Understanding the Risk
What is problem gambling?
Problem gambling — sometimes called gambling disorder or compulsive gambling — is a condition where gambling behaviour causes significant harm to a person's life. That harm can be financial, emotional, social, or a combination of all three. It exists on a spectrum, from mild to severe.
It is not a moral failing or a lack of willpower. Problem gambling is a recognised psychological condition with established causes and evidence-based treatments. People develop it for many reasons — stress, mental health conditions, early exposure to gambling, or simply the way certain games interact with the brain's reward system.
Recognising the signs early makes a real difference to outcomes. The sooner the pattern is identified, the more options are available and the easier recovery tends to be.
Warning Signs
Chasing losses
Continuing to play — or increasing your bets — to recover money you have already lost. This is one of the most reliable indicators that gambling has stopped being entertainment.
Spending beyond your means
Regularly depositing more than you budgeted, borrowing money to fund gambling, or using funds set aside for bills, rent, or food.
Hiding your gambling
Being secretive about how much time or money you spend gambling, or lying to friends and family when they ask.
Gambling to escape
Using gambling to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, boredom, or problems in your personal life rather than as a form of entertainment.
Inability to stop
Feeling unable to walk away even when you intended to, or returning to play almost immediately after finishing a session.
Neglecting responsibilities
Missing work, neglecting family, or withdrawing from social activities because of time or money spent on gambling.
Mood changes around gambling
Feeling irritable, anxious, or restless when not gambling. Feeling guilty or ashamed after sessions but continuing anyway.
Increasing stakes over time
Needing to bet larger amounts to feel the same excitement — a pattern similar to tolerance seen in other addictive behaviours.
Player Protection Tools
Eight tools you can use right now
All tools are available in your account settings under Responsible Gaming. No waiting period, no forms — most take effect immediately.
Deposit limits
Set a daily, weekly, or monthly cap on how much you can deposit. Once set, limits can only be decreased immediately — increases require a 24-hour cooling period to take effect.
Account Settings → Responsible Gaming → Deposit Limits
Session time limits
Set a maximum duration for each gaming session. When your time is up, you receive a notification and the session ends. Helps break the pattern of extended play.
Account Settings → Responsible Gaming → Session Limits
Loss limits
Cap how much you can lose in a given period. If your net losses reach the threshold you set, you are prevented from placing further bets until the period resets.
Account Settings → Responsible Gaming → Loss Limits
Reality check
Periodic on-screen reminders showing how long you have been playing and how much you have wagered during the current session. Triggered at intervals you define.
Account Settings → Responsible Gaming → Reality Checks
Cooling-off period
Take a short break from the platform — 24 hours, 48 hours, or up to 30 days. During a cooling-off period your account remains open but you cannot deposit or play.
Account Settings → Responsible Gaming → Take a Break
Self-exclusion
Voluntarily close your account for a fixed period (3 months, 6 months, 1 year) or permanently. Once activated, self-exclusion cannot be reversed during the exclusion window.
Account Settings → Responsible Gaming → Self-Exclusion
Account activity history
View a full record of your deposits, withdrawals, bets placed, and session durations over any time period. Useful for understanding your actual gambling patterns objectively.
Account Settings → Transaction History
Wager limits
Set a maximum single-bet amount to prevent impulsive large bets. Applies across all games on the platform and resets only when you actively change the setting.
Account Settings → Responsible Gaming → Wager Limits
Healthy Habits
Staying in control — eight practical guidelines
Treat it as entertainment, not income
The house edge is real and permanent. Every game on every platform is designed so that over a large number of bets, the casino wins. Budget what you are willing to spend on entertainment — and accept that you may lose it.
Set your limits before you start
Decide on a maximum amount and a maximum time before you open the platform. Make those decisions when you are calm and clear-headed, not mid-session when emotions are running.
Never chase a loss
Increasing your bets to recover a loss does not change the odds — it only increases what you stand to lose. The next spin does not know or care what the previous one paid out.
