Responsible Gaming

Last updated: 2026 | cityquest.com.au

Gambling Should Be Entertainment, Not a Way to Make Money

At cityquest.com.au, we help Australians find the best pokies near them — but we also believe gambling should always remain a form of entertainment, never a source of income or a solution to financial problems. Pokies and other gambling products are games of chance: the odds always favour the house, and over time players will lose more than they win. Please gamble only with money you can afford to lose, set a budget before you play, and treat any winnings as a bonus rather than an expectation.

Age Verification — 18+ Only

In Australia, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to gamble. This applies to pokies, casinos, betting shops, lotteries, and online wagering. Licensed venues and operators are required by law to verify the age and identity of their customers. This website is intended for adults aged 18 and over only. If you are under 18, please leave this site and do not gamble.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can affect anyone. Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you or someone you care about:

• Chasing losses — gambling more to try to win back money you have lost
• Hiding or lying about how much time or money you spend gambling
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or going into debt to fund gambling
• Spending money meant for essentials (rent, bills, food) on gambling
• Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, depression, or other problems
• Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to cut down or stop
• Neglecting work, study, family, or relationships because of gambling
• Needing to gamble with larger amounts to feel the same excitement
• Unsuccessful attempts to reduce or stop gambling

If you recognise one or more of these signs, it may be time to seek support. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Self-Help Tools

Licensed Australian gambling venues and online operators offer practical tools to help you stay in control. We encourage all players to use them:

• Deposit limits — set a cap on how much you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly
• Loss limits — restrict how much you can lose within a set period
• Session and time limits — control how long you play in a single session
• Reality checks — regular on-screen reminders of how long you have been playing and how much you have spent
• Self-exclusion — voluntarily ban yourself from venues or online sites for a set period or permanently. In Australia you can register with BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register for online and phone wagering, and use venue-based exclusion programs for pokies in pubs and clubs
• Pre-commitment systems — many Australian pokies venues allow you to set spending limits before you start playing

Support Organisations in Australia

Free, confidential help is available 24/7 for anyone affected by gambling — whether you gamble yourself or are affected by someone else's gambling:

• Gambling Help Online — free, confidential counselling, live chat, and support resources across Australia. Call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
• BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register — exclude yourself from all licensed Australian online and phone wagering services. Visit www.betstop.gov.au
• Gamblers Anonymous Australia — peer support groups nationwide. Visit www.gaaustralia.org.au
• Lifeline Australia — 24-hour crisis support. Call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au

For our international readers, support is also available from GamCare (UK, www.gamcare.org.uk), the Responsible Gambling Council (Canada, www.responsiblegambling.org), and the National Council on Problem Gambling (US, www.ncpgambling.org).

Need Help? Reach Out Today

If gambling is causing you or someone you love harm, please don't wait. Contact Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 — the call is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also speak to your GP or a local counsellor. Remember: help works, recovery is possible, and you are not alone.

Gamble responsibly. Think of the people who need your support. Bet with your head, not over it.