Take time away
Step back and choose an activity without wagers or gambling rewards.
Need support now? Gambling Help Online provides free, confidential support. Gambling Help Online ↗ Responsible gambling information for Australia.
On this page
Core principles
Put your wellbeing first
Gambling can bring financial and emotional harm. Seeking help early can make a difference.
Safeguard essential spending
Keep money for housing, food, bills and savings separate from gambling funds.
Reach out to someone
Support is available whether you need advice, a break or help for someone you care about.
Potential harms
Know what can go wrong
- Gambling is not a dependable source of income.
- Trying to win back losses can lead to more spending.
- Borrowing, hiding gambling or using essential funds are signs to stop and reassess.
- Promotional credits and free spins may have conditions and still carry financial risk.
In Australia, ACMA identifies online casino games and online slots as illegal online gambling services. See ACMA consumer guidance.
Spending boundaries
Set money limits and protect essentials
Make a plan in advance
If using a lawful service, check which deposit or loss controls are available. A limit is a boundary, not a spending goal.
- Set essential costs aside and do not borrow to gamble.
- Find out when a limit change becomes active.
- Check whether a control applies to deposits, losses or both.
- If sticking to a limit is difficult, consider a break and independent support.
Time boundaries
Manage time and step away
- 01
Choose an end point
Decide when to stop before you begin and set a reminder outside the gambling service.
- 02
Make your break count
Close the service, switch off gambling notifications and move on to another activity.
- 03
Check in with yourself
Notice any effects on sleep, work, relationships or how much you think about gambling.
- 04
Get help if needed
If you keep extending sessions or struggle to stop, contact a support service.
Exclusion options
Self-exclusion and access barriers
Self-exclusion can help restrict access to a gambling service. Confirm its scope and process; one request may not block every website.
| Control | What to check |
|---|---|
| VegaStars self-exclusion | Contact VegaStars Support to ask about the process, duration, account restrictions and any conditions for reopening. |
| BetStop register | BetStop covers Australian-licensed online and phone wagering providers, not every gambling service. |
| Device or payment blocks | Ask your device or financial provider what blocking controls are available and what they cover. |
For the national register, check its scope and registration details directly at BetStop.
Warning signs
Notice when gambling may be causing harm
Chasing losses
Trying to recover money, raising stakes or playing longer after losing.
Financial strain
Borrowing, unpaid bills or difficulty keeping essential spending separate.
Everyday changes
Poor sleep, secrecy, conflict or gambling taking priority over work and relationships.
These signs are reasons to seek support; this information does not diagnose your circumstances. Gambling Help Online offers resources to help you work out a next step.
Where to find support
Independent support in Australia
Gambling Help Online
Free, confidential support and online counselling are available across Australia.
Get Bonus Now
BetStop register
Find information about the national self-exclusion register for licensed online and phone wagering.
Claim Bonus
Where to find support
The Australian Government can help you find national and state gambling support services.
Play NowSupport is also available if another person’s gambling affects you. Ask about boundaries and looking after your own wellbeing.
What next?
Choose one useful action
Speak with a counsellor
Gambling Help Online provides free, confidential online support.
Contact Gambling Help Online →Plan a proper break
Close gambling services, pause related notifications and choose something away from gambling. Support can help you plan what comes next.
Browse support resources →Understand register coverage
BetStop covers Australian-licensed online and phone wagering. Check its coverage and registration process.
Check BetStop →Find support for yourself
You can seek help when someone else’s gambling affects your wellbeing, relationships or finances.
Explore support options →Common questions
VegaStars responsible gambling: FAQs
When should I seek gambling support?
You can reach out at any time, including when you are worried about spending or time. You do not have to wait for a crisis.
Do VegaStars deposit limits prevent all harm?
No. Limits have specific coverage and are only one possible safeguard. 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. 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 offers information and support for people affected by another person’s gambling.
More information
Related resources
VegaStars responsible gambling: guidance for safer play
What safer gambling means
VegaStars responsible gambling means treating gambling as entertainment, not a way to earn money or solve financial problems. Every wager can lose, and game outcomes cannot be reliably predicted or controlled.
Gambling can affect finances, relationships, sleep and mental health. If play brings stress, secrecy or conflict, take it seriously and seek support rather than chasing losses. VegaStars states that players must be at least 18; anyone under 18 must not gamble.
Plan VegaStars deposit limits before play
Set a spending and time boundary in advance, based on what you can afford to lose. Keep gambling funds separate from rent, bills, food and savings, and do not borrow to keep playing.
VegaStars deposit limits and their settings are not published on the official site. Check the account or contact Support to ask which controls are available and when changes take effect. If a suitable limit is unavailable, set a personal budget and stop when you reach it.
Do not increase your budget because of a promotion. The welcome offer is “Double your first deposit!” and includes 100%, up to AUD 6,000, 125 Free Spins, an A$20 minimum deposit and 40x wagering. Review the conditions and consider the risk of loss; bonus funds are not income.
Take breaks and watch for warning signs
A break can help you notice whether gambling still feels like a choice. Set an end time, avoid playing when distressed or affected by alcohol or drugs, and do not chase losses by increasing stakes or extending a session.
Warning signs may include spending beyond your plan, hiding gambling, neglecting responsibilities, struggling to cut back or feeling anxious when you cannot play. If these patterns arise, stop and talk to someone you trust or a support service.
VegaStars safer gambling involves using any available account controls and avoiding logins during a break. Keep track of time and spending instead of relying on memory, and step away if gambling affects your wellbeing.
VegaStars self-exclusion and account access
To ask about VegaStars self-exclusion, contact Support and clearly request exclusion. Ask about the applicable duration and account restrictions; detailed periods and processing times are not published on the official site, so confirm the terms and keep a record of your request.
Pair a break or exclusion with practical barriers. Consider website or transaction blocks offered by your device or financial provider, and ask someone you trust to help you avoid access. Do not switch services to get around a restriction.
Find help in Australia
If gambling is causing harm, contact a support service in your state or territory for confidential advice and treatment options. You may also speak with a GP or mental health professional and tell someone you trust what is happening.
If you are in immediate danger or thinking about self-harm, contact emergency services or a crisis support service in Australia. VegaStars lists Support and a Help Centre, but these do not replace independent gambling or mental health support.
