Responsible Gambling and Where to Get Help

Last updated 15 July 2026.

The Accountability Register AU covers offshore PayID pokies with a watchdog frame, and every part of our coverage is anchored in the same principle. Pokies are entertainment for adults, priced against a sustainable budget, and no session is worth more than your own wellbeing. This page lists the resources that matter if the fun is not fun anymore.

You must be eighteen or over to gamble legally in Australia. If you are under eighteen, please close this tab now.

GambleAware. The national helpline is 1800 858 858, staffed twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. It is free, confidential and professional. You do not need to be in crisis to call, and the counsellors are trained to help at any stage of concern.

Gambling Help Online. gamblinghelponline.org.au offers real time web chat, email support and self directed programmes. Free and confidential. Useful when a phone call is not practical.

BetStop. The National Self Exclusion Register operated by ACMA since 2022 lets you exclude yourself from all licensed Australian wagering operators in a single registration. It does not currently cover offshore pokies operators, but registering is still valuable for many players.

Financial Counselling Australia. The National Debt Helpline is 1800 007 007. If your gambling has moved into money that should not be at risk (mortgage, rent, food, family obligations) this is the number that unlocks free, confidential financial counselling.

Lifeline. 13 11 14, twenty four hours a day. For any moment when the weight is heavier than money.

Beyond Blue. 1300 22 4636, twenty four hours a day. For depression, anxiety and the mental health side of gambling harm.

Relationships Australia. 1300 364 277 for family counselling for households affected by gambling harm.

State helplines. Every Australian state and territory operates a gambling helpline. All connect through the national GambleAware network on 1800 858 858.

Warning signs. Chasing losses. Playing with money set aside for other things. Hiding play from family. Feeling irritable when not playing. Neglecting work or relationships. Any one of these deserves a conversation with GambleAware or with a person you trust.

Self exclusion notes for offshore operators. Because offshore operators are not covered by BetStop or by state self exclusion registers, self exclusion at an offshore operator lives inside that operator's own tooling. Well run offshore operators offer cool off periods (24 hours to 7 days) and self exclusion (six months to permanent). Use them.

Bank side blocks. Every major Australian bank now offers a customer requested gambling block on card and PayID payments. Layered coverage with per operator self exclusion is stronger than either alone.

You are not alone. Help is free, confidential and one phone call away.