Responsible Gaming

At afhcglobalconference.org, we believe that gambling — including playing at PayID casinos — should always be a form of entertainment, never a way to earn money or solve financial problems. Casino games are games of chance: the house always has an edge, and no strategy, system, or payment method can guarantee winnings. Please only ever gamble with money you can afford to lose, and treat any money you deposit as the cost of entertainment, not an investment.

This page was last reviewed in 2026 and is intended for our Australian visitors. If gambling stops being fun, please take it seriously and use the resources below.

Age Verification

You must be 18 years or older to gamble legally in Australia. This applies to all licensed online wagering services, land-based casinos, pubs, clubs, and lotteries. Underage gambling is illegal, and licensed operators are required to verify the age and identity of their customers.

• Never share your gambling account with anyone under 18.
• If minors have access to your devices, use parental control software and keep your login details and payment methods (including PayID credentials) secure.
• Log out of gambling accounts after every session.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can affect anyone. Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you or someone you care about:

• Chasing losses — gambling more to try to win back money you have lost
• Hiding your gambling — lying to family or friends about how much time or money you spend gambling
• Gambling with money meant for essentials — rent, bills, groceries, or loan repayments
• Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
• Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, or boredom
• Losing track of time — gambling for much longer than you planned
• Neglecting responsibilities — work, study, or relationships suffering because of gambling
• Unsuccessful attempts to cut down — trying to stop or reduce gambling but being unable to
• Feeling irritable or restless when you try to stop gambling
• Thinking about gambling constantly — planning the next session or reliving past wins

If you recognise two or more of these signs in yourself, it may be time to seek support. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Self-Help Tools

Licensed Australian gambling operators offer a range of tools to help you stay in control. We strongly encourage you to use them before gambling becomes a problem:

• Deposit limits — set a maximum amount you can deposit per day, week, or month. Set your limit before your first session, not after a loss.
• Loss limits — cap the amount you can lose within a set period.
• Session and time limits — restrict how long you can play in a single session.
• Reality checks — enable on-screen reminders showing how long you have been playing and how much you have spent.
• Cooling-off periods — take a short break (24 hours to several weeks) from your account.
• Self-exclusion — block yourself from gambling for a longer period. In Australia, you can register with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register (www.betstop.gov.au) to exclude yourself from all licensed Australian online and phone wagering services in one step.
• Bank gambling blocks — many Australian banks allow you to block gambling transactions on your cards and accounts. Contact your bank to activate this.

Support Organizations

Free, confidential help is available 24/7. If you or someone you know is affected by problem gambling, please reach out:

Australia

• Gambling Help Online — free, confidential 24/7 counselling, live chat, and support for gamblers and their families across Australia. Visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au or call 1800 858 858.
• BetStop – National Self-Exclusion Register — www.betstop.gov.au
• Lifeline Australia — 24-hour crisis support, call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au

International Resources

• United Kingdom: GamCare — www.gamcare.org.uk | GamStop (self-exclusion) — www.gamstop.co.uk
• Canada: Responsible Gambling Council — www.responsiblegambling.org
• United States: National Council on Problem Gambling — www.ncpgambling.org | Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER
• Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) — Glücksspielsucht helpline: 0800 137 27 00

If You Have a Problem, Seek Help Today

Problem gambling is a recognised health issue — and recovery is possible. If gambling is causing you or your loved ones harm, please don't wait. Contact Gambling Help Online or call 1800 858 858 — it's free, confidential, and available around the clock. Registering with BetStop or speaking to a counsellor could be the most important step you take this year.

Remember: gamble for fun, set limits before you play, never chase losses, and never gamble more than you can afford to lose. When the fun stops, stop.