Take regular breaks
Step away after an hour. Get up, make a drink, go outside for five minutes. Physical breaks interrupt the psychological momentum that extended sessions build.
Keep gambling separate from alcohol
Alcohol impairs judgment and lowers inhibitions around risk. Playing under the influence is one of the most reliable ways to breach the budget you set for yourself.
Balance gambling with other activities
If gambling is the primary leisure activity in your life, that imbalance creates conditions for dependency. Invest time in activities that are unrelated to gambling.
Be honest with yourself
Rationalising unusual behaviour — 'I just need one more session to get back', 'I can stop whenever I want' — is a warning sign, not a reassurance.
Talk to someone you trust
If you are concerned about your gambling, telling someone you trust is one of the most effective first steps. You do not have to have a fully formed plan — just the conversation.
Self-Exclusion
When you need a harder stop
Self-exclusion is a formal commitment to stop gambling for a defined period. Unlike a simple account suspension, it is designed to be difficult to reverse — because its purpose is to remove the option to gamble when willpower alone is not enough.
Once activated, your account is locked. You cannot deposit, play, or claim bonuses for the duration of the exclusion. Any marketing communications are stopped immediately.
If you need to discuss self-exclusion or are unsure which option is right for your situation, our support team is available 24/7 and will handle the conversation with care and without judgement.
3 months
Short-term break. Suitable if you want to reset habits without closing the door permanently.
6 months
Medium-term exclusion. Enough time for meaningful change and support if needed.
1 year
Long-term exclusion. Recommended if gambling has caused financial or personal harm.
Permanent
Irreversible closure. The account cannot be reopened under any circumstances.
Support Organisations
Free, confidential help is available now
You do not need to have hit rock bottom to reach out. Any of the organisations below will speak with you wherever you are in the process.
Gambling Help Online
Australia — National
Australia's primary gambling helpline. Free, confidential counselling for anyone affected by gambling — including family members and friends.
1800 858 858
gamblinghelponline.org.au
24/7 phone & online chat
Gamblers Anonymous Australia
Australia — Peer Support
Peer-led support groups following the 12-step recovery model. Face-to-face and online meetings available across all states and territories.
Online Support Only
gaaustralia.org.au
Meetings nationwide
Lifeline Australia
Australia — Crisis Support
Crisis support for Australians in distress. Trained crisis supporters available around the clock by phone, online chat, and text.
13 11 14
lifeline.org.au
24/7 phone, chat & text
Beyond Blue
Australia — Mental Health
Support for anxiety, depression, and mental health issues — including those related to gambling problems. Free and confidential.
1300 22 4636
beyondblue.org.au
24/7 phone & online chat
MindSpot
Australia
Free online mental health clinics for Australians experiencing anxiety, depression, or stress. Includes structured treatment courses.
1800 614 434
mindspot.org.au
Mon–Fri, 8am–8pm AEST
National Debt Helpline
Australia — Financial
Free financial counselling for Australians struggling with debt. If gambling has affected your finances, a counsellor can help you plan a way forward.
1800 007 007
ndh.org.au
Mon–Fri, 9:30am–4:30pm
Our Commitment
How The Pokies Net supports responsible play
Responsible gambling is not a compliance checkbox for us. The platform cannot function long-term if players are being harmed by it. That is a business reality as much as it is an ethical one.
We train support staff to recognise indicators of problem gambling and to respond appropriately — including proactively contacting players whose behaviour patterns suggest emerging risk, even when they have not requested help.
Our licence requires us to maintain these standards, and we hold ourselves to them regardless. If we ever fall short, we want to know — contact us directly at any time.
The Pokies Net is strictly an 18+ platform
Age verification is mandatory for all withdrawals.
Advertising is never directed at minors.
Accounts suspected of being used by persons under 18 are closed immediately.
If you believe a minor has accessed this platform, contact us immediately.