Responsible Gaming
Gambling Should Be Entertainment
At holdingspacegradshow.com, we believe that playing real pokies online in Australia should always be a form of entertainment — never a way to earn money, solve financial problems, or escape from everyday life. Gambling outcomes are based on chance, and losses are a normal part of play. Never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose, and never treat gambling as a source of income.
If gambling stops being fun, it's time to stop. Help is always available, free of charge and completely confidential.
Age Verification — 18+ Only
In Australia, you must be 18 years of age or older to gamble legally. All online casinos and pokies sites we reference are required to verify the age and identity of their players.
- Underage gambling is illegal and harmful.
- Never share your account or payment details with anyone under 18.
- If you share a device with minors, consider using parental control software to block gambling content.
- Keep your login credentials secure and always log out after playing.
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've lost
- Hiding your gambling — lying to family or friends about how much time or money you spend
- Borrowing money to gamble — using credit, loans, or selling belongings to fund play
- Neglecting responsibilities — missing work, study, or family commitments because of gambling
- Gambling to escape — playing to avoid stress, anxiety, depression, or boredom
- Increasing stakes — needing to bet more and more to feel the same excitement
- Failed attempts to stop — trying to cut down or quit but being unable to
- Relationship strain — gambling causing arguments, secrecy, or broken trust
- Preoccupation — constantly thinking about gambling or planning your next session
If you recognise even one or two of these signs in yourself, we strongly encourage you to use the tools below or reach out to a support service.
Self-Help Tools
Licensed Australian-facing operators offer a range of tools to help you stay in control. We recommend setting these up before you start playing:
- Deposit Limits — cap how much money you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
- Loss Limits — set a maximum amount you're prepared to lose within a set period.
- Session / Time Limits — restrict how long you can play in a single session.
- Reality Checks — enable on-screen reminders showing how long you've been playing and how much you've spent.
- Cooling-Off Periods — take a short break (24 hours to several weeks) from your account.
- Self-Exclusion — block yourself from gambling for an extended period or permanently. In Australia, you can register with BetStop — the National Self-Exclusion Register at www.betstop.gov.au to exclude yourself from all licensed Australian online and phone wagering services.
Support Organisations (Australia)
If gambling is causing problems for you or someone you love, free and confidential help is available 24/7:
- Gambling Help Online — free, confidential counselling and support across Australia, available 24/7 via chat, email and phone (1800 858 858).
www.gamblinghelponline.org.au - BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register — register to block yourself from all licensed Australian online wagering services.
www.betstop.gov.au - Gamblers Anonymous Australia — peer support meetings across the country.
www.gaaustralia.org.au - Lifeline Australia — crisis support and suicide prevention, 24/7 (13 11 14).
www.lifeline.org.au
Take the First Step Today
Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you think gambling is becoming a problem — even slightly — don't wait for it to get worse. Contact Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au right now. The service is free, confidential, and available around the clock.
Remember: gambling is entertainment. When the fun stops — stop.