Gambling can be an enjoyable form of entertainment, but it carries real risks. Understanding those risks and knowing how to manage your play are the foundations of a safer gambling experience.
Recognising Problem Gambling
Problem gambling develops gradually and can affect anyone regardless of how long they have played or how much they wager. Common warning signs include:
- Spending more money or time gambling than you intended
- Chasing losses by continuing to play in an attempt to win back money
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
- Neglecting work, study, or family responsibilities because of gambling
- Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when you try to reduce or stop gambling
- Hiding gambling activity from friends or family
Practical Steps to Stay in Control
Managing your gambling habits proactively is far easier than addressing a problem after it has escalated. Consider building habits such as:
- Setting a budget: Decide in advance how much money you are willing to spend, treat it as the cost of entertainment, and stop when that amount is gone.
- Setting a time limit: Decide how long each session will last before you begin, and use a timer or alarm to remind yourself.
- Avoiding gambling when distressed: Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, or low mood increases the risk of losing control.
- Balancing gambling with other activities: Keeping a varied range of hobbies and social activities reduces the likelihood of gambling filling an unhealthy role in daily life.
- Never gambling with borrowed money: Only wager what you can genuinely afford to lose.
Support Resources in Australia
Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week to anyone in Australia affected by gambling harm, including family members and friends of people who gamble. You can reach them at gamblinghelponline.org.au or by calling 1800 858 858.
Lifeline provides general crisis support and can be reached at 13 11 14 around the clock if gambling-related stress is affecting your mental health.
State and territory governments also fund local counselling services; your general practitioner can provide a referral if you prefer face-to-face support.
Protecting Young People
Gambling products are intended solely for adults. If children or teenagers have access to the devices you use for gambling, take steps to ensure they cannot access gambling sites or apps. Open conversations about the realities of gambling — including the house edge and the role of chance — help young people form realistic attitudes before they reach adulthood.
Getting Help for Someone Else
Watching someone you care about struggle with gambling can be distressing. Gambling Help Online supports family members and friends as well as the people who gamble directly. Approaching the conversation with empathy rather than blame and focusing on specific behaviours you have observed rather than character judgements tends to be more effective in encouraging someone to seek help.