Responsible Gaming

Gambling involves risk, and outcomes are determined by chance. No strategy can guarantee a win, and previous results do not predict future results. It is important to view gambling as paid entertainment rather than an opportunity to earn income. Only play when you are comfortable with the possible loss and never treat gambling as a substitute for employment, savings or financial planning.

Before you start, decide how much time and money you are prepared to spend. Consider your personal circumstances, including your income, regular expenses, debts and other commitments. A budget should cover essential costs first. If losing your planned gambling budget would affect your household, bills or wellbeing, do not gamble.

• Set a spending limit before each session and do not exceed it.
• Set a time limit and take regular breaks away from the screen.
• Keep gambling separate from money needed for rent, food, bills, savings or debt repayments.
• Never chase losses by increasing your bets or continuing for longer than planned.
• Do not borrow money, use credit or sell possessions to fund gambling.
• Avoid gambling when you are upset, stressed, tired, angry or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
• Remember that a win is not a reason to increase your spending.
• Keep gambling private from children and do not allow anyone under the legal age to access your account.
• Review your gambling regularly and stop if it is no longer enjoyable.

Responsible gambling also means protecting your account and personal information. Use a strong, unique password, keep your login details confidential and sign out when using a shared device. If you believe another person has accessed your account, stop using it and contact the relevant support team through the available account or website channels.

Planning ahead can make it easier to follow your decisions. Account controls and gambling management tools may be available to help you monitor or restrict your activity. Depending on the service and your circumstances, these may include deposit limits, loss limits, wagering or spending limits, session reminders, activity statements, time-out options and account self-exclusion.

Limits and reminders

A limit is most effective when it is set before gambling begins. Choose an amount and period that fits your budget, and consider using a lower limit while you become familiar with your spending. Activity information can help you see how much time and money you have used. Session reminders can prompt you to pause and reassess whether you still want to continue.

Time-outs and self-exclusion

A time-out is a temporary break from gambling. Self-exclusion is a stronger measure that prevents or restricts access for a selected period or until further action is taken. If you choose self-exclusion, do not try to open another account, use another person’s account or find ways around the restriction. Ask people you trust to support your decision and consider blocking access to gambling websites or applications on your devices.

Limits and exclusions are personal safeguards, not guarantees of financial recovery. They work best when combined with a realistic budget, reduced access to funds and support from a qualified service. If you are unsure which option is appropriate, stop gambling and seek advice before playing again.

Problem gambling can affect anyone, regardless of age, income or background. It may develop gradually, and a person may not notice the impact until gambling begins to affect finances, relationships, work, study or health. You do not need to wait for a crisis before asking for help.

You may wish to pause and seek support if you recognise any of the following signs:

• Spending more time or money gambling than you intended.
• Trying to win back money you have lost.
• Feeling restless, irritable or anxious when attempting to cut down.
• Thinking about gambling frequently or finding it difficult to focus on other activities.
• Hiding gambling from family, friends or people who manage your finances.
• Borrowing money, using credit or missing payments because of gambling.
• Gambling to escape difficult feelings or to manage stress, loneliness or sadness.
• Arguing with people close to you about gambling.
• Neglecting work, study, family responsibilities, sleep or personal care.
• Feeling shame, hopelessness or distress because of gambling.

If any of these signs apply, stop gambling and speak with someone you trust. You can also contact a professional gambling support service in Australia, your state or territory health service, or a qualified counsellor. These services can provide confidential information, practical guidance and support for both people who gamble and those affected by someone else’s gambling.

If gambling has caused urgent financial concerns, consider contacting a financial counsellor for help with budgeting, debts and payment arrangements. If you feel unsafe, are experiencing a mental health emergency or are thinking about harming yourself, contact emergency services or an appropriate crisis support service immediately.

Richards Casino supports informed choice and aims to provide clear information about gambling risk and available controls. We may use account and activity information to identify behaviour that could indicate harm, subject to applicable privacy requirements. Where appropriate, we may contact a player to discuss safer gambling tools, encourage a break or recommend seeking independent support.

We may apply account restrictions, suspend activity or close an account where this is necessary to support responsible gambling, meet legal obligations, protect the platform or address concerns about account use. These measures can apply even where a player has not requested them. Account decisions and available options may depend on applicable law, account circumstances and the information available at the time.

Players are responsible for providing accurate information, following account rules and using gambling services only where legally permitted. Do not allow another person to use your account, and do not gamble on behalf of someone else. If you share a household with a person who is trying to stop gambling, use separate accounts and devices where possible and discuss additional safeguards with a support professional.

For friends and family

A person’s gambling can affect partners, relatives, friends and other people in their household. Raise your concerns calmly, focus on the effect of gambling rather than blame, and avoid giving money that may be used to continue gambling. Protect shared finances where appropriate and seek independent advice about boundaries, budgeting and safety. Support is available even if the person who gambles does not want help.

Responsible gambling is an ongoing choice. Set a limit, take a break and review your behaviour whenever your circumstances change. If gambling stops feeling like entertainment, close your session and seek support. Richards Casino encourages every player in Australia to make wellbeing, financial security and personal safety the priority.