Take time away
Step back from gambling and choose an activity without stakes or rewards.
Need support now? Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support. Gambling Help Online ↗ General information only, not medical or financial advice.
On this page
Wellbeing
Put your wellbeing first
Gambling can affect your finances and emotional health. You can seek help before reaching a crisis.
Keep essentials separate
Set aside money for housing, food, bills and savings before considering any gambling spend.
Speak with someone
Support is available if you need advice, a break or help with someone else’s gambling.
Risks
Know the risks
- Gambling results are not a reliable source of income.
- Trying to win back losses can lead to more spending.
- Borrowing, hiding gambling or using essential funds are signs to stop and reassess.
- Promotional credits and free spins can still carry restrictions and financial risk.
For people in Australia, ACMA says online casino games and online slots are illegal online gambling services. Read ACMA guidance.
Money boundaries
Protect your money and essentials
Set limits in advance
Where gambling is lawful, check the account for available deposit and loss controls. A limit is a boundary, not a spending goal.
- Keep essential costs covered; don’t borrow to gamble.
- Check when a requested limit change will apply.
- Confirm whether a limit applies to deposits, losses or both.
- If boundaries are hard to maintain, step away and consider independent support.
Time boundaries
Set time boundaries and take breaks
- 01
Choose a finish time
Decide when to stop before you start, and set a reminder outside the gambling service.
- 02
Make a break count
Close the service, switch off gambling notifications and move on to another activity.
- 03
Check in with yourself
Notice any effects on sleep, work, relationships or how much you think about gambling.
- 04
Reach out for help
If you keep extending sessions or struggle to stop, contact a support service.
Self-exclusion
Winshark self exclusion and access blocks
Self-exclusion can put distance between you and a gambling service. Check what it covers and how it works rather than assuming one request blocks every site.
| Choice | What to check |
|---|---|
| Provider account exclusion | Ask the provider about its process, duration, account coverage and rules for reopening access. |
| National register | BetStop is Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register for Australian licensed online and phone wagering providers. It does not cover every gambling service. |
| Device and finance tools | Ask your device or financial provider which blocking features are available and what they cover. |
For details about the national register, check its coverage and registration information at BetStop.
Warning signs
Notice when gambling may be becoming harmful
Chasing losses
Trying to win money back, raising stakes or staying longer after losing.
Financial strain
Borrowing, falling behind on bills or struggling to protect essential spending.
Everyday changes
Poor sleep, secrecy, arguments or gambling taking priority over work and relationships.
These signs are a reason to seek support; this information cannot assess or diagnose your situation. Gambling Help Online offers tools and resources to help you decide what to do next.
Support
Independent support in Australia
Gambling Help Online
Free, confidential support, including online counselling across Australia.
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National register
Learn about the national self-exclusion register for licensed online and phone wagering.
Claim Bonus
Support
Find Australian Government information about national and state gambling support services.
Play NowYou can seek support if another person’s gambling affects you. A service can help you discuss boundaries and your wellbeing.
Next steps
Choose one practical next step
Speak with a counsellor
Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential online support.
Visit Gambling Help Online →Step away for a while
Close gambling services, pause related notifications and choose something unrelated to gambling. Support can help you plan ahead.
Browse support options →Review register coverage
BetStop covers Australian licensed online and phone wagering. Check its scope and registration process.
Read about BetStop →Get support for yourself
You can ask for help if someone else’s gambling affects your wellbeing, relationships or finances.
Find help →Your questions
Winshark responsible gambling FAQs
When should I seek gambling support?
Whenever you feel it would help. You can reach out before a crisis, including if you’re concerned about your spending or time.
Do Winshark deposit limits prevent all harm?
Limits have specific coverage and are only one part of a broader approach. If you find it difficult to stick to boundaries, consider a break and independent support.
Does BetStop cover every gambling site?
BetStop covers Australian licensed online and phone wagering providers. Check its official scope before relying on it for a particular service.
Can I get support if someone close to me gambles?
Yes. Gambling Help Online provides information and support for people affected by someone else’s gambling.
More information
Further guidance
Winshark responsible gambling guidance for Australian players
Keep play within your boundaries
Gambling is best treated as entertainment, not a way to solve financial problems or manage difficult emotions. Before using Winshark, decide what you can comfortably spend and how much time you can give it, then stick to those boundaries.
Winshark offers games from 100+ providers, across categories including slots, live casino and instant games. A wide choice can make it tempting to keep playing, so pause regularly and don’t chase losses. You must be at least 18 to gamble.
Winshark deposit limits and money choices
Specific Winshark deposit-limit tools and payment limits are not published on the official site. If a limit feature is available in your account, check its terms before using it; if anything is unclear, contact support before depositing.
Only consider gambling with money left after essentials such as rent, bills, food and transport. Keep it separate from household funds, don’t borrow to play and don’t raise a limit to recover a loss.
- Decide your spending boundary before playing.
- Keep track of deposits and withdrawals to understand your spending.
- Stop when you reach your time or spending boundary.
- Avoid gambling when tired, upset, stressed or affected by alcohol.
- After a loss, take a break rather than trying to win it back.
Winshark self exclusion and taking a break
Self-exclusion may help when gambling feels difficult to control. Winshark’s specific self-exclusion process and duration are not published on the official site, so contact 24/7 support to ask about restricting access and any required information.
A break can give you space to reset. Log out, remove saved payment details if possible, switch off gambling notifications and let someone you trust know you’re taking time away. Don’t create another account to get around a restriction.
Recognise warning signs
Concerns can build over time. Signs may include spending more than planned, hiding gambling, neglecting responsibilities, feeling restless when not playing, chasing losses or using borrowed money.
If you recognise these signs, stop gambling and seek support early. A counsellor or Australian support service can help you consider triggers, safety and financial next steps without judgement. If you face immediate danger or thoughts of self-harm, contact emergency services or urgent mental health support.
Winshark safer gambling and support
Winshark describes itself as fully licensed and regulated, but the authority and licence number are not stated here. Support is available 24/7; ask about account restrictions, self-exclusion and any responsible-gambling controls before continuing.
Safer gambling is an ongoing practice, not a one-off setting. Review your spending, keep trusted people informed and seek help early if gambling affects relationships, work, study, sleep or finances. In Australia, local health services and state-based support can offer confidential guidance.
