Responsible Gaming

Gamble for entertainment

Casino games involve risk, and every result is determined by chance or by the rules of the game. Past results do not predict future results, and a winning streak does not mean that another win is due. You should only gamble with money you can afford to lose after essential living costs, financial commitments and savings have been considered.

Gambling is not a reliable way to earn income, recover losses or solve financial problems. Trying to win back money that has already been lost can lead to larger losses and may make it harder to make calm decisions. Set a spending amount before you begin and treat that amount as the cost of entertainment, in the same way you might budget for a meal, a film or another leisure activity.

Practical habits for safer gambling

• Decide how much time and money you will spend before playing.
• Keep gambling money separate from money needed for rent, bills, food, transport and other essentials.
• Never borrow money, use credit intended for expenses or sell possessions to fund gambling.
• Avoid gambling when you are upset, stressed, tired, affected by alcohol or affected by other drugs.
• Take regular breaks and leave the site when your planned session ends.
• Do not chase losses or increase your bets because you feel a win is due.
• Keep track of deposits, withdrawals, time spent playing and the effect gambling has on your routine.
• Remember that games are intended for adults and should not be shared with children or other unauthorised people.

A responsible approach also means being honest with yourself. If gambling is taking more time, attention or money than you intended, pause and review your behaviour before playing again. Asking for help early is a practical step, not a failure.

Set limits and take control

Using limits can help you stay within a plan. Depending on the account features available to you, you may be able to set or request controls for deposits, spending, losses, session time or account access. Read the information shown with each control carefully, including how it starts, how long it remains active and whether it can be changed immediately.

Consider setting a personal plan

1. Choose a gambling budget for a day, week or month. The amount should be affordable even if it is completely lost.
2. Choose a maximum playing time and decide when you will stop, regardless of whether you are winning or losing.
3. Set a loss limit that you will not exceed. Do not increase it during a session.
4. Decide in advance what you will do when the budget or time limit is reached, such as closing your account and moving to another activity.
5. Review your transaction history and account activity regularly so that your actual behaviour can be compared with your plan.

Limits work best when they are realistic and followed consistently. A limit is not a guarantee that gambling will remain affordable if your financial circumstances change, so review your budget after changes to income, employment, household costs or personal commitments. If you find yourself trying to work around a limit, stop playing and consider using a longer break or self-exclusion option.

Breaks and self-exclusion

A temporary break can provide time to reflect and regain control. A longer account restriction or self-exclusion can be appropriate if you do not want to gamble for a period or believe you should stop altogether. Follow the account instructions to request the available option. Do not create another account, use another person’s account or ask someone else to place bets for you while a restriction is active.

Account controls are designed to support your decision, but they should be used alongside practical steps such as removing gambling applications, blocking promotional messages, limiting access to payment methods and telling a trusted person what you are doing. If you are concerned about immediate access to funds, speak with your bank or a qualified financial counsellor about additional safeguards.

Recognise signs of gambling harm

Gambling harm can develop gradually. It may affect finances, relationships, work, study, sleep, physical health or emotional wellbeing. You do not need to experience every sign before taking action. A concern that feels small today can become more difficult if it is ignored.

You may need to pause and seek support if you are

• Spending more money or time gambling than you planned.
• Chasing losses, increasing stakes or gambling for longer after deciding to stop.
• Thinking about gambling frequently or finding it difficult to concentrate on other activities.
• Hiding gambling, transactions or losses from family, friends or colleagues.
• Borrowing money, missing bills or using savings to continue gambling.
• Feeling restless, irritable or anxious when you try to cut back.
• Gambling to escape stress, sadness, loneliness or other difficult feelings.
• Missing work, study, appointments or social activities because of gambling.
• Arguing with people close to you about gambling or losing trust in important relationships.
• Feeling shame, hopelessness or that there is no way to recover financially.

If any of these signs apply, stop gambling and speak with someone you trust. A qualified gambling counsellor, healthcare professional or financial counsellor can help you understand what is happening and plan practical next steps. Support is available for people who gamble as well as partners, family members and friends affected by someone else’s gambling.

You can ask for help without sharing more information than you are comfortable providing. A support service can discuss your situation confidentially, explain available options and help you create a plan. If gambling has contributed to serious financial stress, do not take out further loans or make rushed decisions to recover losses. Seek independent financial advice instead.

Getting help in Australia

Australian players can seek free or low-cost support through gambling help services, community health organisations, qualified counsellors, general practitioners and financial counselling services. Search for an official gambling support service in your state or territory, or ask a healthcare professional to help you find an appropriate referral. These services can explain counselling, financial support, family support and self-exclusion options without requiring you to manage the problem alone.

If you are supporting another person, choose a calm time to talk, describe the behaviour you have noticed and avoid arguments about individual wins or losses. Encourage the person to contact a professional service. Protect your own finances by keeping personal banking access secure, avoiding covering gambling debts and obtaining independent advice before making financial arrangements.

Age and account security

Gambling is for adults only. Do not allow a person under the legal gambling age to access your account, payment method or device for gambling. Keep login details private, use available security settings and sign out on shared devices. If you believe another person has accessed your account, stop using it and follow the account security process provided by the operator.

If you are in immediate danger

If gambling has left you feeling unsafe, overwhelmed or at risk of harming yourself or another person, seek urgent assistance from emergency services or a crisis support service in Australia. Move away from gambling, stay with a trusted person if possible and tell them clearly that you need immediate help. Your safety is more important than any gambling account, balance or loss.

Powerup Casino encourages every player to make informed choices, use available account controls and ask for support early. Responsible gaming information cannot remove the risks of gambling, but understanding those risks and acting promptly can help protect your wellbeing and the people close to you.