Responsible Gaming

Gamble for entertainment

Gambling involves risk, and there is no guaranteed outcome. Every bet can result in a loss, even if you have won previously. Random games are not affected by past results, personal strategies or the amount you have already spent. A win does not mean that another win is more likely, and a loss does not mean that a win is due.

Only gamble with money you can afford to lose after your essential expenses have been covered. Your gambling budget should come from spare funds rather than rent, bills, food, school costs, savings or borrowed money. Never use credit, loans or money intended for someone else to fund gambling. If a gambling session uses money set aside for an important purpose, stop playing and review your choices.

Before you start

• Decide how much time and money you are comfortable spending.
• Set a budget that you can follow without affecting your normal responsibilities.
• Accept that losses are part of gambling and cannot be recovered by continuing to play.
• Avoid gambling when you are upset, stressed, tired or under financial pressure.
• Do not gamble while affected by alcohol, medication or other substances.
• Keep gambling separate from household money and other financial commitments.
• Check the applicable age and account requirements before using a gambling service.

A good way to stay in control is to record your deposits, bets, withdrawals and time spent gambling. Reviewing this information can help you see the real cost of gambling and identify changes in your behaviour. Consider discussing your gambling budget with a trusted person so that someone else understands the limits you have chosen.

Tools to help you stay in control

Depending on the services and features available to your account, you may be able to use safer gambling controls. These tools are designed to help you manage your activity, but they work best when you choose limits carefully and use them before problems arise. Read the terms shown for each tool, including when a change takes effect and whether it can be reduced or changed immediately.

Deposit and spending limits

A deposit limit can restrict the amount added to your account over a selected period. Set a limit that reflects your genuine entertainment budget, not the amount you hope to win. A deposit limit is not a guarantee that you will avoid losses, because funds already in an account may still be used for gambling. Keep track of your total spending across all gambling services you use.

Time limits and reminders

Set a session time limit or use reminders to check how long you have been playing. Take regular breaks away from the screen and do something unrelated to gambling. Playing for longer can increase spending and make it harder to make calm decisions. If you find it difficult to stop when a reminder appears, consider taking a longer break or using a stronger restriction.

Time-out and account closure

A time-out can restrict access for a short period and may be useful when you want distance from gambling. If you need a longer break, you can ask about account closure or self-exclusion options that may be available. These options are intended to prevent or reduce access for the period selected. Do not create another account, use another person's account or ask someone else to gamble on your behalf while a restriction is active.

Review your settings

Safer gambling settings should be reviewed regularly and adjusted if your circumstances change. A limit should never be increased simply because you have lost money or want to continue playing. If you are considering increasing a limit to keep gambling, stop and seek support before making that decision. Account tools may not prevent gambling with other providers, so consider setting consistent boundaries across all services.

Recognising when gambling may be a problem

Problem gambling can affect anyone. It may develop gradually, and a person does not need to gamble every day to experience harm. Concern may arise when gambling takes priority over work, study, relationships, health or other responsibilities. The important step is to notice changes early and act before the impact becomes more serious.

Possible warning signs

• Spending more time or money gambling than you planned.
• Trying to win back losses by placing larger or more frequent bets.
• Feeling restless, irritable or anxious when you cannot gamble.
• Hiding gambling activity, losses or transactions from family and friends.
• Borrowing money, selling belongings or missing bills to continue gambling.
• Gambling to escape stress, loneliness, sadness or other difficult feelings.
• Losing interest in work, study, hobbies, family or social activities.
• Arguing with people close to you about gambling or money.
• Breaking limits repeatedly after deciding to stop.
• Feeling guilt, shame or regret after gambling but continuing anyway.

One warning sign can be enough reason to pause and review your gambling. You do not need to wait for a crisis before asking for help. A trusted friend, family member, counsellor or qualified support service can help you understand what is happening and identify practical next steps.

If you are chasing losses

Chasing losses means continuing to gamble or increasing bets in an attempt to recover money that has already been lost. This commonly leads to greater losses because each new bet creates another risk. Previous losses do not improve the chance of a future win. Stop gambling, avoid making further deposits and take time away from gambling instead of trying to balance the result.

If gambling is affecting someone close to you

Gambling can affect partners, relatives, friends and other people who share financial or personal responsibilities. If someone else's gambling is causing concern, protect essential household funds, avoid covering repeated losses and seek independent guidance. Raise the issue calmly when the person is not gambling, explain the effect on you and encourage them to speak with a support service.

Getting help and taking action

If you are worried about your gambling, the safest first step is to stop playing and prevent further deposits where possible. Use an available time-out, self-exclusion or account closure option, and consider removing saved payment methods or gambling applications from your devices. Do not rely on willpower alone if you have tried to stop and found it difficult.

Support options

• Speak with a trusted family member, friend or support person.
• Contact an Australian gambling support service or a qualified health professional.
• Ask your doctor or mental health professional about counselling for gambling concerns.
• Seek financial counselling if gambling has created debt or affected household finances.
• Ask Richards Casino support about the safer gambling controls available for your account.
• If you feel unsafe or are in immediate danger, contact emergency services or a crisis service in your area.

Support is confidential in many settings, and you can ask questions without committing to a particular treatment. A professional can help with triggers, budgeting, relationships, debt and other issues connected with gambling. If you are supporting another person, you can also seek advice for yourself. You do not have to manage the situation alone.

Our approach

Richards Casino provides information intended to support informed decisions and safer gambling. We may use account information and activity patterns to identify circumstances that could indicate harm, where permitted by applicable requirements. If a concern is identified, we may provide safer gambling information, suggest a break, discuss available restrictions or take other appropriate steps. These measures do not remove the personal risk of gambling and are not a substitute for professional support.

You are responsible for keeping your account details secure, using your own account and following any limits or restrictions you choose. Do not allow another person to use your account, and do not use an account belonging to someone else. If you believe an account restriction has not worked as expected, stop gambling and raise the matter through the available support channel.

Gambling services may have rules about age, identity, location, account use and self-exclusion. You should read the applicable terms and any information shown in your account before gambling. This page provides general responsible gambling guidance and does not replace independent financial, medical or legal advice.