Is Your Gambling Still Fun?

Most people who gamble do so for entertainment and never experience serious problems. But gambling can become harmful — and it can happen gradually. These warning signs suggest gambling may have moved from fun to problematic:

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Spending more than you can afford to lose, or chasing losses with bigger bets

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Gambling for longer than planned or losing track of time while playing

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Thinking about gambling constantly, even when doing other things

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Hiding your gambling from family or friends, or lying about how much you've spent

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Feeling anxious, irritable or depressed when you can't gamble

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Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling

If you recognise any of these signs in yourself, please reach out for support. The helplines below are free, confidential, and available now.

NZ Problem Gambling Helplines

Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand

Free, confidential support 24/7. Counselling, advice, and referrals for NZ players and their families.

0800 664 262

Gambling Helpline

Free call, available any time. Supports both people who gamble and those affected by someone else's gambling.

0800 654 655

Lifeline

Crisis support including gambling-related distress. Free 24/7 helpline.

0800 543 354

Online Support

pgf.nz — Problem Gambling Foundation online resources, self-assessment tools, and counsellor chat.

pgf.nz

Tools to Help You Stay in Control

Every casino we recommend offers built-in responsible gambling tools. Use them — they exist precisely for this purpose:

Deposit Limits

Set a daily, weekly, or monthly maximum deposit. Once set, limits can only be increased after a cooling-off period (usually 24–72 hours).

Session Time Limits

Set a maximum time per session. The casino will notify you and can automatically log you out when the limit is reached.

Loss Limits

Set a maximum amount you can lose in a day, week, or month. Prevents chasing losses beyond your comfort level.

Cool-Off Period

Take a break from gambling for 24 hours to 6 weeks. Your account remains open but you cannot deposit or play during this time.

Self-Exclusion

Permanently or temporarily close your account. Contact casino support to request self-exclusion — they are required to process this promptly.

Reality Checks

Regular pop-up reminders showing how long you've been playing and how much you've spent. Available in account settings at most casinos.

Gambling Safely — Our Guidelines for NZ Players

Only gamble with money you can afford to lose. Treat your gambling budget like an entertainment expense — like a night out. Never gamble with rent, bill money, or savings.
Set a budget before you start. Decide your maximum loss before opening the casino. Stop when you reach it — regardless of whether you're winning or losing.
Gambling is not a way to make money. All casino games have a house edge — the casino wins over time by mathematical design. Occasional wins happen, but long-term profit from gambling is not realistic.
Never gamble to recover losses. Chasing losses — betting more to win back what you've lost — is one of the most common patterns of problem gambling. Accept losses and stop.
Take regular breaks. Step away from the screen. Time passes quickly when gambling online. Set a session timer and stick to it.
Don't gamble when upset, stressed, or impaired. Gambling while emotional or under the influence impairs judgment and often leads to poor decisions and overspending.

If you need help right now: Call the Problem Gambling Foundation NZ on 0800 664 262 — free, confidential, available 24/7. You don't have to be in crisis to call. They're there for anyone who's concerned about their gambling.

Responsible Gambling