Responsible Gambling

What Is Responsible Gambling?

Responsible Gambling is something which applies to everyone in the gambling industry, from online and land-based casino owners and game providers, to regulators and other operators. It also applies to you as a player.

The concept of responsible gambling is all about creating a safe experience for players. For an operator, this can mean a variety of protocols:

• Efficient age checks to prevent underage play and block minors
• Strong player verification procedures
• Providing a site with clear and easy-to-locate rules
• Fair games
• Secure deposits
• Clear complaints procedure

For you as a player, responsible gambling means reducing the risks which could turn an entertaining pastime into something risky and problematic. This could include making sensible choices which fit your situation, such as:

• Setting a time to log out and stop playing
• Creating a fixed budget for your gambling
• Avoiding chasing losses
• Promoting a healthy balance of gambling and your family and social activities 
• Keeping an eye on how often you play and what you are spending 
• Never losing sight that gambling could result in losing and is not a way to make money

Responsible Gambling at NZ Online Casino Operators

Regulators such as the Malta Gaming Authority, Curaçao Gaming Authority, or Anjouan Gaming, stipulate that casino sites must adhere to a strict set of principles relating to responsible gambling. These must be embedded in the services that are provided to you as a Kiwi player. The key areas include:

• Creating a safe online environment 
• Utilising a clear data protection policy
• Securing payment transactions 
• Safeguarding vulnerable people
• Ethical, compliant and responsible marketing 
• Preventing underage gambling
• Guarding against criminal activities 

Each online casino must have an easy-to-access area dedicated to responsible gambling. This should detail tips on how to play safely, limits to add to your account, a self-assessment test and how you can set a self-exclusion. There should also be links to local organisations, should you need further support.

Responsible Gambling Tools

We’ve already mentioned a few things which can help you to play safely, but let’s expand on these. The tools below are also what we use to measure a casino’s overall commitment to responsible gambling. 

Account Limits

You can add these to your casino account and fix your own parameters. These limits can usually be set for 24 hours, a week, a fortnight or a month and help you stay in control.

• Deposit limit: For example, if you set this for $10 a week and try to deposit more, you won’t be allowed to. 
• Loss limit: You should only gamble with the money that you can afford to lose. This limit helps you do just that. So if you set a loss limit of $20 a week, then once your total losses for the week add up to $20 – you won’t be able to play anymore.
• Session limit: This tool allows you to determine the period of time you want to play for. If you set this for 2 hours a day, then after 2 hours you will be logged out until the limit has reset. 
• Wagering limit: This tool helps you to stay in control of how much you are betting. If the limit is set to a maximum of $10 in wagers, then once you reach this, you won’t be able to place any more bets.
• Time alert: This serves as a ‘reality check’ and will pop up at the time which you set the limit. If you want to play for 1 hour, then at the 1-hour mark, you’ll get an on-screen reminder. The information here can also show how much you have deposited, wagered and lost within the set time. 

Transaction History 

This should be easily available to view and even download in your player profile. You can use it to see how much you have spent, your wagers, wins, losses and withdrawals. Helping you to keep track of your playing habits.

Self-Assessment Test

This consists of a series of questions to which you would reply ‘yes’ or ‘no’. The assessment is completely anonymous and aims to establish whether you may have a problem with gambling. 

Usually at the end of the questionnaires, you will receive a summary which can highlight areas of your life that gambling is negatively affecting. But it will always include the recommended next steps which you should follow. You can find your casino’s self-assessment test within its responsible gaming information. 

Self-Exclusion and Time-Out

These are the tools which either allow you to take a break from gambling or permanently close your account. 

Blocking Software

There are apps which you can use in New Zealand to block your access to online gambling sites. You can add them to your mobile devices or desktop and they are easy to use:

• Betblocker

• Gamban

Banking Systems 

Certain banks in NZ can prevent you from making deposits to gambling sites. If you feel this is something which you need, then have a chat with an account advisor about your options.

How To Develop Safer Gambling Habits

Gambling responsibly isn’t all about the tools that we’ve mentioned. There’s an ongoing process of responsible play which you should consider. We’ve put together some useful tips for you.

