Responsible Gaming
Last updated: 2026 | cosmetic-dentists-melbourne.com.au
Our Commitment to Responsible Gambling
At cosmetic-dentists-melbourne.com.au, we believe gambling — including playing pokies — should always be a form of entertainment, never a way to earn money or solve financial problems. Pokies and other casino games are games of chance: the house always has an edge, and losses are a normal part of play. Please only ever gamble with money you can comfortably afford to lose, and treat any winnings as a bonus, not an income.
Age Verification — 18+ Only
In Australia, you must be at least 18 years of age to gamble legally, whether at a land-based venue or online. All operators we reference are required to verify the age and identity of their customers. If you share a device with minors, we strongly recommend using parental control software and never saving your login details or payment information. Underage gambling is illegal and taken very seriously.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Gambling can become harmful gradually. 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've lost
- Hiding your gambling from family, friends, or your partner
- Spending more money or time gambling than you planned
- Borrowing money, using credit, or selling belongings to fund gambling
- Neglecting work, study, family, or social commitments because of gambling
- Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, depression, or boredom
- Lying about how much you gamble or how much you've lost
- Feeling irritable, restless, or guilty when you try to cut down or stop
- Unsuccessfully trying to reduce or stop gambling
If several of these sound familiar, it may be time to reach out for support — it's a sign of strength, not weakness.
Self-Help Tools
Most licensed gambling operators offer practical tools to help you stay in control. We encourage you to use them proactively:
- Deposit limits — cap how much money you can add to your account daily, weekly, or monthly.
- Loss limits — set a maximum amount you're prepared to lose in a given period.
- Time/session limits — restrict how long you can play in a single session.
- Reality checks — on-screen reminders showing how long you've been playing and how much you've spent.
- Cooling-off periods — take a short break (24 hours to several weeks) from gambling.
- Self-exclusion — block yourself from gambling venues or online sites for an extended period or permanently. 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 telephone wagering services.
Support Organisations
Free, confidential help is available 24/7 across Australia:
- Gambling Help Online — free, confidential counselling and support for anyone affected by gambling, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au or call 1800 858 858.
- BetStop – National Self-Exclusion Register — exclude yourself from all licensed Australian online wagering providers at www.betstop.gov.au.
- Lifeline Australia — crisis support and suicide prevention, call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au.
If you are visiting from outside Australia, support is also available internationally, including the National Council on Problem Gambling (US — www.ncpgambling.org), GamCare (UK — www.gamcare.org.uk), and the Responsible Gambling Council (Canada — www.responsiblegambling.org).
If Gambling Is No Longer Fun — Seek Help
If gambling has stopped being entertainment and started causing stress, debt, or conflict in your life, please reach out today. Help is free, confidential, and non-judgemental. Call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 — available 24/7 — or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au. You are not alone, and support is only one call away.
Remember: Gamble responsibly. Set your limits. Know when to stop. If it's not fun anymore, it's time to get help.