Responsible Gambling

Gambling as Entertainment

Gambling should be approached as an optional form of adult entertainment within a broader hotel or evening experience. It should not be treated as employment, an investment strategy, a way to pay bills or a dependable source of income.

Every gambling product involves the possibility of losing money. Outcomes are uncertain, and past results do not make a future win more likely. A healthy approach begins with accepting that the entire amount set aside for gambling may be lost.

Balance casino time with dining, wellness, sightseeing, conversation and rest. When gambling becomes the central purpose of a trip or begins to replace important activities, it is time to stop and reconsider the role it is playing.

• Treat money spent as an entertainment cost.
• Do not rely on a win to fund travel or daily expenses.
• Choose other hotel activities as part of the same evening.

Adults Only

Casino facilities are restricted to adults aged 18 and over. Entry may require current government-issued photo identification, even when a person is also a hotel guest.

Age restrictions apply separately from accommodation access. A person may be able to stay, dine or use other hotel facilities without being permitted to enter a casino area.

Adults are responsible for keeping gambling accounts, payment methods, access cards and promotional material away from minors. Children should never be left unattended while an adult visits a restricted area.

Understanding Personal Limits

Personal limits should be decided before entering a gaming area, not after money has already been lost or emotions have become intense. A useful limit considers both the amount of money and the amount of time available.

Think about essential expenses, upcoming obligations, current stress, alcohol consumption and the purpose of the visit. A limit that is safe for one person may be unsuitable for another person.

Write the limit down, tell a trusted companion or use available venue tools. A clear decision made in advance is easier to follow than a vague intention to stop later.

Setting a Spending Budget

Choose a fixed amount that can be lost without affecting rent, food, transport, debt repayments, savings, healthcare, family needs or travel home. This amount should be separate from money required for the rest of the stay.

Avoid repeated cash withdrawals, increasing a limit after a loss or moving money from another purpose. Reaching the budget is the point to stop, not a reason to try a different game.

Consider carrying only the planned amount and leaving other payment methods secure. Review spending after the visit so that the true cost remains visible.

• Set the amount before the session.
• Keep essential money separate.
• Do not increase the budget to recover a loss.
• Stop immediately when the limit is reached.

Setting a Time Limit

Gaming environments can make it easy to lose track of time. Decide on a start and finish time before entering and include travel, meals, sleep and next-day plans in that decision.

Use a phone alarm, calendar reminder or planned meeting with another person. A fixed activity after the session, such as dinner or returning to the room, can make the finish time more concrete.

Extending the session because of a recent loss, a near win or a belief that luck is about to change is a warning sign. Leave when the planned time ends.

Taking Regular Breaks

Breaks reduce continuous play and provide an opportunity to notice fatigue, stress, hunger, alcohol consumption and spending. Step away from gaming at planned intervals even when the session feels enjoyable.

Use the break to drink water, eat, go outside, speak with a companion or check the time and budget. Avoid using the break only to withdraw more money.

After a break, it is acceptable to decide not to return. Stopping earlier than planned is a positive choice when concentration, mood or enjoyment has changed.

Never Chasing Losses

Chasing losses means continuing or increasing gambling in an attempt to recover money already lost. It can lead to larger losses because each new wager carries its own risk and does not reverse an earlier outcome.

Thoughts such as 'one more game will fix it' or 'I need to get back to even before leaving' are signals to stop. A loss is not a debt owed by the game and does not create a greater chance of winning next time.

Leave the gaming area, avoid further withdrawals and speak with a trusted person if the urge to continue feels difficult to control.

Avoiding Borrowed Money

Do not borrow from friends, family, lenders or credit services to gamble. Do not use money intended for bills, shared expenses, business costs or emergency savings.

Borrowing can hide the real cost of gambling and create pressure to continue in the hope of repaying the debt. This can quickly turn an entertainment activity into a financial crisis.

If gambling-related debt already exists, stop gambling and seek independent financial support. A qualified financial counsellor can help review essential expenses, creditors and realistic repayment options.

Avoiding Gambling Under Stress

Stress, grief, loneliness, anger, relationship conflict, fatigue and financial worry can affect judgement. Gambling may temporarily distract from those feelings without resolving the underlying problem.

Alcohol and other substances can also reduce self-control and make spending or time limits harder to follow. Do not gamble when impaired or when medication, illness or lack of sleep affects decision-making.

Choose a different activity when emotions are intense. Rest, speak with someone, use wellness facilities, take a walk or seek professional support.

Recognising Warning Signs

Harm can develop gradually. Warning signs may appear in finances, behaviour, relationships, work, sleep or mood. Not every sign means a person has a gambling disorder, but repeated or worsening signs deserve attention.

Common signs include spending more than planned, hiding gambling, lying about losses, missing responsibilities, borrowing money, repeatedly trying to recover losses, feeling restless when stopping or using gambling to escape distress.

