Responsible Gaming

Gambling involves risk, and outcomes are determined by chance. No strategy, system or pattern can guarantee a win. Previous results do not influence future results, and a losing run does not mean that a win is due. Treat every wager as entertainment and decide your spending limits before you start.

Responsible gambling means remaining in control of how often you play, how long you play and how much you spend. It also means understanding when gambling is no longer enjoyable or when it begins to affect your finances, relationships, work, study or wellbeing. If you feel concerned about your gambling, stop playing and seek support as early as possible.

Practical habits for safer play

• Set a spending limit before you play and do not increase it to recover losses.
• Set a time limit and take regular breaks away from gambling.
• Only gamble with money left after essential costs such as rent, food, bills and other commitments have been paid.
• Keep gambling separate from your everyday budget and avoid using borrowed money, credit or money intended for essential expenses.
• Do not chase losses. Accept that a loss is a cost of entertainment and stop when your planned budget has been used.
• Avoid gambling when you are upset, stressed, tired, affected by alcohol or drugs, or trying to solve a financial problem.
• Do not let gambling interfere with work, study, sleep, family time or other interests.
• Keep your account details secure and do not allow another person to use your account.
• Review your gambling activity regularly so that you remain aware of your deposits, wagers, wins, losses and time spent playing.

A useful question to ask is whether you would still choose to gamble if you knew you would not win. If the answer is no, consider taking a break. Gambling is not a reliable source of income, and winnings should never be treated as guaranteed, regular or expected.

Plan your gambling before you begin. Decide how much money and time you are prepared to spend, and treat those amounts as limits rather than targets. Once your planned budget or session has ended, stop playing. Do not rely on a future win to cover ordinary expenses, repay debts or improve your financial position.

Safer-play tools can help you stay within the boundaries you set. Depending on the services available on your account, you may be able to use controls relating to deposits, wagering, losses, session time, reminders or account access. These controls are intended to support informed decisions, but they work best when chosen before gambling begins.

Consider setting personal limits

• A deposit limit to restrict the amount added to your account over a selected period.
• A time limit or session reminder to help you notice how long you have been playing.
• A spending or loss limit to help keep gambling within your entertainment budget.
• A cooling-off period when you want to take a short break without permanently closing your account.
• A self-exclusion request when you need a longer break or want to prevent access to gambling services.

Choose limits that reflect what you can genuinely afford, rather than an amount you hope to win back. A limit should not be viewed as a target or an invitation to spend up to that amount. If a limit no longer feels suitable, stop gambling and reassess your situation rather than increasing it.

Self-exclusion is a stronger account restriction for people who want to stop gambling. If you request self-exclusion, follow the instructions provided through the relevant account or support process. Do not create another account, use another person's account or look for ways around a restriction. If you want to return after a break, any reactivation process should be considered carefully and only when you feel ready.

A cooling-off period may be useful if you recognise that you are playing more often than planned or want time to reflect on your habits. During a break, avoid replacing one gambling account with another service. Use the time to review your finances, speak with someone you trust and consider whether professional support would be helpful.

Account tools are not a substitute for professional help. If you are finding it difficult to set a limit, keep to a limit or stop playing, speak with a qualified gambling support service, financial counsellor or health professional.

Problem gambling can develop gradually. You may not notice the impact immediately, and the signs can be different for each person. The following behaviours may indicate that gambling is becoming difficult to control:

• Spending more time or money gambling than you planned.
• Trying to win back losses by placing larger or more frequent bets.
• Thinking about gambling throughout the day or feeling restless when you cannot play.
• Hiding gambling activity, deposits, losses or account statements from family or friends.
• Borrowing money, selling possessions or using savings to gamble.
• Missing work, study, appointments or household responsibilities because of gambling.
• Arguing with people close to you about gambling or withdrawing from normal social activities.
• Feeling anxious, low, guilty, irritable or unable to sleep because of gambling.
• Continuing to gamble after deciding to stop or after setting a personal limit.
• Using gambling to escape stress, loneliness, sadness or other difficult feelings.
• Putting essential bills, repayments or household needs at risk because of gambling.
• Feeling that you must gamble more often or spend more money to experience the same excitement.

One or more of these signs does not mean that you need to manage the situation alone. Take action early. Stop gambling, use available account restrictions and talk openly with someone you trust. A doctor, counsellor, financial counsellor or specialist gambling support service can help you understand your options without judgement.

Support for family and friends

Gambling can affect partners, family members, friends and colleagues as well as the person gambling. If someone else's gambling is affecting you, you can seek support for yourself. You do not need to wait for the other person to ask for help. Consider protecting shared finances, setting clear boundaries and getting independent financial or emotional support.

It may help to choose a calm time to discuss your concerns. Focus on specific behaviours and their impact rather than blame. Do not lend money to cover gambling losses or take responsibility for controlling another person's choices. If there are shared accounts or household commitments, consider obtaining independent financial advice before making changes.

In Australia, support is available through national gambling-help services, state and territory services, community organisations, health professionals and financial counsellors. Search for an official Australian government or health service if you need advice. If gambling has contributed to immediate financial, emotional or personal danger, contact the appropriate emergency or crisis service in your area.

Gambling is for people aged 18 years and over. Do not allow anyone under 18 to access your account or use your payment method. Keep your login details private, use appropriate device security and log out when you have finished. If you believe another person has accessed your account, stop using it and raise the matter through the available account-support process.

Parents and carers can take steps to reduce the chance that children access gambling content or accounts. Use device, browser and payment controls where appropriate, keep passwords confidential and supervise shared devices. No technical measure is perfect, so active supervision and clear conversations about the risks of gambling are also important.

Fair and informed participation

Before using any gambling service, read the applicable terms, product information and account rules. Make sure you understand how wagers are placed, how outcomes are determined and how account restrictions work. Do not gamble if you do not understand the relevant information. If you have questions, use the available support channels before placing a wager.

Bally Casino supports responsible gambling by providing information intended to help players make informed choices and recognise when a break may be appropriate. Safer-gambling features and account processes may be subject to applicable rules and availability. They should be used alongside sensible personal limits and, where needed, independent professional support.

Gambling should never be used as a way to solve financial difficulty, deal with emotional distress or replace other forms of social and recreational activity. If you are experiencing financial pressure, consider speaking with a financial counsellor rather than attempting to recover money through gambling. If you are experiencing stress or low mood, a health professional may be able to provide appropriate support.

If gambling is no longer fun, take a break. You can stop playing at any time, review your account settings and seek help. Asking for support is a positive step and can help you regain control before gambling causes further harm.