Online Gambling

Responsible Gambling: Your Guide to Safe Online Gaming

Gambling should always be an enjoyable form of entertainment, not a source of financial stress or personal problems. At our platform, we are committed to promoting responsible gambling practices and ensuring that all players in New Zealand have access to the tools and resources they need to maintain control over their gaming activities. This comprehensive guide provides essential information about recognising problem gambling, utilising self-control mechanisms, and accessing professional support when needed.

1. Understanding Problem Gambling

Problem gambling, also known as gambling disorder or compulsive gambling, occurs when gambling behaviour becomes uncontrollable and begins to negatively impact various aspects of a person’s life. Unlike casual entertainment gambling, problem gambling involves persistent and recurring patterns that lead to significant impairment or distress in personal, family, or occupational functioning.

Research conducted by the New Zealand Ministry of Health indicates that approximately 0.3% of New Zealand adults experience severe gambling problems, with an additional 1.7% facing moderate difficulties. Understanding the nature of problem gambling is crucial for early identification and intervention, as it rarely improves without appropriate support and treatment.

The development of gambling problems typically follows a progressive pattern, beginning with occasional wins that create excitement and false confidence. Over time, losses accumulate, leading to chasing behaviours where individuals attempt to recover their losses through continued gambling. This cycle often results in increased betting amounts, longer gaming sessions, and eventual loss of control over gambling activities.

2. Recognising Warning Signs and Symptoms

Early recognition of problematic gambling patterns is essential for preventing serious consequences. The following warning signs may indicate the development of gambling-related problems:

  1. Spending more money on gambling than originally intended or budgeted
  2. Gambling for longer periods than planned or losing track of time while gaming
  3. Lying to family members or friends about gambling activities or losses
  4. Borrowing money or using credit cards to fund gambling activities
  5. Neglecting work, family, or social responsibilities to gamble
  6. Experiencing mood swings, anxiety, or depression related to gambling outcomes
  7. Attempting to chase losses by increasing bet sizes or gambling frequency
  8. Feeling unable to stop gambling despite wanting to quit
  9. Using gambling as an escape from stress, depression, or other problems
  10. Becoming secretive or defensive when questioned about gambling habits

If you recognise multiple warning signs in your own behaviour or that of someone close to you, it may be time to seek professional guidance or utilise available self-help resources.

3. Self-Assessment Tools and Resources

Regular self-assessment is a valuable practice for maintaining awareness of your gambling habits and identifying potential concerns before they become serious problems. Several validated screening tools can help evaluate your relationship with gambling activities.

The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) is widely used in New Zealand and consists of nine questions about gambling behaviour over the past 12 months. This assessment tool categorises individuals into different risk levels, from non-problem gambling to severe problem gambling, providing insight into whether professional help might be beneficial.

Online self-assessment questionnaires are available through various New Zealand health organisations and can be completed anonymously. These tools typically ask about gambling frequency, amounts spent, emotional responses to wins and losses, and the impact of gambling on daily life. Regular completion of these assessments can help track changes in gambling behaviour over time.

Honest self-reflection is crucial when using these tools. Consider keeping a gambling diary to record the time spent gambling, amounts wagered, emotional states before and after gaming sessions, and any concerns that arise. This documentation can provide valuable insights into patterns and triggers that may contribute to problematic behaviour.

4. Deposit Limits and Financial Controls

Setting and adhering to deposit limits is one of the most effective ways to maintain control over your gambling expenditure. These financial safeguards help prevent impulsive decisions during emotional moments and ensure that gambling remains within affordable boundaries.

Daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits can be established based on your personal financial situation and entertainment budget. When setting these limits, consider only using money that you can afford to lose completely, treating it as payment for entertainment rather than an investment opportunity. Never gamble with money intended for essential expenses such as rent, groceries, utilities, or debt payments.

Loss limits function similarly to deposit limits but focus specifically on the amount you’re willing to lose during a specific time period. Once this limit is reached, gaming activities should cease immediately. Some platforms also offer reality checks that display time and money spent during gaming sessions, helping maintain awareness of your gambling activity.

Consider using separate bank accounts or prepaid cards specifically for gambling activities. This approach creates a clear boundary between gambling funds and essential money, making it easier to track expenditure and maintain financial discipline.

5. Time Management and Session Controls

Time-based controls are equally important as financial limits for maintaining healthy gambling habits. Online gambling’s convenience and accessibility can make it easy to lose track of time, leading to extended gaming sessions that may result in poor decision-making and increased losses.

Session time limits should be set before beginning any gambling activity, ideally when you’re in a calm, rational state of mind. Consider factors such as your daily schedule, responsibilities, and energy levels when determining appropriate session lengths. Most experts recommend keeping individual gaming sessions under two hours to maintain focus and decision-making ability.

Regular breaks during gambling sessions are essential for maintaining perspective and emotional control. Step away from the screen, engage in physical activity, or participate in other activities to reset your mental state. This practice helps prevent the tunnel vision that can develop during extended gaming periods.

