Betting on racing and sports should be for entertainment, not a problem. Here’s how to keep it that way – and where to get help if you think things have gone too far for you or someone you know.
The GoBet.com.au team is committed to responsible gambling – it’s at the core of everything we do.
Betting is meant to be fun, and it stops being fun the moment it starts costing you more than you can afford to lose – whether that is money, time, or peace of mind.
Gambling carries real risks, and we take that very seriously – as should you.
Every bookmaker featured on GoBet holds an Australian wagering licence and is bound by the National Consumer Protection Framework.
BetStop – The National Self-Exclusion Register
Before we get into the details of responsible gambling, chances are, if you’re on this page, gambling may already be a problem for you.
BetStop is a free Government register that blocks you from every licensed Australian online and phone bookmaker in a single step.
BetStop allows you to self-exclude for as little as 3 months or up to a lifetime. Registering at BetStop only takes about 5 minutes, and all you need is your mobile number, email, and either a driver’s licence or a Medicare card.
Self-exclude at betstop.gov.au or phone 1800 238 786
What Responsible Gambling Actually Means
Responsible gambling means treating betting as you would any other form of paid entertainment, like a night out or a streaming subscription – not as a way to make money.
You should always know your limits before you place a bet and be honest with yourself about why you’re betting – entertainment vs. an escape vs. chasing losses.
Always stay in control of your time and money, not the other way around, and always understand that the house always has an edge. Losing runs are normal and should not be chased with bigger bets.
Seek help when betting stops being fun an/or it starts to cause you stress.
Are You Still in Control of Your Gambling?
Ask yourself these questions and be honest with yourself. If you answer yes to even just one of these questions, it might be time to seek help or self-exclude via BetStop.
- Do you ever spend more money or time on betting than you originally planned?
- Have you tried to win back losses by betting bigger or betting more frequently?
- Have you lied to anyone about how much you bet or how often?
- Do you bet to escape stress, boredom, anxiety, or low mood?
- Have you missed work, family time, or social events because of betting?
- Have you borrowed money, used credit, or sold things to fund betting?
- Do you feel restless or irritable when you can’t bet?
- Has anyone close to you raised concerns about your gambling habits?
Warning Signs to Look Out For
- Chasing losses with bigger bets or more frequent bets
- Hiding bet receipts, account balances, or statements from people you live with
- Borrowing money or dipping into savings to fund bets
- Withdrawing from family, friends, or activities that you used to enjoy
- Trouble sleeping, irritability, or anxiety when not betting
- Difficulty concentrating at work or skipping other commitments to bet
- Feeling guilty or ashamed after betting sessions
- Telling yourself “one more bet” will fix your problems
Tools Available at Every Licensed Australian Bookmaker
All of the betting sites featured on GoBet are licenced in Australia, and under the NCPF, every Australian-licensed bookie has to offer these responsible gambling tools:
- Deposit limits – set a daily, weekly, or monthly limit on what you can deposit. Increases must wait 7 days and decreases are immediate.
- Activity statements – bookies must send a monthly statement showing your wins, losses, and net position. Make sure you always open it and read it so you know exactly where you sit.
- Take-a-break / time-out – short-term self-exclusion at a single bookmaker (from 1 day up to 6 months).
- Permanent account closure – close your account permanently with a single bookmaker.
- Pre-commitment – set time and loss limits before you start betting.
- Marketing opt-out – you can opt out of all direct marketing (text messages, phone calls, email) without closing your account.
- No credit card deposits – online wagering with credit cards has been banned in Australia since June 2024, so if a bookie is asking for one, it’s not licensed here.
If you’re not sure how to find these tools at any bookmaker’s betting site, search ‘responsible gambling’ in their help center or contact their support team. They’re legally required to help.
