Responsible Gambling
Many people turn to gambling for the sake of entertainment. Spinning a few reels or playing a game of blackjack is generally not a harmful activity. However, there are cases where things get out of hand. Gambling can turn into a “profit” opportunity or even become a habit, later turning into an addiction.
In recent surveys by Health New Zealand, it was revealed that around 2.4% of New Zealanders are in the problem gambler category. Among the local population, 8.3% are considered “any-risk” gamblers, and more than half of the country regularly participates in gambling activities.
We prioritise safety and security, as well as responsible gambling, at all times when we review pokies, casinos, bonuses, and provide any other data on this website. It is our commitment to give our readers the resources they need to understand responsible gaming practices and have access to important tools. This page outlines our effort to help Kiwi gamblers be responsible and limit their losses and risks while gambling online in New Zealand.
Crucial Responsible Gaming Practices
Being responsible when gambling online starts with learning more about the basic practices. These aren’t just steps for those individuals at risk of problem gambling. Some steps can be great for any kind of gambler, as they help to limit your losses when you gamble online. Kiwis use a wide range of strategies to maintain responsibility when they gamble online. Some of these include:
Limits
One of the most important things you can do when gambling online is set limits for yourself. It’s a good idea to set a limit for each session and make that the amount you deposit. If you deposit $1,000, you might feel intimidated to spend it all in one session. Instead, you could limit yourself to $100 per gambling session. Make this a hard limit. In turn, you’ll be reducing your risk as you won’t push that entire $1,000 into pokies and other games right away.
Self-Exclusion
If you feel that gambling is getting a bit out of hand for you, then it’s important to know when you should start making use of responsible gaming tools. This is also where self-exclusion features come into the picture.
Opting in for a self-exclusion program at an online casino allows you to block gambling activities on the site for a certain period of time. Some people find that taking just a week or a month break from gambling really helps.
Responsible Gambling Resources
Apart from setting limits and understanding the self-exclusion programs, it’s important to kno where you can reach out if you need some help. There are several programs and institutions in New Zealand that offers help for those who find it difficult to control their spending on gambling activities.
Problem Gambling Foundation: This is a local NZ foundation that offers free counselling, advice, and support on gambling addiction. You can contact them if you need help yourself. They can also give you advice on steps you can take if a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction.
Gambling Helpline: Another national helpline that offers advice and counselling on topics related to gambling addiction. It’s a 24/7 helpline that offers free services to anyone in New Zealand.