Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can affect anyone. Watch for these warning signs in yourself or someone you know:
- Gambling with money needed for rent, food, utilities or other essentials
- Increasing bet sizes to experience the same thrill (tolerance)
- Feeling restless, irritable or anxious when not gambling
- Returning to gambling to chase losses
- Lying to family or friends about gambling activity
- Jeopardising a job, relationship or important opportunity due to gambling
- Borrowing money to gamble or cover gambling losses
- Gambling as an escape from stress, anxiety or depression
- Repeatedly unsuccessful attempts to control or stop gambling
If you recognise three or more of these signs, consider seeking help from one of the organisations listed above. You do not need to be in crisis to reach out.
Quick Self-Assessment
Answer these questions honestly. If you answer "yes" to two or more, speak to a professional:
- Do you spend more time or money gambling than you intend?
- Have you ever borrowed money or sold something to fund gambling?
- Do you gamble to escape problems or relieve negative feelings?
- Have you lied to family or friends about how much you gamble?
- Has gambling affected your work, studies, or relationships?
- Do you feel you must keep gambling until you have spent all your funds?
- Have you tried to stop gambling and been unable to?
Safe Gambling Tips
- Set a budget. Decide in advance exactly how much you are willing to spend. Treat it like entertainment spending — it is gone once used.
- Set a time limit. Decide how long you will play before you start. Use a timer on your phone.
- Do not chase losses. Losing is part of gambling. If you have hit your budget limit, stop — do not try to win it back.
- Take regular breaks. Step away for at least 15 minutes every hour.
- Avoid gambling when emotional. Decisions made when stressed, sad or drinking are rarely good gambling decisions.
- Never gamble on credit. Only use money you already own.
- Use platform limits. Set deposit and loss limits in your casino account settings.
Responsible Gambling Tools
Deposit Limits
Many online casinos, including Shuffle, allow you to set a maximum deposit limit per day, week or month. Setting this in advance prevents impulsive overspending. Contact Shuffle support to enquire about deposit limit options.
Cooling-Off Periods
A cooling-off period is a temporary pause on your account — typically 24 hours to 6 weeks. During a cooling-off period, you cannot log in or deposit. This tool is useful if you feel you need a short break.
Self-Exclusion
Self-exclusion is a longer-term measure — typically 6 months to several years, or permanently. Your account is closed and you will not be able to register a new account on the platform. Contact Shuffle support to self-exclude.
Blocking Software
Gamban and similar software block access to all gambling websites at the device level. This is one of the most effective tools for people who need a complete break from online gambling. Gamban covers thousands of gambling domains globally.
Underage Gambling Prevention
Gambling is strictly for adults aged 18 and over. If you share a device with minors, consider installing parental control software to block gambling websites. Many ISPs offer free family filtering options.
Shuffle verifies user eligibility and prohibits accounts from individuals under 18. If you suspect an underage person has created a gambling account, contact the platform directly.