Responsible Gaming

Gambling should always be treated as a form of entertainment — never as a way to earn money, pay off debts, or solve financial problems. At learnwithsue.com.au, we want our visitors to enjoy pokies and other forms of gaming safely, within their means, and with full awareness of the risks involved. If gambling stops being fun, it's time to stop.

Age Verification — 18+

In Australia, you must be at least 18 years of age to gamble legally, whether at a licensed venue or online. This includes playing pokies, betting on sports, or participating in any form of wagering. Underage gambling is illegal and harmful. If you share a device with minors, consider using parental control software and never leave gambling accounts logged in or payment details saved.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Ask yourself the following questions honestly. If you answer "yes" to one or more, it may be time to seek support:

• Do you chase losses by gambling more to try to win back money?
• Do you hide your gambling from family, friends, or your partner?
• Do you gamble with money meant for essentials like rent, bills, or food?
• Have you borrowed money, sold possessions, or gone into debt to gamble?
• Do you feel restless, irritable, or anxious when you're not gambling?
• Have you tried to cut down or stop gambling but found you couldn't?
• Do you gamble to escape stress, loneliness, or other problems?
• Has gambling affected your work, studies, or relationships?
• Do you lie about how much time or money you spend gambling?

Self-Help Tools

Licensed operators offer a range of tools to help you stay in control. We strongly encourage you to use them:

• Deposit Limits — Set a maximum amount you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Loss Limits — Cap how much you can lose over a set period.
• Session Time Limits — Restrict how long you can play in a single session.
• Reality Checks — Receive on-screen reminders of how long you've been playing and how much you've spent.
• Self-Exclusion — Block yourself from gambling entirely. In Australia, you can register with BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, to exclude yourself from all licensed interactive wagering services in a single step.
• Cooling-Off Periods — Take a short break from your account if you need breathing space.

Additional practical tips: never gamble when drinking alcohol, feeling stressed, or upset; never chase losses; and treat any money spent on gambling as the cost of entertainment — not an investment.

Support Organisations

If gambling is affecting you or someone you care about, free and confidential help is available:

Australia

• Gambling Help Online — Free, confidential, 24/7 counselling and support for Australians. Call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
• BetStop – National Self-Exclusion Register — www.betstop.gov.au
• Gamblers Anonymous Australia — Peer support meetings across the country. Visit www.gaaustralia.org.au

United Kingdom

• GamCare — www.gamcare.org.uk
• GamStop (self-exclusion) — www.gamstop.co.uk

Canada

• Responsible Gambling Council — www.responsiblegambling.org

United States

• National Council on Problem Gambling — www.ncpgambling.org (Helpline: 1-800-522-4700)

Germany

• Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) — Glücksspielsucht helpline and information service.

Take the First Step

If you think gambling may be a problem for you — or for someone close to you — please reach out today. Calling a helpline or speaking with a counsellor is free, confidential, and carries no judgement. Recognising the problem is a sign of strength, not weakness. For immediate support in Australia, contact Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

learnwithsue.com.au is an informational and affiliate website. We do not operate gambling services. Please gamble responsibly — 18+ only. Last updated: 2026.