Help, limits and self-exclusion

Setting limits before you start

Decide on a deposit limit and a session limit before you open a game, not after a loss. A deposit limit is the most you will put into the account over a set period; a session limit is how long you will play before stopping. Set both while you are calm and not chasing anything, and treat them as fixed rather than something to renegotiate when you are behind.

Our partner's cashier and account settings let you set deposit limits, and you can ask for them to be lowered at any time. A session limit is something you set for yourself, with a timer or an alarm if that helps. If you find yourself wanting to raise a limit shortly after setting it, that is worth noticing. Limits are easier to keep when they are set before the first bet rather than in the middle of a session.

Recognising the urge to chase losses

Chasing is putting more money in to win back what you have already lost, often with larger bets or a game you would not normally choose. It can look like topping up after a bad run, moving to a different game to "get it back", or telling yourself one more deposit will fix things. It is common, and it is one of the clearest signs that a session has stopped being recreational.

Because pokies returns are a long-run average, a session is not a small sample of that average and nothing you do during a session changes the odds. There is no strategy that wins back a loss, and the next spin is independent of the last. If you notice yourself chasing, the useful move is to stop the session, not to increase the stake. Stepping away and looking at the account balance the next day is usually clearer than deciding in the moment.

Support, limits and taking a break

Free and confidential help is available across Australia, and you do not need to have a serious problem to use it. Gambling Help Online offers chat and email support, and BetStop is the national self-exclusion register that lets you block yourself from gambling services for a period you choose. Both are free, and using them does not require you to explain yourself to anyone at a casino.

If you want to stop for a while, self-exclusion through BetStop is the formal route, and it covers participating operators. You can also ask our partner to close or suspend your account, and you can set deposit limits to zero. Reaching out to a friend or family member about what is happening is often the step that makes the rest easier. Help is there whether you are worried about your own gambling or someone else's.

Can I set a deposit limit after I have already deposited?

Yes. Limits can be set or lowered at any time, and lowering a limit usually takes effect straight away. If you want to stop depositing entirely, you can ask our partner to set the limit to zero or to close your account.

What is the difference between a session limit and self-exclusion?

A session limit is a limit you set for yourself on how long you play, while self-exclusion through BetStop is a formal block from gambling services for a period you choose. Self-exclusion is the stronger step and is handled through the national register rather than by the operator alone.