Responsible Gaming

A balanced approach to online gaming

Responsible gaming means making conscious decisions about when, how often and how much you play. It involves understanding that casino games are based on chance, outcomes cannot be guaranteed and losses are always possible. No strategy can ensure a win, and previous results do not determine what may happen next.

Gaming should be one form of leisure among other activities. It should not replace work, study, family time, exercise or social connections. Only play with money you can comfortably afford to lose after essential expenses have been covered. Never use money set aside for rent, bills, food, education or other important commitments.

Before opening a game, consider whether you are in the right frame of mind. Avoid playing when you are upset, tired, stressed, under the influence of alcohol or other substances, or trying to recover money lost in an earlier session. Taking a pause can help you make clearer decisions.

Important principles to remember

• Gambling is entertainment and not a reliable source of income.
• There is no guaranteed method for winning a casino game.
• A loss is not a reason to increase your stake or continue playing.
• Set a budget and time limit before you begin, then follow them.
• Never borrow money, sell belongings or use credit to fund gambling.
• Do not gamble to escape personal difficulties or change your mood.
• Take regular breaks and keep gaming in proportion to the rest of your life.
• Only adults who meet the applicable legal age requirements should gamble.

Practical tools for staying in control

Planning your gaming in advance can make it easier to keep your activity within comfortable limits. Decide how much time and money you are prepared to spend before you log in. Once your limit has been reached, stop for the day rather than adding more funds or extending the session.

Set a spending limit

Choose a gaming budget that does not affect your ordinary living costs. Treat the budget as an entertainment expense, similar to money spent on dining, films or other leisure activities. If account tools are available, use deposit or spending limits to help manage the amount you add over a selected period. A limit should be realistic and should not be increased simply because you have lost.

Set a time limit

Decide how long you intend to play and use an alarm, calendar reminder or another practical prompt to help you finish on time. Avoid playing continuously for long periods. Stand up, move away from the screen, have some water and return to other activities when your planned session ends.

Keep track of your activity

Review your deposits, withdrawals, wins, losses and time spent gaming. Looking at your activity in a calm moment may help you understand your habits more clearly. If you are surprised by the amount of time or money involved, consider reducing your limits, taking a longer break or using a self-exclusion option.

Avoid chasing losses

Chasing losses is the attempt to win back money by continuing to play or increasing stakes after a loss. It can quickly lead to decisions that would not normally be made. A loss cannot be recovered by force of will, and the next result is not more likely to be a win because earlier games were unsuccessful. The safest response to a loss is to stop and review your budget.

Use breaks and account controls

If you would like time away from gaming, consider using any available cooling-off, temporary break or self-exclusion features. These controls can help create distance from gambling and make it easier to focus on other priorities. Read the relevant conditions carefully before activating a control, including how long it applies and whether it can be changed during the selected period.

Recognising when gambling may be a problem

Gambling-related harm can develop gradually, and it may not always be obvious at first. You do not need to wait for a serious financial or personal consequence before taking action. If gaming is causing concern, a break and confidential professional support can be useful.

Possible warning signs

• Spending more time or money gambling than you originally intended.
• Repeatedly trying to win back losses or feeling unable to stop.
• Thinking about gambling throughout the day or planning life around it.
• Hiding your gambling, deposits, losses or account activity from other people.
• Borrowing money, missing payments or experiencing financial stress because of gambling.
• Feeling restless, irritable or anxious when you try to cut back.
• Gambling to cope with sadness, stress, loneliness or other difficult feelings.
• Losing interest in work, study, relationships, hobbies or normal responsibilities.
• Making repeated promises to stop or reduce gambling without being able to do so.
• Feeling guilt, shame or regret after a gaming session.

One sign does not automatically mean that you have a gambling problem, but several signs should be taken seriously. Speak with someone you trust and consider contacting a qualified gambling counsellor or support service. Asking for help is a practical step and does not require you to manage the situation alone.

What you can do today

1. Stop playing and avoid making further deposits while you consider your next step.
2. Tell a trusted person what is happening and ask them to support your plan.
3. Review your finances and protect essential money from being used for gambling.
4. Activate a break, spending limit or self-exclusion option where appropriate.
5. Contact a gambling support service, counsellor or health professional for confidential guidance.
6. If gambling has contributed to urgent financial, emotional or personal risk, seek immediate assistance from an appropriate emergency or crisis service.

Support, self-exclusion and safer play commitments

If you feel that gambling is no longer enjoyable or manageable, you can choose to stop. Self-exclusion is a stronger restriction designed to prevent access to gaming for a selected period or under applicable account conditions. Before requesting self-exclusion, consider telling a trusted person and arranging support for the period away from gambling.

When self-exclusion or a temporary break is requested, the relevant account and service conditions will apply. Restrictions may affect access to games, deposits and other account functions. Read the information provided at the time of the request and keep a record of the selected period. Do not open another account or use another person’s account to avoid a restriction.

Support is available through gambling counselling services, health professionals, financial counsellors and state or territory support organisations in Australia. These services can help with practical steps, emotional support, budgeting and conversations with family members. You can seek advice whether you are concerned about your own gambling or the gambling of someone close to you.

Our approach

Stellar Spins Casino aims to provide clear responsible gaming information and encourage players to make informed choices. We may apply account checks, gaming controls or other processes where required by applicable rules and our operating procedures. Players are responsible for keeping their account details secure, following applicable laws and using the available tools appropriately.

If you are under the applicable legal age, do not attempt to create or use an account. Parents and carers should consider using device, payment and account controls to help prevent access by minors. If you believe another person may be using your account or if you need help understanding a responsible gaming option, stop using the service and seek assistance through the available support channel.

Responsible gaming is an ongoing process. Review your limits regularly, take breaks and be honest with yourself about the effect gaming has on your finances, relationships and wellbeing. If the answer is no longer positive, stopping is always an appropriate choice.