Responsible gambling: Tips for responsible gambling – New Zealand
For New Zealand players, check the locally available support services and the operator's current limit and exclusion tools before making a deposit.
Gambling is adult entertainment
Gambling is intended only for those aged 18 and over. It's entertainment — not a way to make money. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose. Set clear time and money limits for yourself.
Make a pause plan before gambling in New Zealand
Before gambling in New Zealand, write down a money limit, a time limit and a date to review your activity. The money limit should come only from disposable funds left after housing, food, bills and savings.
Stop gambling in New Zealand immediately if you begin chasing losses, hiding activity, borrowing money or moving a limit while playing. Use the local support resource below rather than waiting for the situation to become more severe.
- Review your New Zealand gambling history at least weekly and compare actual time and money with your limits, including deposits, withdrawals and pending withdrawals. If you avoid the review or leave losses out, pause and ask for outside support.
- Do not use credit, loans, rent or bill money to gamble in New Zealand. Turn off marketing notifications, enable deposit limits and keep the local support contact somewhere other than the gambling device so it remains available when needed.
- If gambling in New Zealand creates an immediate financial or personal-safety crisis, close gambling accounts, use payment blocks offered by your bank and contact local health or crisis services without delay.
- During a break, do not follow gambling results or promotions in New Zealand. Make a realistic repayment or savings plan that does not rely on further gambling, and ask a trusted person to review the situation with you. Losses do not need to be, and should not be, won back.
Keep limits for gambling in New Zealand separate from casino promotions: a limit should not increase after a win, loss or new offer. Record the starting balance, deposits, withdrawals and time in one place. If the casino history does not match the bank transactions, stop and resolve the difference before making another payment. This keeps the decision tied to actual figures rather than the emotion of a session.
Tips for responsible gambling
- Decide in advance how much you're willing to lose — and stick to it
- Don't chase losses — it usually only leads to bigger losses
- Take breaks — don't play for hours on end
- Don't gamble while intoxicated
- Gambling is not a solution to financial problems
- Keep gambling separate from the rest of your life — family, work and friends first
Recognizing problem gambling
The following signs may indicate a gambling problem:
- You gamble more than you planned
- You try to hide your gambling from loved ones
- You borrow money to gamble
- Gambling causes anxiety or insomnia
- You neglect work, studies or relationships due to gambling
- You try to win back lost money
Help is available
If you recognize signs of problem gambling in yourself or a loved one, help is available free of charge and confidentially.
Self-exclusion
You can set a self-exclusion on most casino sites. Most licensed casinos offer self-exclusion options.
New Zealand: government help and support
New Zealand Government guidance lists support for people worried about gambling, including the Gambling Helpline and ways to find local help. The service is for people affected by their own gambling or someone else’s.
Open New Zealand support informationAge limits
All gambling is intended only for those aged 18 and over. Casinos are required to verify players' ages. Underage gambling is strictly prohibited.