Responsible gambling for Kiwi players

The helpline is for anyone affected by gambling: you, your partner, a parent or a mate. You don't need to give your name, and you don't need to be in crisis to call. DIA's page for online gambling players also points to free support. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 111.

Habits that keep it fun

• Set a budget before you start, from money you'd otherwise spend on a night out, and stop when it's gone.
• Set a time limit with your phone's timer. Pokies are fast, and an hour disappears quickly.
• Never chase losses. Another deposit to win back the last one is how small losses become big ones.
• Keep gambling money apart from rent, bills and savings.
• Skip it when you're stressed, low or drinking, when decisions get looser.

Bonuses and safer play

A bonus doesn't change the odds of any game. What it does change is how much you need to bet before you can withdraw. With 30x wagering on deposit plus bonus, a modest deposit can mean thousands of dollars in bets. If that amount of play is more than you planned, skip the bonus. Our bonus guide shows the sums so you can decide with the numbers in front of you.

Warning signs

Gambling harm usually creeps up. Watch for these in yourself or someone close to you:

• Spending more money or time than you meant to, or more than you can afford.
• Going back to win back what you've lost.
• Borrowing, selling things or missing bills to keep playing.
• Hiding how much you gamble, or feeling guilty about it afterwards.
• Using gambling to escape stress, boredom or a low mood.
• Feeling on edge or irritable when you try to cut back.

Any one of these is reason enough to talk to someone.

Limits and blocks

• Casino limits: before you deposit, ask Fair Go's live chat which deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion options it can set on your account.
• Bank blocks: ask your bank whether it can block gambling payments on your cards.
• Phone tools: Screen Time on iPhone and Digital Wellbeing on Android can limit the browser or specific sites.
• Tell someone: a friend who knows your limit makes it easier to keep.

Support for whānau

If someone you care about is gambling in a way that worries you, the helpline supports family and friends in their own right. Pick a calm moment to talk, describe what you've noticed rather than blaming, and protect shared money with separate accounts if you need to. Paying off someone's gambling debts without a plan can keep the cycle going, so get advice first.

Offshore accounts and 1 December 2026

New Zealand's online casino rules change on 1 December 2026, when offshore casinos without a licence application must stop serving NZ. If you hold a balance at any offshore casino, think about withdrawing what you want to keep well before then, allow time for ID checks, and save copies of your transactions and chats. Be wary of messages urging you to deposit or pay a fee to “release” your money. That pressure is a red flag. Our guide to the 2026 law has every date and source.