Responsible Gaming

Our Commitment to Safe Gambling

At australiafriendshipchess.org, we believe gambling should always be a form of entertainment — never a way to earn money, solve financial problems, or escape from stress. Pokies and other casino games are games of chance: the house always has an edge, and losses are part of the experience. Only ever gamble with money you can afford to lose, and treat any winnings as a bonus, not an income. If gambling stops being fun, it's time to stop.

Age Verification

In Australia, you must be 18 years or older to gamble legally. This applies to pokies, casinos, wagering, and online gambling services. Licensed operators are required by law to verify the age and identity of their customers. We do not promote gambling to minors, and we encourage parents and guardians to use parental controls and filtering software to prevent underage access to gambling content.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can affect anyone. Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you or someone you care about:

• Chasing losses — gambling more to try to win back money you've lost
• Hiding your gambling from family or friends, or lying about how much you spend
• Gambling with money meant for essentials like rent, bills, or groceries
• Borrowing money or going into debt to fund gambling
• Spending more time or money on gambling than you intended
• Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when you try to cut down or stop
• Gambling to escape worries, boredom, or negative feelings
• Neglecting work, study, relationships, or responsibilities because of gambling
• Repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut back or quit

If you recognised yourself in several of these points, it may be time to seek support. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Self-Help Tools

Licensed Australian operators offer practical tools to help you stay in control. We encourage you to use them before gambling becomes a problem:

• Deposit limits — set a maximum amount you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly
• Loss limits — cap how much you can lose over a set period
• Time and session limits — restrict how long you can play in a single session
• Reality checks — on-screen reminders showing how long you've been playing and how much you've spent
• Self-exclusion — voluntarily ban yourself from a venue or online service for a set period or permanently
• Pre-commitment programs — such as state-based schemes that let you set limits on pokies play in advance

In addition, Australians can register with BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, to block themselves from all licensed online and phone wagering services in Australia.

Support Organizations

Free, confidential help is available 24/7 across Australia:

• Gambling Help Online — free, confidential support, counselling, and live chat for Australians affected by gambling. Call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
• Gamblers Anonymous Australia — peer support meetings nationwide. Visit www.gaaustralia.org.au
• Lifeline Australia — crisis support and suicide prevention. Call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue — support for anxiety, depression, and related issues. Call 1300 22 4636 or visit www.beyondblue.org.au
• BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register — visit www.betstop.gov.au

If You Have a Problem, Seek Help Today

If gambling is causing you or your loved ones harm, please don't wait. Confidential, judgement-free help is available right now — call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858, any time, day or night. Talking to someone is the first step toward taking back control. Remember: gambling is entertainment, and it should never cost you your wellbeing, your relationships, or your financial security.

Last reviewed: 2026. australiafriendshipchess.org is committed to promoting responsible gambling practices across Australia.