Responsible Gaming

Gamble for entertainment

Gambling involves chance, and every game or wager carries a risk of losing money. There is no guaranteed strategy, system or result. Previous outcomes do not determine future outcomes, and a winning streak does not mean that another win is due. Treat each wager as a separate entertainment choice and only play with money you can comfortably afford to lose.

A responsible approach starts before you open a game. Decide how much time and money you are prepared to spend, then make a plan to keep within those boundaries. Do not increase your budget because you feel confident, frustrated or close to a win. If gambling stops feeling enjoyable or starts affecting other parts of your life, take a break and consider seeking support.

Before you play

• Set a spending limit based on your personal budget, not on the amount you hope to win.
• Set a time limit and decide when you will stop, whether you win or lose.
• Make sure essential costs, including housing, food, bills and existing commitments, are covered first.
• Avoid gambling when you are upset, tired, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or trying to escape a problem.
• Remember that gambling is not a reliable source of income and should not be used to repay debts.
• Never gamble with money that belongs to someone else or money needed for important expenses.

Set and maintain practical limits

Limits can help you stay aware of your gambling and make decisions before emotions influence your behaviour. Depending on the services and controls available to your account, you may be able to request or apply limits relating to deposits, spending, session time or account access. Read the relevant information carefully and choose limits that reflect your real budget.

A limit is most useful when it is set in advance and respected consistently. Do not treat a limit as a target that must be used. If you reach a limit, stop gambling rather than looking for another way to continue. Some changes may not take effect immediately, and certain restrictions may operate for a set period. Check the applicable account information before relying on a particular control.

Ways to keep control

1. Create a separate entertainment budget and keep it apart from money needed for everyday living.
2. Use account history, transaction information or personal records to review how much time and money you are spending.
3. Take regular breaks and avoid long, uninterrupted sessions.
4. Do not increase stakes to recover a loss or continue playing after reaching your planned stopping point.
5. Keep gambling private from no one who needs to know about its effect on your budget or wellbeing; speaking with someone you trust can provide useful perspective.
6. If you cannot maintain your limits, stop using the service and ask about stronger account restrictions or self-exclusion options.

You can also use practical barriers outside an account, such as removing saved payment methods, avoiding gambling-related advertising, blocking access to gambling websites where suitable, or asking a trusted person to help you manage your budget. These steps are not a substitute for professional advice, but they can make it easier to pause and reconsider.

Recognise signs of gambling harm

Gambling harm can affect finances, relationships, work, study, physical health and emotional wellbeing. It may develop gradually, and a person does not need to gamble every day to experience difficulties. Notice changes in your behaviour and take them seriously, even if you have not yet experienced a major loss.

Possible warning signs

• Spending more time or money gambling than you intended.
• Trying to win back money after a loss, often described as chasing losses.
• Increasing the amount of a wager to feel the same excitement.
• Feeling restless, irritable or anxious when trying to reduce or stop gambling.
• Thinking about gambling frequently or finding it difficult to concentrate on other activities.
• Hiding gambling activity, losses or account information from family, friends or colleagues.
• Borrowing money, selling possessions or missing bills to continue gambling.
• Using credit, taking out loans or delaying essential payments because of gambling.
• Arguing with people close to you because of gambling or withdrawing from normal activities.
• Feeling guilt, shame, stress, low mood or hopelessness after gambling.

One warning sign may be enough to justify a pause. Several signs may indicate that additional support would be helpful. Do not wait until a situation becomes severe. Make a clear decision to stop, apply account restrictions where available and talk with someone you trust or a qualified support service.

If gambling is contributing to thoughts of self-harm, immediate danger or a mental health crisis, seek urgent help through appropriate emergency or crisis services in your area. Your safety comes first, and gambling activity should stop while you obtain support.

Taking a break or self-excluding

A temporary break can be useful when you want time away from gambling, while self-exclusion is a stronger step for people who want to prevent access for a chosen period or longer. If you decide that stopping is the right choice, act promptly rather than waiting for a future date or another loss.

Before requesting a break or self-exclusion, review any open activity and read the applicable terms explaining how the restriction works. A restriction may apply to an account, a product or a particular service, so make sure you understand its scope. Do not create another account or use another person’s account to avoid a restriction. Ask the relevant support team about available options if you are unsure.

Steps that may help

1. Stop playing and remove easy access to gambling services.
2. Request a temporary break, longer restriction or self-exclusion through the available account process.
3. Tell a trusted person what you have decided so they can support your plan.
4. Review your finances and prioritise essential bills, debts and other commitments.
5. Contact a qualified gambling counsellor or a support service available in your state or territory.
6. Avoid replacing online gambling with another form of gambling that creates the same concerns.
7. Return to gambling only if it is lawful, suitable for your circumstances and consistent with the limits you can genuinely maintain.

A break or self-exclusion is a personal safety measure, not a punishment. You can ask for help to understand the available controls, but you are responsible for making an honest assessment of whether gambling is appropriate for you. Account restrictions may not prevent access to every gambling provider or service, so consider broader support and blocking tools as well.

Support for you and others

You do not have to manage gambling concerns alone. Speaking early with a trusted family member, friend, doctor, counsellor, financial counsellor or gambling support service can help you understand what is happening and choose practical next steps. Support is available for people who gamble and for people affected by someone else’s gambling.

Australian support options can vary by state and territory. Look for an appropriate gambling help service in your area through trusted government, health or community organisations. These services may provide confidential information, counselling, financial guidance and support for family members. If you prefer not to speak with someone you know, consider using an independent support service or a professional adviser.

How Royal Casino can help

• Read the responsible gaming information before opening an account or placing a wager.
• Use the account controls and limits made available to you.
• Contact the relevant support channel shown on the Royal Casino website if you need help understanding a restriction or account option.
• Ask for a break or self-exclusion if gambling is becoming difficult to control.
• Provide accurate information when completing age, identity or account checks.
• Respect all restrictions and do not attempt to bypass them.

Royal Casino expects gambling to be undertaken only by people who are legally permitted to do so in their location. If you are under the applicable legal age, do not create an account, use another person’s account or attempt to gamble. Parents and guardians should use suitable device, payment and account controls to reduce the risk of underage access.

Responsible gambling is an ongoing process. Review your habits regularly, be honest about the effect gambling has on your life and take action as soon as something no longer feels manageable. Setting limits, taking breaks and asking for help are practical signs of control, not failure.