Responsible Gaming

Gamble for entertainment, not income

Gambling involves risk, and there is no guaranteed way to win. Game results cannot be predicted or relied on as a source of income. You should only gamble with money you can afford to lose after your everyday needs, bills, debts, savings and other financial commitments have been covered.

Before you play, decide how much money and time you are comfortable spending. Treat this amount as an entertainment cost rather than an investment. Once your budget or time limit has been reached, stop playing. Do not increase your spending because you have lost, and do not chase a win by trying to recover previous losses.

A win does not mean that another win is due, and a loss does not make a win more likely. Each result should be treated as a separate outcome. Be cautious of systems, strategies or claims that suggest gambling results can be guaranteed, predicted or controlled. No strategy removes the risk involved in gambling.

Gambling may be harder to manage when you are tired, upset, stressed, bored, under the influence of alcohol or other substances, or experiencing financial difficulty. Taking a break in these circumstances can help you make a clearer decision. Avoid gambling when it may interfere with work, study, sleep, relationships or other responsibilities.

You must be 18 or over to use gambling services in Australia. Do not allow another person to use your account, and do not ask someone else to gamble on your behalf. Keep your account credentials private and take reasonable steps to protect access to your account.

Responsible gambling is about making informed choices and keeping gambling within boundaries that suit your circumstances. You are not required to spend a particular amount or continue playing once you have reached your personal limit. If gambling no longer feels enjoyable or manageable, stop and consider seeking support.

Recognising possible warning signs

For some people, gambling can become difficult to control. A problem may develop gradually, and its effects may not be obvious at first. Changes in your spending, mood, relationships or daily routine can indicate that gambling is no longer staying within the limits you intended.

You may need to review your gambling if you:

• Spend more time or money gambling than you originally planned.
• Think about gambling frequently or feel restless when you try to stop.
• Increase the amount you wager to achieve the same level of excitement.
• Gamble to escape stress, sadness, boredom or other difficult feelings.
• Continue playing or place larger bets to chase losses.
• Borrow money, sell belongings or use essential funds for gambling.
• Hide your gambling activity or spending from family, friends or colleagues.
• Miss work, study, appointments or social commitments because of gambling.
• Argue with people close to you about gambling or its financial effects.
• Feel anxious, guilty, ashamed or unhappy after gambling.
• Have difficulty paying bills or meeting other financial commitments.
• Try to stop or cut back but find that you cannot do so without support.

Other signs that may require attention include:

• Returning to gambling soon after deciding to take a break.
• Using more than one account or another person's account to continue playing.
• Feeling that gambling is affecting your sleep, health, concentration or relationships.
• Checking results, balances or gambling opportunities repeatedly throughout the day.
• Feeling irritable or distressed when you cannot gamble.
• Making promises to reduce gambling but repeatedly breaking them.
• Spending money intended for rent, food, utilities or other essential needs.
• Making financial decisions while focused on recovering a previous loss.
• Neglecting hobbies, social activities or responsibilities that were previously important.
• Feeling that you need to keep gambling until you reach a particular result.
• Avoiding honest conversations about gambling, deposits or losses.
• Feeling unable to enjoy gambling unless the amount wagered is increased.

One warning sign does not define your situation, but several signs may indicate that it is time to take a break and speak with someone. You do not need to wait for a crisis before asking for help. Talking early with a trusted person or a qualified gambling support service can make it easier to understand what is happening and decide what to do next.

Practical ways to stay in control

Responsible gambling works best when you make decisions before you start playing. A plan can reduce the chance of making impulsive choices during a session. Keep your approach simple, realistic and suited to your personal circumstances. A limit should be a boundary that protects your budget, not an amount you feel obliged to spend.

Consider these steps before and during play:

1. Set a gambling budget and keep it separate from rent, mortgage payments, bills, food, savings and other essential expenses.
2. Set a time limit before you begin and use a reminder to help you finish your session as planned.
3. Do not borrow money or use credit to gamble. Stop when your gambling budget has been used.
4. Avoid chasing losses. A loss is not a reason to increase your stake or continue playing.
5. Take regular breaks and spend time on activities that are unrelated to gambling.
6. Do not gamble while affected by alcohol, medication or other substances that may affect your judgement.
7. Keep a record of deposits, bets and spending so you can review your activity honestly.
8. Discuss your budget with someone you trust if you find it difficult to maintain on your own.
9. Turn off promotional messages or marketing communications if they encourage you to play when you do not want to.
10. Use available account controls, such as deposit, spending, wagering or session limits, where those tools are offered.
11. Ask for a temporary break or self-exclusion if ordinary limits do not feel sufficient.
12. Review your gambling habits regularly and reduce or stop if they are becoming difficult to manage.

Account tools may differ depending on the service, product and applicable requirements. Read the information shown with each control carefully before confirming a limit or break. Some settings may take effect immediately, while others may apply in accordance with the relevant account rules. If you are unsure how a tool works, pause your gambling and seek clarification through the available support channel.

If you set a limit and later feel tempted to increase it, consider taking a break instead. Raising a limit because you are losing, bored or trying to continue a session can make it harder to stay within your intended budget. Choose limits that fit comfortably within your circumstances and do not treat the maximum available setting as a target.

Keeping gambling separate from other parts of your life can also help. Avoid gambling during work or study, do not allow it to replace sleep or social activities, and be open with people you trust about the boundaries you have set. If you cannot maintain those boundaries, stop playing and seek support.

Taking a break and getting support

If gambling is affecting your wellbeing, finances or relationships, taking a break is an important first step. Stop playing, use available account restriction or self-exclusion options, and tell a trusted person what you are experiencing. Support from someone you trust can make it easier to follow through with your decision and reduce the chance of returning to gambling impulsively.

If you request a break or self-exclusion, do not create another account or use another person's account to continue gambling. Avoid services or situations that make it easier to return before your chosen break has ended. If you are concerned that you may not be able to maintain a break by yourself, speak with a qualified gambling support service about an individual plan.

Support is available in Australia

People in Australia can seek confidential information and assistance through recognised gambling support services, including services that provide online, telephone or face-to-face help. Depending on your circumstances, support may include counselling, practical strategies, financial guidance and information for family members or friends. Availability can vary by location and service.

You can also speak with a general practitioner, mental health professional, financial counsellor or local community service. You do not need to be certain that you have a gambling problem before asking for help. A professional can help you understand your options, identify practical steps and develop a plan without judgement.

If gambling has caused immediate financial pressure, prioritise essential expenses and consider speaking with a financial counsellor before making further gambling decisions. Do not try to solve gambling-related debt by gambling more, borrowing more or increasing your stakes. Consider asking your bank or a trusted person about ways to protect money needed for essential expenses.

Family members and friends may also be affected by another person's gambling. If you are concerned about someone else, choose a calm time to discuss what you have noticed. Focus on the effects of gambling rather than blame, encourage professional support and protect your own financial and emotional wellbeing. You should not feel responsible for controlling another person's gambling.

If you feel unsafe, overwhelmed or at risk of harming yourself, seek urgent help from emergency services or a mental health service in your area. Gambling-related stress can feel intense, but support is available and asking for help is a positive step.

Luckyvibe Casino encourages players to make responsible choices and ask for help early. We cannot provide financial, legal or medical advice, and the information on this page is general in nature. If you are concerned about your gambling, stop playing, use the available account controls and contact an appropriate support service. You do not have to manage the situation alone.