Staying in control
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Gambling is spending money for entertainment, and it should feel like that. When it stops feeling like that, the help below is free, confidential and Australian.
Free help, any hour
- Gambling Help Online, 1800 858 858, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or chat at gamblinghelponline.org.au. Counselling for you or for someone you are worried about.
- Lifeline, 13 11 14, if things feel heavier than gambling.
- Your state’s service, which Gambling Help Online can connect you to, for face-to-face counselling.
BetStop and what it does not cover
BetStop, betstop.gov.au, is the national self-exclusion register. One registration excludes you from every licensed Australian bookmaker and wagering service for the period you choose. It does not cover offshore casinos such as Vegas Now, because they are not licensed here and are not connected to it. For Vegas Now you use the operator’s own tools, below.
Tools at Vegas Now
The operator’s responsible gaming page, last updated 26 February 2024 by its own stamp, says you can exclude yourself from playing by contacting support through live chat, and that a friend or family member can contact support on your behalf. It does not describe deposit or loss limits on that page; on the SoftSwiss platform those normally sit in the profile under a responsible gaming or limits tab, and live chat can set them for you if you cannot find them. Ask for the limit in writing in the chat, and keep the screenshot.
Three habits that help
- Decide the amount before you deposit, not after. The deposits page lists the minimum; the maximum is yours to set.
- Do not chase a bonus clock. The welcome offers run 40× wagering inside seven days; if that pace does not fit your week, deposit without a bonus.
- Withdraw wins the day they happen. A balance left in the casino is a balance that gets played.
If you are worried about someone else
Gambling Help Online counsels family and friends too, on the same number. You do not have to name the person.
A note on this site
This site earns a commission if you join Vegas Now. It also puts the helpline on every page, because the two are not in conflict: nobody who is not in control should be a customer.