Self Exclusion, The Smartest Bet You Can Make
We all have that one thing that is a little harder to say no to. For some people it is late night Uber Eats orders that somehow turn into three deliveries in a weekend. For others it is the quiet thrill of placing a sports bet during a game. Just a small one. Just to make the match more interesting.
Sometimes it is the quick rush of scratching a digital lottery ticket on your phone while you wait for the bus.In the moment it feels harmless. A few dollars here, Maybe $20 there. But over time those small moments can quietly add up. Suddenly your bank account feels tighter than it should. Bills feel heavier. Your money disappears faster than you expected.
And if gambling is involved, the stakes can grow much faster than most people realise.
The truth is that millions of Australians struggle with gambling in some form. Not just the dramatic stories you see on the news, but everyday people who slowly find themselves spending more than they meant to.
That is where something called self exclusion can help. It is one of the simplest and most powerful tools available for anyone who wants to step away from gambling and take back control of their money.
And importantly, it does not rely on willpower.
Gambling In Australia, The Numbers Most People Do Not See
Australia has one of the highest gambling rates in the world.
In fact, Australians lose more money per person on gambling than any other country.
Every year Australians lose around 31 to 32 billion dollars to gambling.
To picture that number, imagine every adult in Australia losing about 1,555 dollars every year.
That is multiple rent payments for many people. It is 3 months of groceries.
It is a holiday that never happened.
And those numbers only represent the money lost. They do not include the stress, relationship strain, or mental health impact that can come with gambling harm.
Gambling is also incredibly common Around 73 % of Australian adults gamble in some form, whether that is lotteries, sports betting, pokies, or casino games.
Of those people, about 38 % gamble every single week.
For many people it stays casual. A lottery ticket here and there.
But for a significant number of Australians, gambling slowly becomes something more serious.
Research estimates that around 2.9 million Australians are at risk of developing gambling problems.
More than 620,000 Australians are already considered problem gamblers.
That means roughly one in six Australians experience some level of gambling harm.
Which means if you have a group chat with six friends, chances are someone in that group is struggling with gambling right now.
Pokies, The Machines That Cause The Biggest Losses
When people think about gambling, they often think about sports betting or casino tables.
But in Australia, the biggest losses actually come from something much more ordinary.
Pokie machines. You see them in pubs, clubs, and casinos across the country.
They are easy to access, fast to play, and designed to keep people sitting in the same chair for long periods of time. Almost half of all gambling losses in Australia come from pokies alone.
That equals around 13 billion dollars every year. In some places the losses are even more extreme. In New South Wales alone, pokies account for around 24 million dollars in losses every single day.
That works out to roughly one million dollars every hour. These machines are not random entertainment. They are carefully engineered to keep players engaged.
Lights, sounds, near misses, and quick spin cycles all work together to create the feeling that the next win is just around the corner.
Even when people know the odds are against them, the experience can make it very difficult to walk away.
Why Gambling Can Be Hard To Stop
Many people assume gambling problems come from a lack of discipline. But that is not the full story. Modern gambling platforms are designed to keep people playing. Sports betting apps send notifications before big games. Online casinos offer free credits or bonus bets. Pokie machines create the illusion of “almost wins” that make players feel like they are close to hitting something big.
All of these features are carefully designed to keep the cycle going.
You play.
You lose.
You try again to win it back.
This cycle is often called chasing losses, and it is one of the most common patterns seen in gambling harm. A person might think they just need one good win to recover the money they have already lost. But the odds rarely work that way. Instead the losses often grow larger over time. For some people gambling also becomes a way to escape stress or difficult emotions.
A rough week at work, Financial pressure, Loneliness, The temporary distraction of a bet or a game can feel like relief in the moment. But the financial consequences often make those problems worse later.
What Self Exclusion Actually Means
Self exclusion is a tool that allows people to block themselves from gambling services.
Instead of relying on willpower, you create a barrier that makes it harder to access gambling platforms. Think of it as putting a lock on the door between you and something that is causing harm.
Self exclusion can apply to:
Sports betting apps
Online casinos
Lottery websites
Pokie venues
And sometimes even other spending platforms like buy now pay later services. The key idea is simple. You voluntarily ask the platform to prevent you from using their services for a certain period of time.
