Responsible Gaming

Gambling Should Be Entertainment

At btna.com.au, we believe gambling should always be a form of entertainment — never a way to earn money, pay bills, or escape from problems. Pokies and other casino games are designed with a house edge, which means the operator always has an advantage over time. Never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose, and never treat gambling as an investment or income strategy.

Set a budget before you play, stick to it, and treat any winnings as a bonus — not an expectation. If gambling stops being fun, it's time to stop.

Age Verification

In Australia, you must be 18 years of age or older to legally gamble. This applies to pokies, casinos, lotteries, and all forms of wagering. Licensed venues and operators are required by law to verify the age of their customers.

If you share a device with minors, we strongly recommend:

• Using parental control software to block gambling websites
• Never leaving gambling accounts logged in or payment details saved
• Keeping passwords secure and not sharing them with anyone under 18

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
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or going into debt to fund gambling
• Gambling with money meant for rent, bills, groceries, or other essentials
• Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to cut down or stop
• Gambling to escape stress, loneliness, depression, or other problems
• Neglecting work, study, or relationships because of gambling
• Spending more time or money on gambling than you intended
• Feeling guilt, shame, or regret after gambling sessions

If you answered "yes" to even one of these, it may be time to seek support. Recognising the signs early is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Self-Help Tools

All licensed gambling operators in Australia offer tools to help you stay in control. We encourage you to use them proactively:

• Deposit Limits: Set a maximum amount you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Loss Limits: Cap the total amount you can lose within a set period.
• Reality Checks: Enable on-screen reminders showing how long you've been playing and how much you've spent.
• Time-Outs: Take a short break from gambling, from 24 hours to several weeks.
• Self-Exclusion: Voluntarily ban yourself from venues or online operators 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 Australian online and phone wagering services in a single step.
• Pre-Commitment Schemes: Many pokies venues in Australia offer voluntary pre-commitment, letting you set spending and time limits before you play.

Support Organizations

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

• Gambling Help Online — Free, confidential counselling and support for anyone affected by gambling, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au or call 1800 858 858.
• BetStop – National Self-Exclusion Register — Exclude yourself from all licensed Australian interactive wagering services. Visit www.betstop.gov.au.
• Gamblers Anonymous Australia — Peer support groups for people recovering from gambling addiction. Visit www.gaaustralia.org.au.
• Lifeline Australia — Crisis support and suicide prevention, available 24/7. Call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au.
• National Debt Helpline — Free financial counselling if gambling has affected your finances. Call 1800 007 007.

If You Have a Problem, Seek Help

If gambling is no longer fun, or if it's causing harm to you or the people around you, please reach out today. Help is free, confidential, and available right now. Call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 — trained counsellors are ready to listen without judgement, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Remember: asking for help is the strongest bet you can make. Gamble responsibly — and know when to stop.