Tips to Stay in Control
- Set a budget for the week or month before you log in, not after you’re down
- Use deposit limits as a hard ceiling, not a target
- Bet sober. Decisions made tired, drunk, or upset are bad decisions
- Never bet to chase a loss or recover from a bad week
- Take regular breaks. A weekend off won’t hurt your tipping
- Don’t bet with borrowed money, full stop
- Keep gambling separate from your main bank account if it helps you track spend
- Talk about it. Bottling up wins is annoying, bottling up losses is dangerous
Where to Get Help
Self-Exclusion and Gambling-Specific Help
| Service | What it does | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| BetStop – National Self-Exclusion Register | Block yourself from every licensed Australian online and phone bookmaker in one step. 3 months to lifetime. | betstop.gov.au 1800 238 786 |
| Gambling Help Online | Free 24/7 online chat, email, and phone counselling for anyone affected by gambling. National service. | gamblinghelponline.org.au 1800 858 858 |
| Gamblers Anonymous Australia | Peer support group meetings (in-person and online) using the 12-step model. | gaaustralia.org.au |
| Gambler’s Help (VIC) | Free, confidential counselling and financial support for Victorian residents. | gamblershelp.com.au 1800 858 858 |
| GambleAware (NSW) | NSW Government-funded counselling, financial support, and self-help tools. | gambleaware.nsw.gov.au 1800 858 858 |
| Gambling Help Queensland | QLD-based counselling and family support. | gamblinghelpqld.org.au 1800 858 858 |
| Statewide Gambling Therapy Service (SA) | Specialist therapy service for South Australians affected by gambling. | 1800 858 858 |
| Gambling Help WA | Counselling, financial counselling, and support for WA residents. | gamblinghelponline.org.au 1800 858 858 |
| Anglicare Tasmania Gamblers Help | Free counselling and financial support for Tasmanians. | 1800 858 858 |
| Amity Community Services (NT) | Counselling and support for NT residents affected by gambling. | amity.org.au 1800 858 858 |
| Relationships Australia ACT – Gambling Support | Free gambling counselling for ACT residents. | racr.org.au 1800 858 858 |
Crisis, Mental Health, and Wellbeing Support
| Service | What it does | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeline | 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention. | lifeline.org.au 13 11 14 |
| Beyond Blue | Support for depression, anxiety, and emotional wellbeing. | beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 |
| 13YARN | 24/7 culturally safe crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. | 13yarn.org.au 13 92 76 |
| MensLine Australia | 24/7 telephone and online counselling for men. | mensline.org.au 1300 78 99 78 |
| Suicide Call Back Service | 24/7 phone, video, and online counselling for anyone affected by suicide. | suicidecallbackservice.org.au 1300 659 467 |
| Kids Helpline | Free 24/7 counselling for people aged 5 to 25. | kidshelpline.com.au 1800 55 1800 |
| QLife | Anonymous LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral, 3pm to midnight daily. | qlife.org.au 1800 184 527 |
| Emergency | Immediate danger to yourself or others. | 000 |
Financial, Legal, and Relationship Support
| Service | What it does | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| National Debt Helpline | Free, independent financial counselling for people struggling with debt. | ndh.org.au 1800 007 007 |
| Financial Counselling Australia | Find a free financial counsellor in your area. | financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au |
| MoneySmart (ASIC) | Free government information and tools for managing money. | moneysmart.gov.au |
| Relationships Australia | Counselling, mediation, and family dispute resolution. | relationships.org.au 1300 364 277 |
| Legal Aid (state-based) | Free legal advice for people who can’t afford a private lawyer. | nationallegalaid.org |
Help for Family and Friends
Living with someone whose gambling has become a problem can be exhausting and stressful.
You don’t have to wait for them to ask for help before you reach out. The Gambling Help Online has dedicated family and friends counselling that can help you bring up the topic of problem gambling, and help you with dealing with how it’s impacting your life.
Financial counselling is also free through the National Debt Helpline if gambling debts are putting pressure on your household, and Relationships Australia can help with relationship counselling where gambling has caused damage.
Never lend money or pay off gambling debts for family or friends – it removes a key motivator for change and often doesn’t overcome the problem. Instead, encourage them to speak to a professional or self-exclude via BetStop. Do look after your own mental health.
Australian Regulatory Protections
- Every bookmaker listed on GoBet holds a current Australian wagering licence – you will never see any offshore or unregulated betting sites here.
- The National Consumer Protection Framework requires all licensed online bookmakers to verify your identity before you can bet, provide monthly activity statements, support BetStop, ban credit card deposits, and provide responsible gambling messaging and tools to all users.
- Offshore and unlicensed betting sites and online casinos bypass all of these protections – GoBet will never promote them.
- There are further gambling advertising reforms (commencing January 1, 2027) that further restrict how bookmakers can advertise in Australia.
Strictly 18+
- Betting in Australia is restricted to adults 18 years and older.
- Every licensed Australian bookmaker is legally required to verify your age and identity before allowing you to place a bet.
- If you’re under 18 years of age, this site, and every betting site it links to, is off-limits.
- Parents can use tools like Family Zone, Norton Family, and Apple/Android screen-time controls to block gambling sites at the device or network level.
GoBet’s Commitment as an Affiliate
GoBet doesn’t take bets, hold funds, or run any online wagering products. We are a content site that compares Australian-licensed bookmakers and provides free predictions on sports and racing.
GoBet only features operators that hold a current Australian wagering licence, support BetStop, and comply with the National Consumer Protection Framework.
We never promote inducements, sign-up bonuses, or free-bet offers to general audiences, in line with Australian advertising standards. Any codes that you see on GoBet are purely for affiliate tracking purposes and are not tied to any bonus offers.
If you believe a bookmaker that we feature is doing the wrong thing in any way, please let us know by contacting us here. We will investigate, and we’ll remove them if any concerns are proven true.