Decide the Budget First
Use only money left after essential expenses have been covered.
18+ SAFER PLAY INFORMATION
Responsible Gambling Australia – Limits, Warning Signs & Support
Gambling should remain optional paid entertainment. Set clear money and time limits, understand that losses are possible and stop when gambling begins to affect finances, wellbeing, relationships or everyday responsibilities.
SAFER GAMBLING BASICS
What Is Responsible Gambling?
Responsible gambling means treating gambling as paid entertainment rather than a source of income. The money limit and session length should be decided before gambling begins.
The amount used should be considered money that may be completely lost. A game, promotion, free spin, bonus or VIP reward cannot guarantee a winning result or profit.
Gambling should not interfere with rent, bills, savings, work, family, sleep or emotional wellbeing. When it begins to cause harm, stopping is more important than attempting to win back previous losses.
Choose a Finish Time
Longer sessions can make controlled decision-making more difficult.
Do Not Move the Limit
Do not increase the budget or end time during the same session.
PRACTICAL SAFER PLAY RULES
Limits to Set Before Gambling
Personal limits are most useful when they are decided before the first deposit or gambling session.
Use Disposable Money
Do not use money required for housing, food, bills, transport, savings or debt repayments.
Never Borrow to Gamble
Do not use loans, credit, payday lending or money borrowed from another person.
Set a Deposit Budget
Choose a fixed amount and do not increase it after a losing result.
Set a Session Limit
Use a timer or alarm and stop when the planned finish time is reached.
Take Regular Breaks
Leave the screen and review the actual time and money already used.
Avoid Impaired Decisions
Do not gamble while affected by alcohol, drugs, extreme stress or exhaustion.
Do Not Chase Losses
A new deposit cannot guarantee recovery of an earlier loss.
Protect Withdrawals
Avoid cancelling a cash-out request only to continue gambling.
MONEY MANAGEMENT
Build the Budget After Essential Expenses
A gambling budget should come only from money remaining after housing, food, transport, bills, savings, debt repayments and other essential commitments have already been covered.
Assume that the entire gambling budget may be lost. When the fixed amount has been used, stop rather than transferring additional money.
Rent and Housing Covered
Bills and Food Covered
Savings and Debt Covered
Remaining Money Is Optional
TIME MANAGEMENT
Set a Session End Time Before Starting
Gambling sessions can continue longer than expected when there is no planned finish time. Decide the session length before starting and use an external alarm or timer.
Do not extend the session because of a loss, near win, bonus activation or belief that the next result will be different.
CHASING LOSSES
Why Trying to Win Back Losses Is Risky
Gambling outcomes remain uncertain. Losing money does not make a future win more likely, and a larger deposit does not repair an earlier result.
Chasing losses can lead to longer sessions, higher deposits, borrowed money and decisions that would not have been accepted before gambling began.
WARNING SIGNS
Signs Gambling May No Longer Be Controlled
One sign may not confirm a gambling problem, but repeated patterns should not be ignored.
Spending More Than Planned
Deposits, bets or losses regularly exceed the original budget.
Chasing Previous Losses
More money is used in an attempt to recover an earlier loss.
Borrowing Money to Gamble
Credit, loans or money from other people are used for gambling.
Hiding Gambling Activity
Deposits, losses or playing time are concealed from other people.
Neglecting Responsibilities
Work, family, sleep, bills or everyday responsibilities are affected.
Cancelling Withdrawals
Cash-out requests are repeatedly cancelled only to continue gambling.
Feeling Unable to Stop
Gambling continues after the money or time limit has been reached.
Gambling to Escape Problems
Gambling is used to avoid stress, anxiety or personal difficulties.
STOPPING PLAN
What to Do When Gambling Feels Difficult to Control
Do not wait for another win to create the stopping point. Stop deposits and gambling immediately and take practical steps to protect the remaining money.
Leave the Website or App
Close the session and move away from the device.
Stop New Payments
Do not complete another deposit to recover a loss.
Protect Remaining Money
Keep withdrawal funds separate and avoid cancelling the request.
Speak With Someone
Tell a trusted person what is happening instead of hiding it.
Ask About Account Controls
Contact live chat to discuss the options currently available.
