Take time away
Step away and choose an activity that does not involve gambling or rewards.
Need support now? Fair Go responsible gambling guidance covers risks, boundaries, breaks and ways to seek help. Find support ↗ General information, not medical or financial advice.
On this page
Core principles
Put your wellbeing first
Gambling can affect your finances and wellbeing. You can seek help before a situation becomes a crisis.
Keep essentials separate
Set aside money for housing, food, bills and savings before considering any gambling spend.
Speak with someone
Support is available if you want advice, a break or help for someone close to you.
Potential harms
Know what can go wrong
- Gambling is not a dependable way to earn money.
- Trying to recover losses may lead to further spending.
- Borrowing, hiding gambling or using essential funds are reasons to stop and reassess.
- Promotions can have conditions and do not remove the risk of losing money.
Australian players should check applicable laws and understand the risks before using any gambling service. See Australian consumer guidance.
Spending boundaries
Budget around essential costs
Choose your boundary in advance
Fair Go deposit limits are not listed in the available information. Check your account or contact 24/7 live support to ask what controls are available.
- Keep essential spending protected and do not borrow to gamble.
- Find out when a requested limit change would apply.
- Check whether a control applies to deposits, losses or both.
- If sticking to a boundary is difficult, consider stopping and seeking independent support.
Time away
Manage time and take breaks
- 01
Set an end point
Choose when to stop before you begin and set a reminder outside the gambling service.
- 02
Make your break count
Close the service, silence gambling notifications and switch to another activity.
- 03
Check in with yourself
Notice any effects on sleep, work, relationships or how often gambling is on your mind.
- 04
Reach out for help
If you keep extending a session or struggle to stop, consider talking with a support service.
Self-exclusion options
Self-exclusion and access controls
Self-exclusion may help create distance from a gambling service. Check exactly what is covered and how to apply; one request may not block every service.
| Control | What to check |
|---|---|
| Fair Go account options | See the current terms |
| National register | Check the register’s official scope and eligibility before relying on it; coverage may not extend to every gambling service. |
| Device or bank controls | Ask your device or financial provider which blocking options are available and what they restrict. |
For information about a national self-exclusion register, check its official scope and registration details directly at Official register ↗.
Warning signs
When gambling may be causing harm
Chasing money lost
Trying to win losses back, raising stakes or continuing longer than intended.
Financial strain
Borrowing, falling behind on bills or struggling to protect money for essentials.
Disruption to daily life
Poor sleep, secrecy, conflict or gambling taking priority over work and relationships.
These signs are reasons to seek support, not a diagnosis of your circumstances. Independent support Look for information and tools to help you consider what to do next.
Where to get help
Support for people in Australia
Gambling support services
Look for confidential counselling and support services available in your area.
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National register
Check the official details of any national self-exclusion register before registering.
Claim Bonus
Where to get help
Government information can help you find national and local support options.
Play NowYou can also seek help if another person’s gambling is affecting you. Support services can help you consider boundaries and look after your wellbeing.
A next step
Choose one practical action
Talk it through
Seek confidential counselling or guidance from a support service in Australia.
Find counselling →Create distance
Close gambling services, pause related notifications and choose an activity away from gambling. Support can help you plan what comes next.
Explore support options →Check what is covered
Review the register’s official scope and registration process before relying on it.
Check register details →Get support for yourself
Help is available when someone else’s gambling affects your wellbeing, relationships or finances.
Find help →Common questions
Fair Go responsible gambling FAQs
When should I seek gambling support?
You can reach out at any time, including before a crisis. Consider support if you are worried about your spending, time or wellbeing.
Will Fair Go deposit limits prevent harm?
Limits can only address what they cover and are not a guarantee against harm. Fair Go deposit limits are not confirmed in the available information; ask 24/7 live support what controls are available.
Does a self-exclusion register cover every service?
Coverage depends on the register’s rules and participating services. Read its official scope before relying on it for a particular service.
Can I get help if someone close to me gambles?
Yes. Contact a support service to discuss the impact on you and find information about possible next steps.
More information
Related topics
Fair Go responsible gambling: practical guidance for safer play
Understand risks before gambling
Gambling involves the risk of losing money. Results cannot be reliably predicted, and chasing losses may increase financial and personal harm.
Set a boundary before you begin and treat any spending as a cost, not income. If gambling affects your mood, relationships, work or ability to cover everyday expenses, take notice and seek support.
Fair Go deposit limits and budgeting
A deposit limit may help you stick to a budget, but Fair Go deposit limits are not confirmed in the available information. Check your account or ask 24/7 live support whether spending controls are available before playing.
Only consider spending what you can afford to lose without borrowing or using money for essentials. Keep household costs separate and do not increase your budget to recover losses or extend a winning run.
- Set a spending boundary and stopping time before you start.
- Do not gamble with borrowed money or funds needed for bills.
- Track your spending and stop when you reach your planned boundary.
Fair Go self exclusion and taking a break
Fair Go self exclusion and temporary account breaks are not confirmed in the available information. Ask 24/7 live support whether these options exist and how they work before relying on them.
If you want to stop now, log out and make access less convenient while you consider your next step. A trusted person may help you keep to a break; you can also look into blocking tools offered by your device or internet provider.
Notice changes in your behaviour
Spending more than planned, hiding gambling, borrowing to continue or feeling anxious when unable to play may be signs to step back. You do not need to wait for a crisis to seek support.
You might record when you gamble, what you spend and how you feel afterwards. Reviewing these patterns can help you decide whether to reduce, pause or stop.
Find help in Australia
People in Australia can seek confidential information and counselling through local gambling support services. A health professional or trusted person may also help you plan a next step if gambling is affecting your finances or wellbeing.
For account questions, Fair Go provides 24/7 live support. Ask whether spending restrictions, breaks or self-exclusion are available and what steps apply; do not assume these controls are offered. If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services in your area.
