Responsible Gaming

Gamble for entertainment, not income

Gambling involves risk, and there is no guaranteed outcome. Every wager can result in a loss, even when a game appears familiar or a previous result seems to suggest what may happen next. Random outcomes are not affected by personal beliefs, patterns, luck or the amount already spent. Keeping this in mind can help you make decisions based on realistic expectations.

Before playing, decide whether gambling is an affordable leisure expense. Use only money that is available after essential costs such as housing, food, bills, transport, education and other financial commitments have been covered. Never use money set aside for these needs, and avoid gambling with borrowed funds, credit intended for necessities or money belonging to another person.

A responsible approach also includes deciding when to stop. Set a time limit before you begin and take regular breaks. Do not play when you are affected by alcohol, medication or other substances, and avoid gambling when you are upset, tired, angry or under pressure. Strong emotions can make it harder to assess risk and can encourage decisions that you would not normally make.

• Set a gambling budget and treat it as an entertainment cost.
• Decide how long you will play before starting.
• Keep gambling separate from essential household spending.
• Expect to lose the money you choose to wager.
• Take breaks and spend time on other activities.
• Do not gamble to recover previous losses or improve your mood.

Tools to help you stay in control

Planning in advance is one of the simplest ways to keep gambling within comfortable limits. If account controls are available, use them before you start playing or as soon as you notice your spending or playing time increasing. Depending on the service and applicable requirements, available controls may include deposit limits, loss or spend limits, time reminders, account breaks, temporary closures or self-exclusion.

Set limits before you play

Choose a limit that reflects your real budget rather than an amount you hope to win. Consider setting daily, weekly or monthly boundaries, and record the limits so they are easy to remember. A limit should never be increased simply because you have lost money or because you believe a win is due. If changing a limit is permitted, consider whether a cooling-off period applies before a higher limit can take effect.

Use breaks and time reminders

Long sessions can make it easy to lose track of time and spending. Use reminders to pause, check your budget and decide whether you still want to continue. Step away from the device, have some water, eat if needed and return only if gambling remains an affordable and enjoyable choice. A temporary account break can provide additional space to reflect without making a permanent decision.

Consider self-exclusion

Self-exclusion is a stronger restriction for people who want to stop gambling for a set period or indefinitely. If you choose self-exclusion, follow the relevant process carefully and do not create another account or try to bypass the restriction. Self-exclusion may apply only to the service where it is requested, so you may also need to consider other gambling services and seek independent support.

Account controls are useful tools, but they cannot replace personal judgement or professional assistance. If you are regularly trying to avoid your own limits, hiding gambling from people close to you or returning after deciding to stop, treat this as a reason to seek support rather than simply changing your settings.

Recognising when gambling may be harmful

Gambling-related harm can develop gradually. It does not depend only on the amount of money spent. The frequency of gambling, the effect on your thoughts and emotions, and the impact on relationships, work and daily responsibilities are also important. Anyone can experience difficulties, regardless of age, income, background or previous gambling history.

Consider taking a break and seeking support if any of the following statements apply to you:

• You spend more time or money gambling than you planned.
• You keep thinking about gambling when you should be working, studying, sleeping or spending time with others.
• You chase losses by placing further wagers to try to win back money.
• You increase the size or frequency of your bets to achieve the same excitement.
• You feel restless, irritable or uncomfortable when you try to stop.
• You borrow money, sell possessions or miss important payments because of gambling.
• You hide your gambling, losses or account activity from family, friends or colleagues.
• Gambling causes arguments, relationship problems, poor performance or missed responsibilities.
• You gamble to escape stress, sadness, loneliness, anxiety or other difficult feelings.
• You have tried to reduce or stop gambling but have not been able to do so.
• You feel regret, shame or distress after gambling but continue to play.
• You believe that a big win is necessary to fix your financial situation.

One warning sign does not mean that you must manage the situation alone. It is a good reason to pause, review your behaviour and talk with someone you trust or a qualified support professional. Early support can make it easier to regain control.

What to do if you are concerned

If gambling is becoming difficult to manage, stop playing and remove immediate access where possible. Sign out of your account, apply an available break or self-exclusion option, and avoid opening other gambling accounts. Do not try to solve gambling losses by gambling again. Chasing losses usually increases financial pressure and can make the situation harder to manage.

Tell a trusted person what is happening. This may be a partner, family member, friend, doctor, counsellor or financial counsellor. Sharing the problem can reduce secrecy and create practical support, such as help with budgeting, managing payments or taking a break from gambling. If speaking in person feels difficult, consider using a professional service that provides confidential advice for people affected by gambling.

Australian players can seek assistance from appropriate gambling-harm support services, health professionals and financial counselling services available in their state or territory. These services can help with practical planning, emotional support, relationship concerns and referral to further care. You do not need to wait until a problem becomes severe before asking for help.

If gambling has created debt or missed payments, list your essential commitments first and avoid taking new loans to cover gambling losses. A qualified financial counsellor can help you understand your options without judging you. Keep records of relevant transactions and be open about the full situation so the advice you receive is suitable.

If you feel overwhelmed, unsafe or at risk of harming yourself or another person, stop gambling and seek urgent help from emergency services or a qualified health professional in Australia. Gambling concerns can affect mental health, and immediate safety should always take priority over account or financial matters.

Protecting young people and other account users

Only people who meet the applicable legal age and other eligibility requirements may use gambling services. Young people should not be permitted to access an account, view saved payment methods or use a device while an account is active. Adults are responsible for keeping their login details, devices and payment information secure.

• Keep your username, password and verification information private.
• Use a strong password and do not reuse it for other services.
• Log out when you finish, particularly on shared devices.
• Use device, browser or network controls to restrict access where appropriate.
• Do not allow another person to play through your account.
• Monitor account activity and payment notifications for anything unexpected.
• Contact the relevant support channel through the service if you believe your account has been accessed by someone else.

If another person uses your account, gambling activity may continue without your knowledge and your chosen limits may not provide the protection you expect. Taking practical security steps can reduce this risk. Where available, additional device or family controls may also help prevent children and other household members from accessing gambling content.

A balanced approach matters

Responsible gambling is about more than setting a financial limit. It includes understanding that outcomes are uncertain, making decisions without pressure, protecting your account, and recognising when a break is needed. Novajackpot Casino encourages players to use available safety tools, review their habits regularly and seek independent assistance whenever gambling stops feeling manageable or enjoyable.