Take a proper break
Step away and choose an activity without stakes or gambling rewards.
Need support now? Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support. Gambling Help Online ↗ General information, not medical or financial advice.
On this page
Core principles
Put wellbeing first
Gambling can cause financial and emotional harm. You can seek help before things reach a crisis point.
Keep essentials separate
Set aside money for housing, food, bills and savings before considering any gambling spend.
Reach out to someone
Support is available if you want advice, a break or help for someone close to you.
Risks to know
Be clear about the risks
- Gambling is not a reliable way to earn income.
- Trying to win back losses may lead to more spending.
- Borrowing, hiding gambling or using essential money are signs to stop and reassess.
- Promotional credits and free spins may have conditions and still involve financial risk.
In Australia, ACMA identifies online casino games and online slots as illegal online gambling services. Read the ACMA guidance for consumers.
Spending boundaries
Protect your money and essentials
Set boundaries in advance
If using a lawful service, check which deposit and loss controls are available. A limit is a boundary, not a spending goal.
- Keep essential costs protected and do not borrow to gamble.
- Check when a requested limit change becomes active.
- Find out whether a limit applies to deposits, losses or both.
- If sticking to a limit is difficult, consider pausing and getting independent support.
Time boundaries
Manage your time and take breaks
- 01
Choose an end point
Decide when to stop before you begin, and set a reminder outside the gambling service.
- 02
Step away fully
Close the service, silence gambling notifications and switch to another activity.
- 03
Notice changes
Consider whether gambling is affecting sleep, work, relationships or your thoughts throughout the day.
- 04
Get help to stop
If you keep extending sessions or struggle to stop, contact a support service.
Self-exclusion
Winshark Casino self exclusion and access blocks
Self-exclusion can help put distance between you and a gambling service. Check what it covers and how it works; one request may not block every website.
| Choice | What to check |
|---|---|
| Provider exclusion | Check the provider’s process, duration, account coverage and restrictions on reopening. |
| BetStop register | BetStop’s National Self-Exclusion Register covers Australian licensed online and phone wagering providers, but not every gambling service. |
| Device and bank tools | Ask your device or financial provider which blocking tools are available and what they cover. |
For information about the national register, check its scope and registration details directly at BetStop.
Warning signs
Signs gambling may be causing harm
Chasing losses
Trying to recover money, raising stakes or continuing for longer after losing.
Financial strain
Borrowing, unpaid bills or difficulty keeping essential spending separate.
Everyday life changes
Poor sleep, secrecy, conflict or gambling taking priority over work and relationships.
These signs are a reason to seek support; this information cannot assess or diagnose your circumstances. Gambling Help Online offers tools and information to help you consider what to do next.
Where to find help
Independent support in Australia
Gambling Help Online
Free, confidential support, including online counselling across Australia.
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BetStop register
Read about the national self-exclusion register for licensed online and phone wagering.
Claim Bonus
Where to find help
Find national and state gambling support through the Australian Government.
Play NowYou can seek help if another person’s gambling affects you. A support service can help you consider boundaries and your own wellbeing.
Take a next step
Choose one practical action
Speak with a counsellor
Gambling Help Online provides free, confidential online support.
Visit Gambling Help Online →Make room to pause
Close gambling services, silence related notifications and choose something away from gambling. Support can help you plan what comes next.
Browse support resources →Understand exclusion coverage
BetStop covers Australian licensed online and phone wagering. Check its coverage and registration process.
Read about BetStop →Look after yourself, too
You can ask for support when another person’s gambling affects your wellbeing, relationships or finances.
Find help options →Common questions
Winshark Casino responsible gambling FAQ
How do I get help with gambling concerns in Australia?
Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support, including online counselling across Australia. You can reach out before gambling becomes a crisis.
Will a deposit limit prevent every gambling harm?
No. A limit only covers what it is designed to control and may be one part of a broader plan. If boundaries are hard to maintain, consider a break and independent support.
Does BetStop cover every online casino?
BetStop covers Australian licensed online and phone wagering providers, not every gambling service. Check its official scope before relying on it for a particular service.
Can I get support if someone close to me gambles?
Yes. Gambling Help Online provides information and support for people affected by someone else’s gambling.
More information
Related information
Winshark Casino responsible gambling: practical ways to stay safer
Spot when gambling may be causing harm
Gambling is not a way to earn money or ease financial pressure. Outcomes are uncertain, and chasing losses can mean spending more time and money than planned.
Warning signs may include using essential money, borrowing to gamble, hiding your activity or feeling anxious and preoccupied. If this sounds familiar, step away and speak with someone you trust or a support service in Australia.
Set boundaries before you play
Making a plan before a session can help you keep to your own boundaries. Decide what you can afford to lose, how long you will play and what you will do when either boundary is reached. A limit is not a spending target.
Keep gambling money separate from bills and everyday costs. Avoid playing when upset, tired or affected by alcohol or other substances. Winshark Casino lists 24/7 live chat and email support; contact the team to ask which account controls are available.
- Set a spending boundary using only money left after essentials and savings.
- Pick an end time and take breaks instead of extending play.
- Do not borrow, chase losses or raise a limit to try to recover money.
- Review your gambling and stop if it is causing stress or conflict.
Winshark Casino safer gambling: pause and find support
A break can interrupt the urge to continue and give you room to reassess. Log out, move away from gambling screens and choose something unrelated. If stopping feels difficult, ask someone you trust to help you follow through.
If gambling affects your wellbeing, relationships or finances, contact a gambling support service in Australia. State and territory services can discuss counselling and other options. If there is immediate danger or a mental health crisis, contact emergency services.
Winshark Casino self exclusion and account options
Self-exclusion involves asking a gambling provider to block your access for a chosen period or longer. Winshark Casino’s self-exclusion availability and conditions are not published in the information available here, so contact support to ask how to request it and what happens to your account.
Ask about cooling-off options, deposit or time controls, and ways to prevent access during a break. You could also look into blocking gambling websites or apps on your devices and ask your bank whether it offers gambling transaction controls.
Plan how to get support
You do not have to wait until gambling feels unmanageable to get help. A counsellor or local gambling support service can help you consider practical steps and support for affected family members.
Winshark Casino states that it is licensed by Curacao eGaming, Licence No. 8048/JAZ. This does not replace personal safeguards or independent help. If you are in Australia and worried about gambling, prioritise your safety, contact a support service and take a break while you consider what to do next.
