Responsible Gaming

At divineinsight.com.au, we believe that playing the pokies should always be a form of entertainment — never a way to earn money, pay off debts, or solve financial problems. Gambling involves risk, and the odds are always in favour of the house. If you choose to play, please do so responsibly: set a budget, stick to it, and never gamble more than you can afford to lose. If gambling stops being fun, it's time to stop.

Age Verification

Gambling in Australia is strictly restricted to people aged 18 years or older. It is illegal for anyone under 18 to gamble, and licensed venues and online operators are required by law to verify the age of their customers. If you share your devices with minors, consider using parental control software and never leave gambling accounts logged in.

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 time or money you spend
• Gambling with money meant for essentials like rent, bills, or groceries
• Borrowing money or selling belongings to fund gambling
• Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when you try to cut down or stop
• Gambling to escape stress, loneliness, depression, or other problems
• Neglecting work, study, or relationships because of gambling
• Being unable to stop even when you want to

If you recognise one or more of these signs, it may be time to seek support. There is no shame in asking for help.

Self-Help Tools

Most licensed gambling operators offer practical tools to help you stay in control. We encourage you to use them:

• Deposit limits — cap how much money you can add to your account daily, weekly, or monthly
• Loss limits — set a maximum amount you're willing to lose over a set period
• Reality checks — on-screen reminders of how long you've been playing and how much you've spent
• Time-outs — take a short break from gambling for 24 hours, a week, or longer
• Self-exclusion — block yourself from gambling venues or online sites for an extended period. In Australia, you can register with BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, to exclude yourself from all licensed online and phone wagering services

Support Organizations

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

• Gambling Help Online — www.gamblinghelponline.org.au — free, confidential counselling and support, available 24/7 via phone (1800 858 858), chat, and email
• BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register — www.betstop.gov.au
• Lifeline Australia — 13 11 14 — crisis support and suicide prevention

For our international readers, support is also available from:

• United Kingdom: GamCare — www.gamcare.org.uk and GamStop — www.gamstop.co.uk
• Canada: Responsible Gambling Council — www.responsiblegambling.org
• United States: National Council on Problem Gambling — www.ncpgambling.org
• Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA)

Take Action Today

If you think gambling may be becoming a problem for you or someone you love, don't wait. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. Call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au — it's free, confidential, and available around the clock. Remember: the pokies should be about fun, not financial survival. Play smart, set limits, and know when to walk away.

Last updated: 2026 — divineinsight.com.au