Responsible Gambling

Responsible gambling is about staying in control and keeping things balanced. The main idea is gambling should be a form of entertainment! At 777pokies, we support safe play by offering practical tools, clear guidance, and access to trusted support resources for Australian players.

Important note: if gambling starts to feel overwhelming, stops being fun, or creates tension around money or emotions, that’s a sign to take a step back, means pausing, setting limits, or asking for help.

What is Responsible Gambling

In other words responsible gambling means being honest with yourself and keeping your play within comfortable limits. It’s about enjoying the experience, and definitely not trying to win back losses or solve financial problems.

Playing responsible, you play for fun, spending only money you won’t miss, knowing when it’s time to stop, and taking regular breaks so gambling doesn’t take over other parts of your life (work, family, friends, etc.). It also means noticing when things start to feel off, whether for you or for someone close to you.

Signs of Gambling Addiction

Common signs of problematic gambling can include spending more time or money than you planned (I wanted to play for an hour, but realised that I am playing for a several hours, and it happens often), trying to win back losses, feeling tense or restless when you’re not gambling, or keeping your play secret from people close to you. Sometimes it also shows up as borrowing money, using credit, or pulling attention away from work, studies, or relationships.

7 Tips for Safe Gambling

The following simple habits can help keep gambling enjoyable and under control. 

1. Set a budget before you start. 

Decide in advance how much you’re comfortable spending. Treat it like the cost of entertainment and stick to it, even if the session doesn’t go as planned.

2. Keep an eye on time 

It’s easy to lose track of hours while playing. Simple reminders or session limits can help you stop before play becomes longer than you intended.

3. Don’t chase losses

Trying to win it back often leads to more frustration and bigger losses.

4. Play for enjoyment, not income 

Gambling should be fun, not a way to make money or solve financial issues.

5. Take regular breaks

Stepping away helps clear your head and keeps emotions in check.

6. Avoid playing when emotions run high

Stress, anger, or sadness can cloud judgement and lead to impulsive decisions.

7. Keep balance in your life

Make time for friends, hobbies, rest, and everything else that matters.

Self-Exclusion Tools

Self-exclusion allows you to block access to gambling platforms for a period you choose, whether that’s a short break or a long-term decision. In Australia, BetStop (the National Self-Exclusion Register) lets you exclude yourself from all licensed online wagering services at once. After registration, these services must block account access and stop sending gambling-related marketing. Self-exclusion is private.

Blocking Software Options

Blocking software are tools that restrict access to gambling websites and apps across your devices. Popular options include:

• Gamban, which blocks thousands of gambling sites worldwide, 
• BetBlocker, a free tool with flexible blocking periods, 
• parental control software like Net Nanny, which can also help protect households.

These tools are useful if you’re taking a break from gambling, recovering from problem play, or simply want clearer boundaries around when and how you play.

Australian Help Resources

Professional, confidential support is available across Australia for players and for the people close to them.

The services are free and confidential.

Protecting Minors Online

Gambling is for adults only, and keeping children away from gambling content is an important part of responsible play. Please, create clear boundaries at home. Never share gambling accounts or devices, use parental control on phones and computers, store payment details securely, and talk openly with children about online risks and advertising.

Financial Limits & Bank Blocks

Many Australian banks (for example, Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, NAB, Westpac) now offer tools that help you control gambling spending directly through your bank account. Depending on the bank, such features may include blocking card and online gambling payments, built-in cooling-off periods before a block can be removed, and spending alerts that help you keep track of transactions.