Responsible gambling

The tools, and using them before you need them

The tools you can set. VegasNow gives you a set of controls that let you decide the shape of your own play rather than leaving it to chance. You can set deposit limits on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, so no more than a set amount can ever go in. You can set loss limits and wager limits that cap what you can lose or stake over a period. You can turn on session reminders that tell you how long you have been playing, take a short cooling-off period or time-out lasting anywhere from a day to a few weeks, or choose self-exclusion for months at a time or permanently. Together these let you build guardrails that fit your own budget and your own habits.Set them before you need them. The single most useful habit is to set your limits when you open your account, while you are thinking clearly about your budget — not in the middle of a session when emotions are running high. There is one deliberate piece of friction built into how these tools work: tightening a limit takes effect immediately, but relaxing one takes time to come into force. That is by design. It means a limit cannot be loosened on impulse during a bad run, which is exactly the moment the restriction is doing its job. Treat the limits as a decision made by the calm version of yourself, there to protect the version who might be tempted to chase a loss.

BetStop, warning signs and where to get help

BetStop: Australia's national register. If you want to step away more completely, Australia has a national self-exclusion register called BetStop. Registering excludes you from every licensed Australian operator in a single step, rather than having to contact each one separately. It is free, confidential and independent, and you can choose an exclusion period that suits you. For many people it is the most effective single action available, because it removes the option to play across the board rather than relying on willpower site by site.Warning signs worth watching for. Gambling has stopped being entertainment when it starts to cost you more than money. Some signs to be honest with yourself about: chasing losses by betting more to win back what you have lost; gambling with money you cannot afford to lose; borrowing money or selling things to keep playing; lying to the people around you about how much you gamble, or hiding it altogether; and feeling anxious, irritable or low when you are not playing. None of these makes you a bad person — they are signals that it is worth pausing and reaching out for support sooner rather than later.Where to get help. If any of that sounds familiar, free and confidential help is available right now. Gambling Help Online offers support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 858 858 and at gamblinghelponline.org.au. If you are struggling and need someone to talk to, Lifeline is available on 13 11 14. You must be 18 or over to open an account or play at VegasNow. Gambling is entertainment, and the people who enjoy it most are the ones who treat it exactly that way — never as a way to make money.