Once the exclusion is active, the company must stop allowing you to gamble. In Australia there is also a national system that makes this process easier.
BetStop, Australia’s National Self Exclusion Register
Australia now has a national gambling self exclusion program called BetStop. BetStop allows people to block themselves from all licensed online and phone betting services in Australia with one registration.
Once someone signs up, betting providers must close their accounts and prevent them from opening new ones during the exclusion period.
People can choose different timeframes, including:
Three monthsSix monthsOne yearOr permanently
During that time betting companies cannot send promotional messages, allow new bets, or reopen accounts. This system helps people avoid the cycle of closing one betting app only to download another one later.
You can register at:
Signs Gambling Might Be Becoming A Problem
Not everyone who gambles develops a problem. But there are some warning signs that gambling may be starting to cause harm:
You might recognise a few of these.
You often spend more money than you planned.
You feel the urge to keep playing after losing.
You find yourself hiding gambling from friends or family.
You feel anxious or stressed about money after gambling.
You borrow money to keep playing.
You try to cut back but struggle to stop.
You chase losses by placing more bets to try and win money back.
If any of these feel familiar, it does not mean something is wrong with you. It simply means it might be time to step back and look for support.
Why Self Exclusion Can Be So Powerful
One of the hardest parts of breaking a gambling habit is the constant access. Betting apps are always in your pocket. Pokie venues are often in everyday places like pubs or clubs.When access is easy, it becomes much harder to resist the impulse to play.
Self exclusion changes that environment, It removes the immediate option. Without the ability to place a bet or open an app, the impulse has time to pass. That pause can make a huge difference. For many people it creates space to rebuild healthier habits around money and spending. It also removes the daily temptation that can keep people stuck in the gambling cycle.
Most importantly, It is about protecting your future self.
What To Do If You Are Struggling With Gambling
If gambling is starting to feel stressful or difficult to control, there are many ways to get help. Support services exist specifically to help people through this experience without judgment. Here are some options available in Australia.
Gambling Help Online
A free and confidential support service available 24 hours a day.
You can chat with a counsellor online or find local services.
https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
Phone support is also available on 1800 858 858.
Lifeline
If gambling stress is affecting your mental health or emotional wellbeing, Lifeline offers crisis support and counselling.
Call 13 11 14 or visithttps://www.lifeline.org.au
Financial Counselling Australia
Financial counsellors can help people manage debts, create plans, and navigate financial recovery.
https://www.financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au
These services are confidential and designed to support people without shame.
Many people who seek help say they wish they had done it sooner.
Supporting Someone Else Who Is Struggling
Sometimes gambling harm shows up in the life of someone you care about. You might notice they are often short on money, stressed about finances, or spending long periods gambling.
Supporting someone in that situation can feel difficult. The most helpful first step is usually conversation.
Approach the topic calmly and without judgment. Focus on how you care about them rather than criticising their behaviour. You might say something like:
“I noticed you seem really stressed about money lately and I just wanted to check in.”
Or
“If gambling is feeling overwhelming, there are some really good support services that can help.”
Encouraging them to explore self exclusion or support services can be a positive step.
At the same time, remember that you cannot control someone else's decisions. Professional help can make a big difference.
Taking Back Control Of Your Money
Gambling companies spend enormous resources designing products that keep people playing. Notifications, bonuses, advertising, and constant availability all make it easier to gamble more than planned.
Self exclusion flips that dynamic. It puts control back in your hands. Instead of constantly resisting temptation, you remove the temptation entirely. For many people it becomes the turning point that allows them to rebuild financial stability.
Money that once disappeared into bets can start going toward things that actually improve life.
If gambling has started to feel stressful, overwhelming, or out of control, you are far from alone. Millions of Australians experience gambling harm every year.
But there are tools that can help. Self exclusion is one of the most powerful steps you can take to protect your finances and your wellbeing. It is about choosing a future where your money works for you instead of disappearing into bets. And if you need support along the way, help is always available.
You deserve financial stability, peace of mind, and the freedom that comes with feeling in control of your money again.
***Please remember our blogs aren’t intended as financial advice - they’re intended only as a starting point to give you a little extra info! For more in-depth advice catered to your personal financial position, please see a certified financial advisor.