Responsible Gaming

Gambling Is Entertainment, Not a Way to Earn Money

Gambling should always be seen as a form of entertainment, not a strategy for making money or solving financial problems. The odds are designed to favour the house over the long term, and there is no guaranteed way to win. Never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose, and never chase losses in an attempt to recover them. If gambling stops being fun and starts feeling like a necessity or a source of stress, it is time to step back and seek support.

Age Verification

You must be of legal gambling age to participate. In New Zealand, the minimum age is 18 years for most forms of gambling (including sports betting and online betting from offshore sites, where permitted), and 20 years for casino gambling. Always verify your age and identity before creating an account or placing a bet. It is illegal for anyone under the legal age to gamble, and operators are required to enforce strict age verification procedures.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can develop gradually. You may have a problem if you recognise any of the following signs in yourself or someone you know:

• Chasing losses – continuing to gamble to try to win back money you have lost.
• Hiding gambling activity – lying to family or friends about how much time or money you spend gambling.
• Spending more than you can afford – using money meant for bills, rent, food, or other essentials.
• Borrowing or stealing money to gamble.
• Neglecting work, study, family, or social commitments because of gambling.
• Feeling anxious, guilty, irritable, or depressed when not gambling or when trying to cut back.
• Repeatedly trying to stop or control gambling without success.
• Gambling to escape from stress, anxiety, or other problems.
• Needing to gamble with larger amounts of money to feel the same excitement.
• Losing interest in hobbies or activities that used to be enjoyable.

Self-Help Tools

Most reputable gambling operators provide tools to help you stay in control. Use these features to manage your gambling before it becomes a problem:

• Deposit limits – set a maximum amount you can deposit per day, week, or month.
• Loss limits – cap the amount of money you are willing to lose over a set period.
• Reality checks – receive pop-up reminders showing how long you have been playing and your net spend.
• Time-outs – take a short break from gambling for 24 hours, 7 days, or longer.
• Self-exclusion – block yourself from accessing a gambling site for a set period (e.g., 6 months, 1 year, or permanently).
• Account closure – permanently close your account if you decide to stop gambling altogether.

These tools are not a substitute for professional help if you are already experiencing gambling-related harm, but they are an important first line of defence.

Support Organisations

If you or someone you care about is struggling with gambling, free and confidential help is available. Contact the organisation appropriate for your country:

• New Zealand: Gambling Helpline New Zealand – www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz | Phone: 0800 654 655
• New Zealand: Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand – www.pgfnz.org.nz
• UK: GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• UK: GamStop – www.gamstop.co.uk
• Australia: Gambling Help Online – www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
• Canada: Responsible Gambling Council – www.responsiblegambling.org
• US: National Council on Problem Gambling – www.ncpgambling.org
• Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) – www.bzga.de
• Other countries: Please contact your national gambling support helpline or visit your local health authority website for assistance.

If You Have a Problem, Seek Help Now

Problem gambling is a treatable condition, and reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. You are not alone. Whether you need immediate advice, a supportive listener, or a structured programme to regain control, qualified professionals are ready to assist you free of charge and in complete confidence. Call a helpline, visit a support website, or talk to someone you trust today. The sooner you ask for help, the sooner you can start to rebuild.