Responsible Gaming

At refugee-women-participation-sgbv-tool.com, we believe that gambling should always be a form of entertainment — never a way to earn money, solve financial problems, or escape from personal difficulties. While most people who bet on sports or play casino games do so responsibly, gambling carries real risks. This page is designed to help you stay in control, recognise the warning signs of problem gambling, and know where to find help if you need it in 2026 and beyond.

1. Gambling Is Entertainment, Not Income

The outcome of any bet or casino game is determined by chance. No strategy, system, or "sure thing" can guarantee winnings. Please remember:

• Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
• Never borrow money or use funds meant for essentials (rent, bills, food) to gamble.
• Set a budget and a time limit before you start — and stick to them.
• Do not gamble when you are upset, stressed, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or in financial difficulty.
• Never chase your losses. Accept them as the cost of entertainment.

2. Age Verification

In Australia, you must be 18 years or older to gamble legally. Licensed betting operators are required to verify your identity and age before allowing you to wager. If you share a device with minors, we strongly recommend:

• Never leaving your betting accounts logged in.
• Using parental control software such as NetNanny or the Family Safety tools built into your device.
• Keeping your payment details and passwords secure.

Underage gambling is illegal, and any winnings obtained by a minor will be forfeited.

3. 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 — betting more to try to win back money you have lost
• ☐ Hiding your gambling from family or friends, or lying about how much you spend
• ☐ Spending more time or money on gambling than you intended
• ☐ Borrowing money, selling possessions, or going into debt to gamble
• ☐ Neglecting work, study, or family responsibilities because of gambling
• ☐ Feeling anxious, guilty, or irritable when you try to cut down or stop
• ☐ Gambling to escape problems or difficult feelings
• ☐ Needing to bet larger amounts to feel the same excitement
• ☐ Repeatedly trying and failing to stop or reduce your gambling

If you ticked even one or two of these boxes, it may be time to take action or speak to a professional. Seeking help early makes recovery much easier.

4. Self-Help Tools

All licensed Australian betting operators must offer tools to help you stay in control. We encourage you to use them:

• Deposit limits – Cap the amount you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Loss limits – Set a maximum amount you are prepared to lose over a period.
• Reality checks – Receive on-screen reminders of how long you have been playing and how much you have spent.
• Time-outs – Take a short break from your account, from 24 hours to several weeks.
• Self-exclusion – Block yourself from gambling for a longer period. In Australia, you can register with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register (www.betstop.gov.au) to exclude yourself from all licensed online and phone wagering services at once.
• Activity statements – Review your full betting history to understand your spending patterns.

5. Support Organisations

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

• Gambling Help Online – www.gamblinghelponline.org.au – Free, confidential counselling, live chat, and self-help resources available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Phone: 1800 858 858.
• BetStop – National Self-Exclusion Register – www.betstop.gov.au – Register once to block yourself from every licensed online and phone wagering provider in Australia.
• Gamblers Anonymous Australia – www.gaaustralia.org.au – Peer support meetings for people recovering from gambling problems.
• Lifeline – www.lifeline.org.au – Crisis support and suicide prevention. Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7).
• Beyond Blue – www.beyondblue.org.au – Support for anxiety and depression, which often accompany gambling harm. Phone: 1300 22 4636.

6. If You Have a Problem, Seek Help Today

There is no shame in asking for help. Gambling harm is a recognised health issue, and effective, confidential support is available to you — often at no cost. If you recognise yourself in the warning signs above, or if gambling is affecting your finances, relationships, work, or mental health, please reach out now:

Call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 (Australia, 24/7, free and confidential), or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au to chat with a counsellor online.

Taking the first step is the hardest — and the most important. Help is always available, and recovery is possible.

This page was last reviewed for accuracy in 2026. refugee-women-participation-sgbv-tool.com is an informational affiliate website and does not operate gambling services. We promote responsible gambling in all our content.