Self-Help Tools
Most licensed gambling operators offer practical tools to help you stay in control. We 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 in a given period
- Session and time limits — restrict how long you can play in one session
- Reality checks — on-screen reminders showing how long you've been playing and how much you've spent
- Self-exclusion — voluntarily ban yourself from a venue, website, or app for a set period or permanently. In Australia, you can register with BetStop — the National Self-Exclusion Register for online and phone wagering
- Account history — regularly review your deposits, losses, and time spent gambling
Support Organizations
Free, confidential help is available 24/7 across Australia:
- Gambling Help Online — free, confidential counselling and support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
- BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register — exclude yourself from all licensed Australian online and phone wagering services. Visit www.betstop.gov.au
- Lifeline Australia — crisis support and suicide prevention. Call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au
- Gamblers Anonymous Australia — peer support groups for people affected by gambling. Visit www.gamblersanonymous.org.au
- Financial Counselling Australia — free help with gambling-related debt. Call 1800 007 007 (National Debt Helpline)
Support is also available for family members and friends affected by someone else's gambling.
If You Have a Problem, Seek Help Today
Recognising a gambling problem is a sign of strength, not weakness. Help is free, confidential, and available right now. If gambling is no longer fun — if it's causing stress, debt, or hurting your relationships — please reach out. Call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au. You are not alone, and recovery is possible.
Last reviewed: 2026 · cricketersarmsbalmain.com.au