Responsible Gaming

Gambling should always be a form of entertainment, never a way to earn money or solve financial difficulties. The odds are designed so that the house has an edge, and over time, losses are inevitable. Please only gamble with money you can afford to lose, set limits, and treat pokies as a paid leisure activity — not an investment.

Age Verification

You must be 18 years or older to gamble legally in New Zealand. Online casinos and pokies sites operating in NZ require proof of age and identity during registration. Underage gambling is illegal and can lead to serious long-term harm. If you are under 18, do not attempt to create an account or gamble. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to use parental controls and monitor online activity to prevent underage access.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can develop gradually. If you recognise any of the following signs in yourself or someone you care about, it may be time to seek help:

• Chasing losses — continuing to gamble to try to win back money you have lost.
• Hiding gambling activity from family, friends, or loved ones.
• Spending more time or money on gambling than you intended.
• Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to cut down or stop.
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or using funds meant for bills to gamble.
• Neglecting work, study, family, or social responsibilities due to gambling.
• Lying about gambling habits or feeling guilty after a session.
• Gambling to escape from stress, depression, or other personal problems.

Self-Help Tools

Most reputable online casinos and pokies sites offer tools to help you stay in control. Use them proactively:

• Deposit limits — set a maximum amount you can deposit per day, week, or month.
• Loss limits — cap the amount you are willing to lose over a set period.
• Reality checks — receive on-screen reminders of how long you have been playing.
• Time-outs / cool-off periods — temporarily block your account for 24 hours to several weeks.
• Self-exclusion — block yourself from gambling for a longer period (usually 6 months to 5 years or permanently).
• Session limits — restrict the length of each gambling session.

These tools are free and can be activated in your account settings. Self-exclusion is the strongest step you can take if you feel you are losing control.

Support Organizations

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, free and confidential help is available. Contact an organisation in your region:

• New Zealand — Gambling Helpline: 0800 654 655 or text 8006, www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz. Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand (PGF): 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.
• Germany — Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA): www.bzga.de.

For other countries, please contact your local national responsible gambling authority or helpline. A quick online search for “problem gambling help [your country]” will direct you to the most relevant service.

Call to Action

If you recognise any warning signs in yourself, or if gambling is causing distress to you or your loved ones, please seek help today. Calling a helpline or speaking to a trusted friend or family member is a sign of strength, not weakness. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7 in most regions. You are not alone, and recovery is possible.