Responsible Gaming

Gambling Should Be Entertainment — Not a Way to Earn Money

At croftersfold.com.au, we believe that playing the pokies and other forms of gambling should always be a fun, recreational activity — never a source of income, a way to escape problems, or a solution to financial difficulty. The odds always favour the house, and over time, gambling costs money. If you choose to gamble, please do so responsibly: set a budget before you play, only gamble with money you can afford to lose, and treat any winnings as a bonus rather than an expectation.

If gambling stops being fun, it's time to stop.

Age Verification

In Australia, you must be 18 years of age or older to gamble, including playing pokies, betting online, or entering a casino or licensed venue. All operators we reference on this site are required to verify the age and identity of their customers.

• Never gamble if you are under 18 years of age.
• Parents and guardians: use parental control software (such as Family Zone or Net Nanny) and keep gambling account details, passwords, and payment cards secure and out of reach of minors.
• If a minor in your care has accessed a gambling site, contact the operator immediately and seek advice from one of the support services listed below.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can affect anyone. Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you or someone you care about:

• Chasing losses — gambling more to try to win back money you've lost
• Gambling with money set aside for essentials like rent, bills, or groceries
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or going into debt to fund gambling
• Hiding your gambling from family or friends, or lying about how much time or money you spend
• Feeling anxious, guilty, depressed, or irritable about your gambling
• Gambling to escape stress, loneliness, or other problems
• Needing to bet larger amounts to get the same feeling of excitement
• Trying unsuccessfully to cut down or stop gambling
• Neglecting work, study, relationships, or responsibilities because of gambling
• Thinking about gambling constantly, even when you're not playing

If you answered "yes" to one or more of these, it may be time to talk to someone. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Self-Help Tools

Licensed Australian gambling operators offer a range of tools to help you stay in control. We strongly encourage you to use them:

• Deposit limits — set a maximum amount you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Loss limits — cap how much you can lose over a set period.
• Reality checks — receive on-screen reminders of how long you've been playing and how much you've spent.
• Time-outs — take a short break from gambling, from 24 hours to several weeks.
• Self-exclusion — block yourself from gambling venues or online operators for a longer period. In Australia, you can register with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register (www.betstop.gov.au) to exclude yourself from all licensed online and phone wagering services at once.

Support Organizations

Free, confidential help is available 24/7 across Australia:

• Gambling Help Online — free, confidential support via chat, email, and phone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au or call 1800 858 858.
• Gamblers Anonymous Australia — peer support groups across the country. Visit www.gamblersanonymous.org.au.
• BetStop – National Self-Exclusion Register — www.betstop.gov.au.
• Lifeline Australia — crisis support and suicide prevention, call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au.
• Beyond Blue — support for anxiety and depression, call 1300 22 4636 or visit www.beyondblue.org.au.

Help is also available for family members and friends affected by someone else's gambling — you don't have to deal with it alone.

If You Have a Problem, Seek Help Today

If gambling is causing you harm — financially, emotionally, or in your relationships — please reach out now. Call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858, available 24/7, or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au. The service is free, confidential, and non-judgemental. Taking the first step is often the hardest — but it's the most important one.

Remember: gamble responsibly. When the fun stops, stop.

Last updated: 2026 — croftersfold.com.au