Online pokies are meant to be entertainment, not a source of worry or money problems. This page explains what responsible gambling means, which warning signs to look out for, and where you can get free and confidential help if gambling has stopped being fun.
Online-pokies.nz is an information site. We do not offer gambling ourselves. We do think it matters that anyone who chooses to play does so safely and with open eyes.
Do you or someone close to you need help?
Support is free and confidential. You do not have to deal with it alone.
– Gambling Helpline – support by phone, text and online chat, 24 hours a day, for people who gamble and for those around them. Call 0800 654 655 or free text 8006. The Helpline also runs specialist Māori, Pasifika, Youth and Debt helplines. gamblinghelpline.co.nz
– PGF Services – free, professional counselling for people who gamble and for their families and whānau. Call 0800 664 262 or free text 5819. pgf.nz
– Asian Family Services – support in several languages through the Asian Helpline on 0800 862 342, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm. asianfamilyservices.nz
– Mapu Maia – a gambling support service for Pasifika communities. Call 0800 21 21 22. mapumaia.nz
– Safer Gambling Aotearoa – information on gambling harm, a self-test and a finder for services near you. safergambling.org.nz
If you are feeling overwhelmed, you can also call or text 1737 at any time to talk with a trained counsellor. In an emergency, or if someone is in immediate danger, call 111.
What responsible gambling means
Responsible gambling is about staying in control and treating gambling as a form of entertainment, in the same way as a movie ticket or a night out. You pay for the experience, and you pay with money you can afford to lose.
The basic idea is that gambling should never come at the cost of your finances, your relationships or your wellbeing. As long as it is fun and you stay within limits you set yourself, it is under control. When it stops being fun, or when you play to win back what you have lost, it is time to stop and take stock.
It also helps to remember how pokies work. Every spin is decided by a random number generator, and each game is built so that the casino keeps a share of all the money wagered over time. No system, timing or betting pattern changes that, which is why pokies can never be a way to earn or save money.
Simple habits for staying in control
A few habits make it much easier to keep gambling at a healthy level. They are less about rules and more about awareness.
– Decide beforehand how much money and time you are willing to spend, and stick to it.
– Never gamble with money set aside for rent, bills, food or other essentials.
– Never borrow money to gamble.
– Do not chase losses by playing more.
– Treat any win as a bonus, not as income you can count on.
– Read the bonus terms before accepting an offer, because wagering requirements can keep you playing longer than you planned.
– Take breaks, and avoid gambling when you are stressed, low or have been drinking.
Warning signs to watch for
Gambling harm often develops gradually and can be hard to notice, both for the person gambling and for the people around them. Common signs include:
– You gamble for more money, or for longer, than you intended.
– You try to win back losses by playing more.
– You borrow money, or use money meant for something else, to gamble.
– You hide or lie about how much you play.
– Thoughts about gambling take up more and more of your day.
– Gambling is affecting your work, finances, sleep or relationships.
– You feel guilt, shame or anxiety about your gambling.
You can have a problem even if only one of these fits. If you recognise yourself, there is nothing wrong with asking for support. It is often the thing that helps most.
Test your gambling habits
If you are unsure whether your gambling is a problem, a short self-test can give you an indication. Safer Gambling Aotearoa has a free Test your gambling tool on its website.
You can also simply call or text the Gambling Helpline and talk it through with a counsellor. You do not need to be in crisis to get in touch.
Tools that help you set limits
There are practical tools that put a barrier between you and gambling, or that keep your spending within a level you have chosen in advance.
Limits and breaks on your casino account
Most online casinos let you set deposit limits, loss limits and session reminders in your account settings. Many also offer a time-out for a short break, or self-exclusion that closes your account for a longer period. If you cannot find these settings, ask the operator’s customer support to apply them for you.
Under New Zealand’s Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, licensed operators must verify that players are 18 or over and take steps to minimise gambling harm. Keep in mind that a limit or exclusion set with one operator does not automatically apply to others.
Excluding yourself from venues
In New Zealand you can exclude yourself from the gambling area of a casino, or of a pub or club with pokies. A self-exclusion is a legally binding agreement that can run for up to two years and cannot be cancelled before it ends.
A multi-venue exclusion lets you exclude yourself from several venues in one process, without having to visit each of them. The Gambling Helpline or a gambling support service such as PGF Services can help you set one up.
Other practical steps
– Ask your bank whether it can block gambling transactions on your cards.
– Remove saved card details from casino accounts.
– Delete casino apps and bookmarks from your phone and computer.
– Install blocking software that prevents access to gambling websites.
– Ask someone you trust to help you keep an eye on your spending for a while.
For family, whānau and friends
Gambling harm does not only affect the person who gambles. As someone close to them, you may feel worry, helplessness and stress. It is important to know that you can ask for support too.
All of the services listed above also help families, whānau and friends. A common piece of advice is to talk openly without blaming, to set clear boundaries around money, and to avoid covering gambling debts, because financial rescue often makes the situation worse. Remember that the person has to choose to seek help themselves, but looking after your own wellbeing does not have to wait for that.
Age limits in New Zealand
The minimum age for online casino gambling in New Zealand is 18. You must be 20 to enter a land-based casino, and 18 to bet with the TAB, buy Instant Kiwi tickets or play pokies in pubs and clubs.
If you are under the legal age, gambling is not for you, and nothing on this site should be read as encouraging it.
Our role
Online-pokies.nz describes online pokies and casinos so that readers can make informed choices. We do not give personal gambling advice, and we cannot help with individual casino accounts.
If you find an error on this page, or a contact detail that has changed, please let us know through our contact page. You can also read our terms of use for more about how the site works.