Staying in control

Setting your spending limits in advance

A limit works best when it is set before you open a game, not after a loss. Decide on two things: the most you are willing to lose in a session, and how long you will play. Both should be amounts and durations you can afford to lose without affecting rent, bills or groceries. If you use an account with our partner, check what deposit and session limit tools are available in the cashier or account settings and set them before your first bet.

Once a limit is set, treat it as fixed. Topping up a deposit limit or extending a session because you are behind is the point where play stops being recreational. Many people find it easier to keep gambling money separate from everyday money, and to take a break when the session limit is reached rather than negotiating with yourself. If you cannot stick to the limit you set, that is worth taking seriously.

How loss chasing can show up

Chasing losses is the attempt to win back money already lost, usually by increasing bets or playing longer than planned. It often starts with a thought like "one more spin will fix it". The tell is a change in behaviour: betting more than your limit, playing past your session time, or using money set aside for something else. Because each spin is independent, past results do not make a win more likely, so chasing does not improve your chance of recovering the loss.

A return figure on a pokie is a long-run average across many plays, not a promise for your session. A short session can produce any result. If you notice yourself chasing, the practical response is to stop, close the game and step away. Some people set a rule in advance that any chase ends the session. If chasing has become a pattern, the help services listed on this page are free and confidential.

Support services and contacts in Australia

Free and confidential support is available across Australia. Gambling Help Online offers counselling and support by phone, chat and email, and the BetStop national self-exclusion register lets you exclude yourself from licensed online and telephone betting providers for a period you choose. Both are listed on this page with their contact details. You can also speak with your GP, who can refer you to local services.

If gambling is affecting your money, relationships or mood, reaching out early tends to make things easier. You do not need to have a diagnosed problem to use these services. This site is for adults, and the 18+ notice on this page reflects that pokies and casino bonuses are not for minors. If you are worried about someone else's play, the same services can advise you on how to raise it.

How do I set a deposit limit with our partner?

Look for deposit or session limit options in your account settings or the cashier area. If you cannot find them, contact our partner's support directly before you play.

Is chasing losses ever a good idea?

No. Each spin is independent, so increasing bets to recover a loss does not improve your chance of winning. It is a common sign that play has moved beyond entertainment.