We love gambling; however, we also recognise the need for clear control mechanisms to prevent harmful outcomes. Therefore, our responsible gambling guide outlines practical steps—budget limits, time-outs, and self-assessment tools—to help you stay in charge. Moreover, you’ll find NZ support resources and safer-play tips so you can enjoy the thrill while protecting your wellbeing. Ultimately, use this responsible gambling roadmap to regain control and play smarter.
Isla Elwick
Gambling should be entertainment—never a source of harm. This guide explains how to set healthy limits, spot warning signs early, and get fast, free help in Aotearoa New Zealand if you or someone close to you needs it.
1. Set a budget before you start and stick to it. Separate your gambling wallet from day-to-day money.
2. Set a time limit (use phone timers or in-site “reality checks”) and take regular breaks.
3. Never chase losses. Tomorrow’s bet won’t fix today’s result.
4. Avoid gambling when stressed, tired, or after alcohol.
5. Treat bonuses as marketing, not income. Check wagering and game-weighting rules.
6. Keep perspective. Slots and table games are designed for the house to win over time; RTP and volatility don’t guarantee any outcome.
Ask yourself:
Do I spend more time or money than I planned?
Am I hiding gambling from whānau or friends?
Do I feel anxious, irritable, or guilty after playing?
Have I borrowed to gamble or missed bills?
Do I chase losses or raise stakes to “get even”?
If you said “yes” to any, consider using the tools below and talking to a free NZ support service (confidential, 24/7). Call 0800 654 655 or text 8006 to reach Gambling Helpline Aotearoa.
On any reputable casino site (including offshore):
Deposit / loss / wager limits: Cap spending per day, week, or month.
Session time-outs & reality checks: Pop-ups remind you how long you’ve been playing.
Cool-off (24 hours–30 days) & self-exclusion (6–12 months+): Lock your account temporarily or long-term.
Transaction history & net position: Review results honestly; don’t rely on memory
At your bank & on devices:
Many NZ banks offer gambling-transaction blocks on cards or app-level restrictions (e.g., Westpac’s debit/credit gambling block with a stand-down to lift it). Check your bank’s app or call support.
Myth: RTP means I’ll get 96% of my money back.
Fact: RTP is a long-term average across millions of spins—your session can vary wildly.
Myth: A slot is “due” to pay.
Fact: Results are random; past outcomes don’t predict the next one.
Myth: Higher stakes improve odds.
Fact: Stakes change win size, not probability (unless a game explicitly states otherwise).
Start with care, not criticism. Use specific observations (“I’ve noticed…”) and listen.
Offer practical help: Share helpline numbers, suggest limits or self-exclusion, and remove access to shared funds.
Protect yourself: Set boundaries, avoid covering debts, and seek support for yourself if needed.
Asian Family Services (中文/한국어等): 0800 862 342 with language support for Asian communities.
Pasifika services: Call the Gambling Helpline and ask for Pasifika support (0800 654 657) or search providers near you.
1737 Need to talk?: Text/call 1737 any time for emotional support from trained counsellors.
Find local services: Use the Safer Gambling Aotearoa directory to see free support near you.
First, note that gambling in New Zealand is strictly 18+—and that includes online play. Accordingly, reputable, licensed, and regulated casinos (including those serving NZ players) enforce zero-tolerance for underage gambling as part of their responsible gambling obligations. In practice, every new account must pass age-verification (KYC) checks such as photo ID and date-of-birth confirmation before deposits or withdrawals are allowed. Moreover, regulators mandate independent audits and ongoing compliance reviews. Additionally, sites must provide clear parental controls and self-exclusion links. Ultimately, operators that fail to protect minors face heavy fines and potential licence suspension or revocation.
If you’re concerned about a young person’s exposure to gambling—or want help setting up blocks and filters—free, confidential support is available in NZ 24/7 (for adults and families). Call 0800 654 655 or text 8006 for immediate support.
1. Lock your devices and profiles. Use strong passwords/biometrics and sign out of gambling sites after each session.
2. Enable parental controls. Set up device-level and router/ISP filters to block gambling content; use app stores’ content restrictions.
3. Secure payment methods. Don’t store card details in browsers; consider separate cards or banking blocks for gambling transactions.
