Take a proper break
Step away from gambling and choose something enjoyable that does not involve stakes or rewards.
Need support now? Casino-Mate responsible gambling guidance can help you recognise risks, set boundaries and find support. Find support ↗ General information only; not medical or financial advice.
On this page
Wellbeing
Put your wellbeing first
Gambling can affect your finances and emotional health. You can seek help before things reach a crisis point.
Keep essentials separate
Keep money for housing, food, bills and savings out of any gambling budget.
Reach out to someone
Support can help whether you need advice, a break or guidance for someone close to you.
Potential harms
Know the risks
- Gambling is not a reliable way to earn money.
- Trying to win back losses can lead to spending more.
- Borrowing, hiding gambling or using essential funds are signs to stop and reassess.
- Promotions can have conditions and do not remove the financial risks of gambling.
Australian players should check the rules that apply to online gambling services. Read Australian consumer guidance.
Spending boundaries
Protect your money and essentials
Set a boundary in advance
If using a lawful service, check what deposit or loss controls are available. A limit is a safeguard, not a spending goal.
- Keep essential costs covered and do not borrow to gamble.
- Find out when a requested limit change takes effect.
- Check whether a control applies to deposits, losses or both.
- If sticking to a boundary feels hard, take a break and seek independent support.
Time away
Manage time and take breaks
- 01
Choose a stopping point
Decide when to stop before you begin, and set a reminder away from the gambling service.
- 02
Make time away count
Close the service, switch off gambling notifications and move on to another activity.
- 03
Check in with yourself
Notice any changes to your sleep, work, relationships or thoughts about gambling.
- 04
Talk it through
If you keep extending a session or struggle to stop, contact a support service.
Taking control
Self-exclusion and blocking access
Self-exclusion can help put distance between you and a gambling service. Check exactly what it covers and how it works; one request may not block every site.
| Approach | What to check |
|---|---|
| Account self-exclusion | Ask about the process, duration, accounts covered and restrictions on reopening. |
| National register | Check the register’s published scope and eligibility before relying on it to block access. |
| Device or payment blocks | Ask your device or financial provider what blocking controls are available and what they cover. |
Check the official information for any national self-exclusion register before registering. Register information.
Warning signs
Notice when gambling is causing concern
Trying to recover losses
Increasing stakes or playing longer in an attempt to win money back.
Financial strain
Borrowing, missed bills or difficulty keeping essential spending separate.
Everyday changes
Poor sleep, secrecy, conflict or gambling taking priority over work and relationships.
These signs may be a reason to seek support; this information cannot assess or diagnose your situation. Support resources Find information and tools to help you decide what to do next.
Where to get help
Find independent support in Australia
Confidential support
Look for counselling and gambling support services available in your area.
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National register
Learn about the national self-exclusion register for licensed online and phone wagering.
Claim Bonus
Where to get help
Check official Australian government sources for national and state support options.
Play NowSupport is also available if another person’s gambling affects you. A service can help you consider boundaries and your own wellbeing.
A next step
Choose one useful action
Speak with a counsellor
Find a confidential support service and ask about counselling options.
Find counselling →Make room for a break
Close gambling services, pause related notifications and choose an activity away from gambling. Support can help you plan what comes next.
Plan a break →Check what exclusion covers
Read the register’s official scope and registration information before relying on it.
Review exclusion details →Get support for yourself
You can seek help when another person’s gambling affects your wellbeing, relationships or finances.
Find personal support →Common questions
Casino-Mate responsible gambling FAQs
When should I seek help with gambling?
You can reach out at any time, including before gambling becomes a crisis. Consider support if you are worried about your spending or time.
Do Casino-Mate deposit limits prevent all harm?
Casino-Mate’s published information does not state whether deposit limits are available. Limits, where offered, have specific coverage and are only one part of staying safer; consider a break and independent support if boundaries are difficult to keep.
Does self-exclusion cover every gambling site?
Coverage depends on the register or service. Check its official scope before relying on it to block access to a particular site.
Can I seek help because of a family member’s gambling?
Yes. Look for a support service that assists people affected by someone else’s gambling, including family and friends.
More information
Related information
Casino-Mate responsible gambling: practical guidance for Australian players
What Casino-Mate safer gambling involves
Gambling is for entertainment, not a way to make money or manage financial stress. Set boundaries before playing, and stop if gambling starts affecting your finances, mood, relationships or daily responsibilities.
Casino-Mate lists games that can be played free or for real money, with 20 titles shown. Free play avoids wagering money, but it is still worth noticing how much time you spend. The published information does not say which responsible gambling tools are available, so check the official site or your account rather than assuming a particular feature exists.
Casino-Mate states a minimum age of 18. If you are in Australia, make sure you meet this requirement and any other rules that apply to you before using a gambling service.
Casino-Mate deposit limits and personal boundaries
Casino-Mate’s published information does not state whether deposit limits can be set through an account. Do not assume this feature is available; check directly through the official site before depositing, and avoid adding funds until you understand the controls on offer.
You can set your own spending boundary before playing. Decide what you can afford to lose, keep gambling funds separate from essentials and stop when you reach your limit. Do not borrow, use money needed for necessities or chase losses with further deposits. A budget is a boundary, not a target.
Recognise when it is time to pause
It can be difficult to notice a change in your habits while caught up in play. Warning signs include spending more time or money than planned, hiding gambling, feeling anxious or irritable when you stop, or trying to recover losses. These are reasons to pause and reflect, not something to ignore or feel ashamed about.
Before playing, decide when you will stop and make that easier to follow: set an alarm, take breaks and avoid gambling when upset, tired or affected by alcohol or other substances. If you keep moving your own boundaries, step away and speak with someone you trust.
Casino-Mate self exclusion and taking a break
Casino-Mate’s published information does not confirm whether self-exclusion, cooling-off periods or account time-outs are available. If you want to stop or restrict access, ask through the official site what options exist and how they work. Wait for confirmation before treating any option as active.
You can also create distance outside your account: log out, remove saved access details and ask someone you trust to help you stick to your decision. If gambling feels hard to control, consider blocking access and getting support rather than managing it alone. Self-exclusion is a protective step, not a punishment.
Finding help in Australia
If gambling is causing harm, speak with someone you trust and contact a gambling support service in your area. A qualified service can discuss confidential support and options suited to your circumstances; you do not need to wait for money problems to become severe. If you are in immediate danger or distress, contact emergency services.
Casino-Mate’s published information does not name support organisations or provide support contact details. Find current information through official Australian government or local health-service sources, and check that a service suits your location. Support may also be available for family and friends affected by someone’s gambling.
A simple plan can make the next step feel more manageable: pause gambling, tell someone you trust and arrange to speak with a support service. Keep essential bills and savings separate from gambling funds, and ask for help managing access to money if that would help you stick to your decision.
