Responsible Play
Gaming should be entertainment, not stress. Stay in control, set limits, and know when to take a break.
What is Responsible Gambling?
Responsible gambling means treating gaming as entertainment—not as a way to make money or escape problems.
When you gamble responsibly, you stay in control. You set budgets before you play. You don't chase losses. You take breaks. You can walk away at any time.
The vast majority of people who gamble do so responsibly. But it's important to understand the risks and have tools in place to maintain healthy habits.
Whether you play Chicken Road in demo mode or with real money, responsible gaming principles apply. Even demo mode sessions should have time limits to ensure gaming remains a small part of your life.
Pillars of Responsible Gaming
The foundations of a healthy relationship with gambling.
Entertainment Only
View gambling as paid entertainment, like going to the movies. Try demo mode for risk-free fun.
Set Limits
Decide on time and money limits before you play. Stick to them no matter what happens during your session.
No Chasing
Never try to win back losses. Each session is independent. Chasing losses leads to bigger losses.
Stay Sober
Don't gamble under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Impaired judgment leads to poor decisions.
Take Breaks
Regular breaks help maintain perspective. Step away, even during a winning streak.
Know the Odds
Understand that games have built-in house edges. No strategy guarantees winning.
Setting Effective Limits
Limits are your most powerful tool. Set them before you play, not during.
Money Limits
Decide how much you can afford to lose. This should be money you've budgeted for entertainment—not rent, bills, or savings. Once you've spent it, stop.
Time Limits
Set a timer. It's easy to lose track of time while playing. Whether it's 30 minutes or 2 hours, stick to your limit.
Session Limits
Limit how often you play. Daily? Weekly? Monthly? Decide on a frequency that keeps gaming as occasional entertainment.
Win Limits
Sometimes it's wise to set win limits too. If you're up by a certain amount, walk away. Wins can disappear as quickly as they came.
Warning Signs
Recognizing problem gambling early is crucial.
Financial Signs
- Spending more than you planned
- Borrowing money to gamble
- Hiding gambling expenses
- Neglecting bills or debts
- Selling possessions to fund gambling
Behavioral Signs
- Gambling longer than intended
- Chasing losses
- Lying about gambling
- Unable to stop when ahead
- Neglecting work or family
Emotional Signs
- Gambling to escape problems
- Feeling restless when not gambling
- Mood swings related to wins/losses
- Feeling guilty after gambling
- Anxiety about gambling debts
Relationship Signs
- Arguments about gambling
- Hiding gambling from loved ones
- Choosing gambling over family time
- Losing trust of friends/family
- Isolation from support networks
Self-Assessment Questions
Ask yourself these questions honestly.
Consider your gambling over the past 12 months:
- Have you bet more than you could afford to lose?
- Have you needed to gamble with larger amounts to get the same feeling?
- Have you gone back another day to try to win back money you lost?
- Have you borrowed money or sold anything to get money to gamble?
- Have you felt that you might have a problem with gambling?
- Has gambling caused you health problems, including stress or anxiety?
- Have people criticized your betting or told you that you had a gambling problem?
- Has your gambling caused financial problems for you or your household?
- Have you felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble?
Scoring:
If you answered "yes" to 0 questions, you're likely gambling safely.
If you answered "yes" to 1-2 questions, you may be at risk. Consider reducing gambling.
If you answered "yes" to 3+ questions, you may have a gambling problem. Please seek help.
Responsible Gaming Tools
Most platforms offer built-in tools to help you stay in control.
Deposit Limits
Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits. Once reached, you cannot deposit more until the period resets.
Loss Limits
Set maximum loss amounts. When reached, gameplay is restricted for the defined period.
Session Reminders
Receive notifications about how long you've been playing. Helps maintain awareness of time spent.
Cooling-Off Periods
Take a short break from your account. Typically 24 hours to several weeks.
Self-Exclusion
Block access to your account for extended periods—months or permanently.
Reality Checks
Pop-up reminders showing net spend and time played during your session.
Australian Support Services
Free, confidential support is available 24/7.
Gambling Help Online
National helpline with phone, chat, and online resources.
Gamblers Anonymous Australia
Peer support meetings across Australia for those seeking recovery.
Lifeline
Crisis support and suicide prevention for Australians.
BetStop – National Self-Exclusion Register
Free government service to self-exclude from all licensed Australian online wagering providers.
Self-Exclusion Options
If you need a break or want to stop completely, self-exclusion programs can help.
Platform Self-Exclusion
Most gaming platforms allow you to self-exclude directly from your account settings. This blocks access for a period you choose.
BetStop (National Register)
BetStop is Australia's national self-exclusion register. One registration blocks you from all licensed Australian online wagering providers.
Duration Options
Self-exclusion periods typically range from 3 months to permanent. During exclusion, you cannot access your account or create new ones.
Irreversibility
Self-exclusion cannot be easily reversed. This is intentional—it prevents impulsive decisions to return before you're ready.
Protecting Minors
Gambling is strictly 18+ in Australia.
Gambling is illegal for anyone under 18 years of age.
For Parents & Guardians
- Use parental controls to block gambling sites
- Keep payment methods secure and not accessible to minors
- Talk to children about gambling risks
- Monitor device and internet usage
Filtering Software
Tools to help block gambling content:
- NetNanny
- Cyber Patrol
- Betfilter
- GamBlock
- Device-native parental controls
If a Minor Has Accessed Gambling
Contact the platform immediately. Accounts registered by minors will be closed and any deposits will typically be returned.
Tips for Safe Play
Practical advice for maintaining healthy gaming habits.
Before You Play
- Set your budget and time limit
- Only use money you can afford to lose
- Never borrow money to gamble
- Play when sober and in good mental state
- Consider trying demo mode first
During Play
- Take regular breaks
- Don't chase losses
- Accept that losing is part of the experience
- Pay attention to time spent
- Stop when you've reached your limit
After Play
- Review your session objectively
- Don't immediately return to win back losses
- Discuss gambling openly with trusted people
- Maintain balance with other activities
- Seek help if you're concerned about your habits
General Habits
- Keep gambling as occasional entertainment
- Maintain other hobbies and social activities
- Be honest with yourself and loved ones
- Use platform tools like deposit limits
- Know that help is available if needed
Need Help?
If you're concerned about your gambling or someone else's, help is available. You're not alone.