Use Professional Support
Contact a gambling counsellor or financial counsellor.
WITHDRAWAL PROTECTION
Avoid Cancelling a Withdrawal to Continue Gambling
A submitted withdrawal helps separate money intended for cash-out from further gambling. Cancelling the request only to continue playing can put that money at further risk.
Review the request through Withdrawal History. Contact live chat when the status remains unclear instead of cancelling and resubmitting repeatedly.
ACCOUNT SUPPORT
Restriction, Temporary Suspension or Closure
Confirm which options are currently available through live chat.
Contact Live Chat
ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT
Ask About Current Account-Control Options
A member who needs distance from gambling can contact SANDS33 live chat and ask which account restriction, temporary suspension or account closure options are currently available.
Availability should be confirmed before relying on a particular control. Account action works best when combined with stopping payments, removing saved login access and speaking with a trusted person or professional service.
Do not open another account or use another person's account to avoid an existing restriction or closure.
UNDERAGE PROTECTION
SANDS33 Is Intended Only for Adults Aged 18 and Over
Do not register an account for a person under 18 or allow a child to use an adult gambling account.
Account passwords, saved payment details, banking access and devices used for gambling should be kept secure and away from underage users.
✓ Keep account passwords private
✓ Sign out on shared devices
✓ Keep payment access secure
× Do not allow another person to use the account
× Do not save login details on a child's device
× Do not register on behalf of a person under 18
FREE AUSTRALIAN SUPPORT
Professional Gambling and Financial Support
Professional support is available for people affected by their own gambling and for family members or friends.
Gambling Help Online
Free and confidential gambling counselling is available across Australia by telephone and online chat, 24 hours a day.
National Debt Helpline
Free, confidential and independent financial counselling is available for people experiencing debt or financial difficulty.
Lifeline Australia
Lifeline provides confidential crisis support throughout Australia. Call when emotional distress becomes overwhelming or immediate support is needed.
Immediate danger
If someone is in immediate danger in Australia, call Triple Zero.
Call 000
GETTING SUPPORT
Support Is More Important Than Recovering a Loss
When gambling causes financial stress, conflict, anxiety or loss of control, stop playing and seek help rather than attempting another deposit.
Asking for help early can protect money, relationships and wellbeing. Professional support can be used even when the person is unsure whether the gambling problem is serious.
PRIORITY ORDER
Stop → Protect Funds → Ask for Help
Do not continue gambling while waiting to feel in control again.
SAFER PLAY QUESTIONS
Responsible Gambling Australia FAQ
What is responsible gambling?
Responsible gambling means treating gambling as paid entertainment, setting money and time limits, understanding that losses are possible and stopping when gambling no longer feels controlled.
How much money should I use for gambling?
Only use disposable money that remains after rent, bills, food, transport, savings, debt repayments and other essential expenses have been covered. Never gamble with borrowed money.
Why is chasing losses risky?
Chasing losses can lead to larger deposits, longer sessions and greater financial harm because a future gambling result remains uncertain.
What are common warning signs of problem gambling?
Warning signs can include spending more than planned, borrowing money, hiding gambling activity, cancelling withdrawals to continue playing, neglecting responsibilities or feeling unable to stop.
What should I do if gambling no longer feels controlled?
Stop depositing and gambling, leave the website or app, protect the remaining money, speak with someone you trust and contact a professional gambling-support service.
Can I ask SANDS33 for account restrictions?
Contact SANDS33 live chat to ask which account restriction, temporary suspension or closure options are currently available. Availability should be confirmed before relying on a particular control.
Should I cancel a withdrawal to keep playing?
No. Cancelling a withdrawal only to continue gambling can put money that was already set aside for cash-out at further risk.
Where can I get gambling help in Australia?
Gambling Help Online and the Gambling Helpline provide free and confidential support across Australia. Call 1800 858 858 or use the Gambling Help Online website.
Is SANDS33 intended for people under 18?
No. SANDS33 is intended only for adults aged 18 and over. Account passwords and payment access should be kept away from children and other underage users.
SANDS33 is intended only for adults aged 18 and over. Gambling involves financial risk, and no game, promotion, bonus or VIP reward guarantees a profit. Stop gambling and seek professional support when play no longer feels controlled.