4. Keep accounts private. Never share logins; disable “remember me” and auto-fill on shared devices.
5. Model healthy behaviour. Avoid gambling around children and never present it as an easy way to make money.
6. Have the conversation. Explain the risks (odds, house edge, debt, mental health) and why gambling is for adults only.
7. Watch for red flags. Missing money, unexplained app downloads, cleared histories, or late-night device use may need a calm check-in.
To begin with, we feature only casinos that offer robust responsible gambling tools—deposit/loss/time limits, reality checks, cool-offs, and self-exclusion—plus clear KYC and transparent T&Cs.
Moreover, every bonus is shown with effective wagering, game weightings, min/max stakes, expiry, and payment exclusions right beside the CTA, not buried in footnotes.
Additionally, NZ support is one click away on every page: Gambling Helpline 0800 654 655 / text 8006, alongside other resources—because responsible gambling support should be immediate.
Importantly, our reviews follow a fixed 25-step rubric (safety, fairness, payout speed, dispute handling, game quality, pricing of bonuses, UX, and RG tooling). Affiliate status never overrides a poor score.
Furthermore, we verify claims (game counts, payout windows, fees, RTP visibility) with live testing and screenshots; if terms change, we update, not “grandfather” old marketing. If we miss something, we correct it promptly; material fixes are time-stamped, and safety changes are flagged at the top.
For clarity, some links may earn us a commission; this does not affect your price or our ratings, and we state it plainly wherever offers appear.
Likewise, we avoid dark patterns—no “guaranteed wins” or suggesting gambling as a financial solution—aligning with responsible gambling messaging.
First and foremost, 18+ only. We never market to minors; age-gates appear on gambling content and youth-oriented imagery is excluded.
In addition, we prioritise operators that lawfully accept NZ players and clearly disclose licence, dispute routes, and restricted countries.
Finally, we follow NZ good-practice standards for safer-gambling message frequency and placement.
Proactively, we provide step-by-step guidance for device locks, parental controls, banking blocks, and talking with rangatahi about gambling. Also, we avoid graphics or themes likely to appeal to minors.
To encourage control, we nudge limits before play, prompt breaks on long reads, and surface responsible gambling tools within bonus sections.
Balanced by design, pros and cons appear together; we highlight volatility, low RTP, and steep wagering where relevant.
By default, we collect only essential analytics/newsletter data—never sell personal data—and use HTTPS, reputable vendors, and routine access audits.
Moreover, we aim for WCAG-aligned contrast, alt text, clear headings, and plain-language summaries; respectful, inclusive wording throughout.
Regularly, we re-check the top NZ pages at least every 90 days and fast-track major regulatory or operator updates within 48 hours. Lastly, your feedback matters: report issues and we’ll triage quickly—especially on safety, payments, or terms—supporting a stronger responsible gambling experience for all.
Keeping play fun, affordable, and time-bound. You set money and time limits, avoid chasing losses, and only play at licensed casinos that offer safety tools (limits, cool-offs, self-exclusion).
Log in → Account/Responsible Gaming → choose deposit/loss/wager limits and session time limits (plus reality checks). You can also set a 24-hour–30-day cool-off or a longer self-exclusion (6–12 months+). Once set, some limits can’t be raised immediately (there’s usually a cooling-off period).
Pause play, set a cool-off or self-exclude, and talk to someone. In NZ you can get free, confidential, 24/7 help via the Gambling Helpline 0800 654 655 or text 8006. They’ll listen, offer next steps, and refer you to local counsellors if you want.
Yes—many NZ banks offer gambling-transaction blocks you can turn on in the banking app or by calling support. You can also use device/app-store parental controls and network filters to block gambling sites on shared devices.
Gambling is 18+. Keep accounts private and password-protected, don’t save card details in browsers, log out after sessions, enable content filters/parental controls, and talk openly about the risks. Choose licensed casinos that perform age/KYC checks.
A cool-off temporarily locks you out (e.g., 24 hours–30 days). Self-exclusion is longer (typically 6–12+ months) and can’t be reversed until it ends. For retail venues, ask about Multi-Venue Exclusion (MVE) to ban yourself from multiple sites at once.