Avoid gambling when tired, stressed, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or experiencing strong emotions. These states can impair judgment and lead to decisions that you might regret later. Instead, choose times when you feel relaxed and mentally clear for any gambling activities.

6. Self-Exclusion and Cooling-Off Periods

Self-exclusion programmes provide a formal mechanism for temporarily or permanently restricting access to gambling activities. These tools are designed for individuals who recognise that they need a break from gambling to regain control or address underlying issues.

Temporary exclusions, often called cooling-off periods or time-outs, can range from 24 hours to several months. During this period, you cannot access your gambling account or participate in any gaming activities on the platform. This break provides time to reflect on your gambling habits, seek professional help if needed, or simply take a step back from gambling activities.

Permanent self-exclusion is a more serious commitment that involves closing your gambling account indefinitely. This option is typically chosen by individuals who have recognised that they cannot gamble safely and need complete removal from gambling environments. Most reputable operators make this process straightforward and irreversible to protect vulnerable players.

In New Zealand, the Multi-Venue Exclusion programme allows individuals to exclude themselves from multiple gambling venues simultaneously. While this programme primarily covers land-based venues, similar concepts apply to online gambling platforms, and many operators participate in shared exclusion databases.

7. Professional Support and Treatment Options

Professional support is available for individuals experiencing gambling-related problems, ranging from counselling services to intensive treatment programmes. In New Zealand, several organisations specialise in gambling addiction treatment and support.

The New Zealand Gambling Helpline (0800 654 655) provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Trained counsellors offer immediate crisis support, ongoing counselling, and referrals to local services. The helpline also provides support for family members and friends affected by someone else’s gambling problems.

Face-to-face counselling services are available throughout New Zealand, with many offering specialised gambling addiction treatment. These services may include individual counselling, group therapy, family counselling, and financial counselling to address the various aspects of gambling-related problems.

Gamblers Anonymous provides peer support through regular meetings where individuals can share experiences and support each other’s recovery. These meetings are free and available in most major New Zealand cities, offering a non-judgmental environment for discussing gambling-related challenges.

8. Supporting Family Members and Friends

Gambling problems affect not only the individual gambler but also their family members, friends, and wider social network. Understanding how to provide appropriate support while maintaining personal boundaries is crucial for everyone involved.

Family members should avoid enabling gambling behaviour by lending money, covering debts, or making excuses for the gambler’s actions. Instead, focus on encouraging professional help-seeking and supporting recovery efforts. It’s important to recognise that family members cannot control or cure someone else’s gambling problem.

Open, honest communication about the impact of gambling problems on relationships and family life can be helpful, but should be approached with care and preferably with professional guidance. Many counselling services offer family sessions to help address these complex dynamics.

Support groups such as GamAnon provide assistance specifically for family members and friends of problem gamblers. These groups offer practical strategies for coping with the challenges of living with or caring about someone with gambling problems.

9. Protecting Minors and Preventing Underage Gambling

Protecting young people from gambling harm is a shared responsibility involving parents, educators, gambling operators, and the broader community. In New Zealand, the legal gambling age is 18 for most forms of gambling, including online casino games and sports betting.

Parents and caregivers should maintain open communication about gambling risks and monitor their children’s online activities. Installing parental control software can help block access to gambling websites and prevent underage gambling. Additionally, securing payment methods and monitoring financial accounts can prevent unauthorised gambling transactions.

Education about gambling risks should begin before children reach the legal gambling age, helping them develop critical thinking skills about advertising, understand probability and odds, and recognise the signs of gambling problems. Schools and community organisations often provide resources and programmes addressing these topics.

If you suspect that a minor has been gambling online, it’s important to address the situation immediately through open discussion, professional guidance if necessary, and implementation of stronger safeguards to prevent future incidents.

10. Creating a Balanced Lifestyle and Alternative Activities

Maintaining a balanced lifestyle with diverse interests and activities is essential for healthy gambling habits. When gambling becomes the primary source of entertainment or excitement, it may indicate developing problems that require attention.

Developing alternative hobbies and interests can provide the excitement and social interaction that some people seek through gambling. Physical activities, creative pursuits, social clubs, volunteer work, and learning new skills can all contribute to a fulfilling lifestyle that doesn’t rely heavily on gambling for entertainment.

Social connections outside of gambling environments are particularly important for maintaining perspective and accessing support when needed. Nurturing relationships with family and friends who don’t gamble, or who gamble responsibly, can provide valuable reality checks and emotional support.

Financial wellness practices, including budgeting, saving, and investing, can provide alternative ways to engage with money and financial planning that don’t involve the risks associated with gambling. Many people find satisfaction in watching their savings grow or achieving financial goals through disciplined planning rather than gambling.

Remember that seeking help for gambling problems is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you’re concerned about your gambling habits or those of someone you care about, don’t hesitate to reach out to professional services or support organisations. Recovery is possible with the right support and commitment to change.

Last updated: January 28, 2026