

Responsible Gambling for Australians
Australia is well known for having a high level of personal freedom compared to other first world nations. Here at the Australian Betting Organization we support the rights of every Australian citizen to gamble as a pastime according to their own conscience. Most Australian gamblers have a high level of control over their gambling pastime. However, just like with any popular pastime, some people take gambling to an unhealthy level.
Because Australian citizens are not heavily restricted in their gambling pastime they gamble more than any other nationality per capita. As of recent years Australian adults have shown to gamble around $1200 per person per year. The lion share of this gambling is performed on sports betting and racing betting. Other popular forms of gambling by Australians include playing pokies.
The individuals who lose control over their gambling pastime can develop problems ranging from over-spending to a full pathological gambling addiction. This is the main reason why we highly recommend online casinos that are eCOGRA certified and take part in the responsible gaming requirements.
You should keep in mind that gambling is a pastime for entertainment and should not be considered a means for making money. You should never chase your loses at an online casino or bookmaker in hopes to win them back. Build a gambling budget for yourself and don’t go beyond that number. Even if you don’t believe you have a problem with gambling we suggest you take the self-assessment test below.
- Self-Assessment Test
If you take the self-assessment test and find you may need help controlling your gambling pastime further support can be found at: http://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
Online Casino Help Options
Online casinos and bookmakers often offer different options to help you control your spending and gambling pastime.
Deposit Limit: You can opt to have the casino set a deposit limit. This means you can only deposit a certain amount of money on a scheduled basis.
Self-Exclusion: You can opt to have the casino provide a cooling-off period. This is where the casino will not allow you to participate at the casino for a set period of time and will not send you promotional material for a set period of time. Check to see if the online casinos you frequently visit offer self-exclusion.
HOME HELP OPTIONS
If you find you need the help of a friend or loved one there is different software you can place on your computer that will limit what sites can be accessed. With this software there is often a password that is required to access specific sites. Have your friend or loved one be in charge of the password protection and only open access to the gambling sites in accordance with your mutual agreement.
FINDING BALANCE
Gambling is not the only form of entertainment. There are several types of entertainment that provide nearly identical stimulation in the brain that may be easier for you to control with regards to spending. Finding other fulfilling pastimes is part of the long-term treatment plan for those who find they have difficulty controlling their gambling pastime. Keeping yourself busy and fulfilled in life is an ongoing process. Sometimes all we need is to change things up a little to gain control over specific aspects in our lives. We recommend that you set a daily schedule for yourself and try new activities that you have never before taken the initiative to explore.