Another warning sign is becoming preoccupied with the next opportunity to gamble. Early action is easier than waiting for serious financial or emotional consequences.

• Gambling for longer or with more money than intended.
• Keeping gambling or losses secret.
• Conflict with family, friends or colleagues.
• Difficulty paying ordinary expenses.
• Repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop.
• Anxiety, irritability or low mood connected with gambling.

When Gambling Stops Being Enjoyable

Gambling has stopped being enjoyable when it creates pressure, guilt, fear, conflict or a feeling of being unable to leave. It may also stop being entertainment when the primary goal becomes recovering money rather than enjoying the activity.

Do not wait for a major loss before taking action. Leave the gaming area, pause further access, review finances and tell someone you trust what has happened.

Professional support can be useful even when the problem feels small. A confidential conversation can help identify practical steps before harm increases.

Taking a Temporary Break

A temporary break can interrupt habits and provide distance from urges, advertising and familiar routines. The break may last days, weeks or longer depending on the situation.

During the break, remove gambling apps, avoid gaming areas, unsubscribe from promotional messages, change social plans and limit access to money that could be used impulsively.

Use the time to review spending, sleep, mood and relationships. If returning to gambling would recreate the same pattern, consider a longer exclusion or complete stop.

Self-Exclusion Options

Self-exclusion is a formal process that restricts access to gambling services or venues for a chosen or required period. It can add a practical barrier when personal intentions alone have not been enough.

Processes differ between venues and jurisdictions. Ask hotel or casino staff privately for current information about venue-based exclusion, broader exclusion arrangements and the steps required to apply.

Self-exclusion works best when combined with financial controls, support from trusted people and professional counselling. Trying to avoid or bypass an exclusion is a sign that additional help is needed.

Support for Friends and Family

A friend or family member may notice changes before the person gambling is ready to talk. Approach the conversation calmly, describe specific behaviour and focus on wellbeing rather than blame.

Do not lend money for gambling or repeatedly cover losses. Financial rescue without boundaries can unintentionally allow the pattern to continue. Protect shared accounts, household expenses and important documents where necessary.

Support people can also seek confidential advice for themselves. Living with another person's gambling harm can create stress, fear and financial pressure, and supporters deserve help too.

Financial Support

Gambling-related financial stress can involve unpaid bills, credit use, loans, missed rent, depleted savings or hidden debts. Avoid taking on new high-cost credit to solve an immediate shortage.

List all debts, essential expenses, income and due dates. Prioritise housing, food, utilities, transport, healthcare and family responsibilities before unsecured gambling-related debts.

Independent financial counselling can provide confidential guidance, creditor communication support and a realistic plan. Financial support is most effective when gambling has stopped or access to further funds is restricted.

Professional Support Services

Counsellors and gambling-support services can help with urges, stress, shame, family conflict and relapse prevention. Support may be available by telephone, online or in person, and can often be accessed confidentially.

Use recognised Australian government, health or community service directories to locate current support in your state or territory. In an urgent mental health or safety situation, contact emergency or crisis services appropriate to your location.

Seeking help is not an admission of failure. It is a practical step that can protect finances, relationships and wellbeing.

Speaking With Hotel Staff

Hotel and casino staff can explain venue rules, opening hours, age and identification requirements, breaks, exclusion options and available responsible gambling information.

Ask to speak privately if discussing a personal concern. Staff may be able to help a guest leave the gaming area, locate a companion, arrange transport or provide current referral information.

Staff cannot guarantee financial recovery or replace professional counselling, medical care or legal advice. Their role is to support immediate venue safety and connect guests with appropriate information.

Protecting Minors

Minors must not enter restricted casino areas or participate in gambling. Adults should not present gambling as a normal way to make money or involve children in selecting bets, checking outcomes or handling gambling accounts.

Keep account credentials, payment methods, identity documents and promotional communications secure. Use device controls where gambling websites or apps could otherwise be accessed by a child.

Do not leave a child unattended in a hotel, vehicle, room or public area while visiting a casino facility. Arrange appropriate supervision and follow all hotel and venue rules.

Final Responsible Gambling Reminder

Decide your spending and time limits before gambling begins. Use only money that can be lost without affecting ordinary life, take regular breaks and leave as soon as the activity is no longer enjoyable.

Never chase losses, borrow money or gamble to escape stress. If limits are repeatedly exceeded, stop gambling and use exclusion, financial controls and professional support.

Responsible gambling is not only about the amount spent. It also means protecting time, sleep, relationships, work, travel plans and emotional wellbeing.

• Gambling should never be treated as a source of income.
• Only gamble with money you can comfortably afford to lose.
• Take regular breaks and stop when gambling is no longer enjoyable.
• Never chase losses or borrow money to continue gambling.