• Set a budget and a time to stop playing, whether you are losing or winning.
• Remember that losing is always possible and if you do lose, trying to win back these amounts could lead to more losses.
• Avoid borrowing money to gamble with and don’t lend money to someone for their gambling.
• Consider whether it makes sense to spend money on gambling, or could the funds be better used elsewhere in your life?
• Maintain a healthy balance between gambling, spending time with loved ones, your friends and hobbies. Your social life should never be compromised for gambling. 
• Never play whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Substances can impact your ability to make a rational decision and your self-control may be reduced. This could lead to impulsive deposits and wagers.
• Ask yourself how gambling makes you feel. Do you get upset, anxious or worried, for example? 
• Keep a track of how often you play and if this increases then take action.
• If you are going through a stressful period of your life or you are anxious, upset or grieving – please don’t use gambling as a means of escape. Instead, talk to people that you trust or even reach out to a healthcare professional or a specialist organisation. 

Playing Casino Games Safely

Whether you are playing a pokie or a live casino table, it’s important to recognise that some of the features can be risky.

• Using quick spin and autoplay: this removes your physical need to place a wager or take a spin. It could lead to losing control of your spending and track of time.
• Mobile games: if you have your device with you at all times it can be tempting to reach out and place a bet. Set limits on your casino account or restrict play to fixed times using a desktop. 
• Highly volatile games: Compared to medium and low volatility, these pokies tend to pay out larger amounts but less frequently. This can create a need for you to chase losses and also seek out that ‘big win’. Look out for lower and medium variance games with a slower pace of play. Also games that have a lower minimum bet can be useful to help control your spending.
• Playing on multiple devices: some casinos also offer the feature to play 4 different games at the same time. This could also lead to you losing control and not being able to monitor your spending, time and bet amounts. 

Using Casino Bonuses Responsibly

Always be aware of the full picture before you claim a casino bonus. There are always terms and conditions attached, so please check these before you claim. It’s likely that you will have to work through wagering requirements too. Check the amount and whether this applies to the bonus amount or your deposit, or both. Make sure that you know how long you have to complete this wagering. Verify whether there are any restrictions on the amount you can win or withdraw too. 

Most casinos will have a maximum bet amount whilst using a bonus. As well as casino games which are excluded from wagering use. Some games will contribute differently to your wagering progress, so please check these first. Often deposits with payment methods such as Neteller and Skrill will leave you ineligible to claim some bonuses. 

If you don’t fully understand the terms or if something doesn’t feel right, then don’t claim the bonus.

Recognising Early Warning Signs – When It’s Time To Stop

Always be aware of how gambling makes you feel and be honest about this. It’s important to know when it’s time to stop and seek some support. Some common warning signs can include:

• Borrowing money to gamble with
• Losing track of time
• Using gambling as a way to escape
• Feeling moody when you cannot gamble
• Using the money you had set aside to pay your rent and bills for gambling 
• Dodging plans with friends and family so that you can gamble
• Lying about your gambling habits
• Getting into debt due to gambling
• Chasing your losses

Being There for Your Friends and Whānau

Keep an eye on your loved ones who gamble. If you feel worried about someone, then the best way to help them is by listening without judgment. It takes a great deal of courage for someone to admit they need support, and you should praise the person for this. Show them that you care and you are interested in their well-being. You can also offer to approach specialist organisations together.

It could be time to protect your finances if these are shared with someone who needs support because of gambling. Please don’t be tempted to cover any debts or lend money, no matter how upset or persuasive your loved one is. 

Support Services in New Zealand

There are plenty of organisations throughout Aotearoa that exist to help and support players and their families and friends. They can offer advice, support, counselling sessions and debt advice.

• The Ministry of Health 0800 611 116

This public health agency works in local NZ communities to minimise the harm which can gambling can cause. Their page has several links for accessing counselling services in your area too.

• PGF Services 0800 664 262

This organisation offers access to counselling sessions in local areas throughout New Zealand. There are currently 18 clinics nationwide and talking services are free.

• Gamblers Anonymous NZ

This portal has a wealth of information as well as links to local meetings. There are tools such as a self-assessment test, recovery program info and a section for friends and family to access.

• Salvation Army Oasis

Accessible for Pacific peoples, you can arrange counselling either in a clinical setting or at home. The organisation also offers peer and cultural support for families, friends and wider communities.

• Healthy He Puna Waiora

This charity offers a wealth of information with downloadable guides, videos and self-assessment tests. The portal also has lots of links to further help networks and organisations in New Zealand.

• Safer Gambling Aotearoa 0800 654 655 or free SMS 8006

The national gambling service operates a 24/7 helpline and text service. The site hosts information on local help services, along with useful tips for safe gambling and your wellbeing.

An Important Disclaimer for Players in New Zealand
We have produced this page for adults in New Zealand, based on the NZ Gambling Act of 2003. As well as the New Zealand governmental approach to the prevention and minimisation of harm and responsible gambling. If your gambling starts to affect you or a loved one, then please don’t hesitate to seek support.