Free help, any time
| Service | Contact | What it offers |
|---|---|---|
| Gambling Help Online (National Gambling Helpline) | 1800 858 858 | Free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, every day of the year, plus 24/7 chat and email counselling at gamblinghelponline.org.au |
| Lifeline | 13 11 14 | Support in a crisis. In immediate danger, call triple zero (000) |
| National Debt Helpline | 1800 007 007 | Help with financial difficulties |
| SHARC (Self Help Addiction Resource Centre) | 1300 660 068 | Support for friends and family affected by someone’s gambling or drug and alcohol use |
You do not need to be sure that you have a problem to call. A conversation costs nothing, and the people on the line have heard it before.
BetStop: the National Self-Exclusion Register
BetStop is a free Australian Government service. Registering takes about five minutes and blocks you from all licensed Australian online and phone wagering providers in a single step. Once you are registered, licensed providers cannot let you open new betting accounts or send you marketing messages.
You choose how long to exclude yourself for. The minimum is 3 months, and you can go up to a lifetime. If you change your mind, you can apply to cancel early only after at least 3 months. BetStop was launched by the ACMA in August 2023.
BetStop has a limit you should know about. It covers licensed Australian wagering, not offshore casinos. Our legal guide explains why the casinos we review sit outside that system. If you use them and want to stop, BetStop will not do it for you, so the steps below matter more.
Limits that work
Set these before you open a casino cashier, not after a bad session.
- A budget you can lose. Decide the amount in dollars, and treat it as spent the moment you deposit.
- Small deposits. Crypto deposits are quick and hard to undo. Send in small steps rather than in one large transfer.
- A time limit. Use a phone timer and stop when it rings.
- No chasing. A loss does not make the next bet more likely to win.
- Withdraw winnings. Move them out to a wallet you control instead of leaving them in the cashier.
- Never borrow to gamble. If the money is for rent, bills or debts, it is not gambling money.
Many casinos offer their own deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion. Use them if they exist, though they apply to one site only.
Warning signs
Pay attention if you notice any of these:
- You gamble for longer or with more money than you planned.
- You hide it from family or friends, or lie about it.
- You feel restless or irritable when you cut back.
- You chase losses with larger bets.
- You borrow money, sell things or ignore bills to keep playing.
- Gambling is affecting work, sleep or relationships.
If two or more sound familiar, call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858.
Supporting someone else
Living with another person’s gambling is hard. SHARC supports friends and family, and Gambling Help Online counsellors can talk to you even if the person who gambles is not ready to. The National Debt Helpline helps with the money side.
How we handle responsible gambling on this site
Every page of this site states that gambling is for adults and carries risk. We do not promise winnings, and we do not describe any bonus as risk-free. Our reviews list the weak points of every casino, from high wagering requirements to missing licences, and our scoring is published on how we rate. The affiliate disclosure explains how we earn money, and the about page tells you who we are.
Frequently asked questions
Does BetStop cover offshore crypto casinos?
No. BetStop blocks you from licensed Australian online and phone wagering providers. Offshore casinos are outside it, so if you need to stop, use the other tools on this page and call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858.
How long can I register on BetStop for?
The minimum period is 3 months, and you can choose up to a lifetime. You can apply to cancel early only after at least 3 months of self-exclusion.
