Responsible Gaming
Gambling Is Entertainment, Not Income
Online casino gaming should always be approached as a form of entertainment — a leisure activity you pay for, much like going to a concert or dining out. It must never be viewed as a way to earn money, recover debt, or solve financial problems. The house always has an edge, and outcomes are determined by chance, not skill or strategy. If you find yourself gambling to make money rather than to have fun, we strongly encourage you to step back and reassess.
Age Verification
Gambling is strictly restricted to individuals aged 18 years or older in New Zealand for casino gaming. It is illegal for anyone under 18 to gamble at online casinos. We strongly encourage all players to verify their age honestly and to keep their account credentials secure to prevent underage access. If you share a device or household with minors, please use parental controls and log out after each session.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can develop gradually and affect anyone. If you recognise several of the following behaviours in yourself or someone you care about, it may be time to seek help:
- Chasing losses — continuing to gamble in an attempt to win back money you’ve lost
- Hiding your gambling — concealing how much time or money you spend from family and friends
- Spending more than you can afford — gambling with rent, food, or bill money
- Lying about gambling — feeling the need to deceive others about your habits
- Neglecting responsibilities — missing work, school, or family commitments to gamble
- Borrowing or selling possessions — obtaining money to gamble or repay gambling debts
- Feeling anxious, guilty, or irritable — emotional distress connected to gambling behaviour
- Being unable to stop or cut back — repeatedly trying to quit or reduce gambling without success
- Preoccupied with gambling — constantly thinking about past or future gambling sessions
Self-Help Tools
Most reputable online casinos offer practical tools to help you stay in control. We encourage you to use these features proactively:
- Deposit Limits — cap the amount you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly
- Loss Limits — set a maximum amount you are willing to lose over a set period
- Reality Checks — receive pop-up reminders showing how long you have been playing
- Time Limits — restrict the duration of your gaming sessions
- Cooling-Off Periods — temporarily suspend your account for a chosen period (e.g., 24 hours to 6 months)
- Self-Exclusion — permanently or indefinitely block access to your account across participating platforms
Support Organisations
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, free and confidential help is available. The following organisations provide professional support services:
New Zealand
- Gambling Helpline New Zealand — www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz | Free phone: 0800 654 655
- Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand (PGF Group) — www.pgf.nz
United Kingdom
- GamCare — www.gamcare.org.uk
- GamStop — www.gamstop.co.uk
Australia
- Gambling Help Online — www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
Canada
- Responsible Gambling Council — www.responsiblegambling.org
United States
- National Council on Problem Gambling — www.ncpgambling.org | Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER
Germany
- Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) — www.bzga.de
If You Have a Problem, Seek Help
Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Problem gambling is a recognised health condition, and recovery is possible with the right support. If you recognise any warning signs in yourself, or if gambling is causing harm to your life, finances, or relationships, please contact one of the organisations listed above today. In New Zealand, you can call the Gambling Helpline free on 0800 654 655 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, completely confidential.
You are not alone. Help is available, and taking that first step can change your life.