Responsible Gambling

Pokies are built to be fast, bright and easy to keep playing. That is exactly why they need firmer limits than most forms of gambling. This page covers the warning signs I see most often in pokies play, the maths behind the house edge, the tools that actually help, and where Australians can get free support today.

What are the warning signs of pokies harm?

The clearest signs are chasing losses, spending longer or more than you planned, buying bonus features again and again, hiding play from people close to you, and depositing money meant for bills. One sign is worth taking seriously; several together mean it is time to stop and get support.

Chasing losses

You lose A$100, so you deposit another A$100 to win it back. Then another. Each deposit feels like the fix, but every spin carries the same house edge as the last. Chasing is the fastest way a bad arvo turns into a bad month.

Bonus buy spirals

Many modern pokies let you pay a large multiple of your bet to jump straight into the bonus round. It skips the base game, so your money goes out in big chunks with nothing in between to slow you down. If you notice yourself buying feature after feature to find the big one, that is a spiral, not a strategy.

Long sessions

Online pokies never close. There is no last drinks call, no walk to the car. Sessions that stretch for hours, or play late into the night when you meant to stop, are a common early warning.

Other signs to watch

• Raising your bet size to make back losses faster.
• Borrowing money, using credit or selling things to keep playing.
• Feeling anxious, flat or irritable when you are not playing.
• Lying to family or friends about how much time or money goes on pokies.
• Treating withdrawals as money to replay rather than money to keep.

How does the house edge work on pokies?

RTP, or return to player, is the share of all money wagered that a pokie pays back over a very long run. A pokie with 96% RTP keeps 4% on average, which means an expected loss of A$4 for every A$100 you wager, not every A$100 you deposit.

That last point catches people out. If you deposit A$100 and spin it through several times, you might wager A$500 or more in a session. At 96% RTP the expected loss on A$500 wagered is A$20, and the more you cycle your balance, the more the edge adds up.

These are long run averages. In any single session you can win big or lose everything you put in, and high volatility pokies swing harder both ways. RTP also varies by casino: studios release several RTP settings and a casino may run a lower one, which you can check in each game’s info screen.

No betting system, bet pattern or time of day changes the RTP. The only thing you control is how much you wager and for how long.

Which tools help you stay in control?

Set a deposit limit before you play, turn on reality checks, and use a cooling off period or self-exclusion if you need a break. Offshore casinos vary in which tools they offer, so check the account or responsible gaming section before your first deposit.

1. Deposit limits. Set a daily, weekly or monthly cap in your casino account. Pick the number while you are calm, not during a session. At many sites, lowering a limit applies quickly while raising one takes a waiting period.
2. Reality checks. A pop up that shows how long you have been playing and how much you have won or lost. Set it to 30 or 60 minutes.
3. Loss and session limits. Where offered, cap how much you can lose or how long you can stay logged in.
4. Cooling off. A short break, often from a day to several weeks, during which you cannot log in or deposit.
5. Self-exclusion. A longer block from that casino. Ask support to close the account and to stop marketing emails too.

My own rule: I decide the session budget before I open the lobby, and I withdraw anything above it. If a casino makes limits hard to find, I count that against it on how we rate casinos.

Does BetStop block offshore pokies sites?

No. BetStop is the free National Self-Exclusion Register, and it covers licensed Australian online and phone wagering providers. Offshore casinos offering pokies are not licensed in Australia and are not part of BetStop, so registering will not block them.

BetStop is still worth using if you also bet on sport or racing, because it stops licensed Australian bookmakers from taking your bets or marketing to you. Register at betstop.gov.au. For offshore pokies sites, pair BetStop with casino self-exclusion and a blocking app.

Can you block gambling sites on your devices?

Yes. Blocking software such as Gamban and BetBlocker stops gambling websites and apps from loading on your phone, tablet or computer. It works on offshore casino sites that BetStop does not reach, which makes it the most practical block for online pokies.

• Gamban blocks gambling sites and apps across your devices.
• BetBlocker is a free blocker that lets you set how long the block lasts.

Install a blocker on every device you use, including work and family devices you have access to. Also ask your bank whether it offers a gambling transaction block on your card.

Where can Australians get support?

Gambling Help Online is the national service: call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au for free, confidential counselling by phone, chat or email, any time. It can also connect you with face to face services in your state or territory.

Every state and territory funds its own gambling help services, including support for family members affected by someone else’s gambling. Calling 1800 858 858 is the quickest way to be referred to the right local service, wherever you live.

What if someone you care about is struggling?

Talk to them calmly and without blame, focus on what you have noticed rather than labels, and point them to Gambling Help Online. Family members can call 1800 858 858 for their own support too, even if the person gambling is not ready to.

Frequently asked questions

Can I win back my losses by playing longer?

No. Every spin has the same house edge, so playing longer increases the total you wager and the amount you can expect to lose. Losses are the cost of play, not a debt the pokie owes you.

Is a 96% RTP pokie safe to play?

RTP measures the average return over a very long run, not your odds in a session. At 96% you still lose A$4 per A$100 wagered on average, and volatile pokies can take your whole balance quickly.

Will BetStop stop me playing online pokies?

No. BetStop covers licensed Australian wagering providers only. Offshore casinos are outside it, so use casino self-exclusion and a blocker such as Gamban or BetBlocker as well.

Are bonus buys riskier than normal spins?

They concentrate your spending. You pay a large multiple of your bet in one go, and many bonus rounds pay back less than the price. Several buys in a row can empty a balance in minutes.

Who can I call for help in Australia?

Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858, free and confidential, 24 hours a day. You can also chat or email through gamblinghelponline.org.au, and it can refer you to services in your state.

If pokies stop being fun, stop. Call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858, and register with BetStop at betstop.gov.au if you also bet with Australian bookmakers.