Responsible Gambling at Pokiez

Responsible Gambling at Pokiez

Pokiez exists to give you an enjoyable, entertaining way to spend your leisure time playing pokies and casino games online. That's it. It should never become a source of stress, a way to chase losses, or something that interferes with your work, relationships, or finances. This page sets out the safer-gambling tools available to you, how to recognise when play might be becoming a problem, and where to find real, confidential support in Australia. Everything here is written plainly because this topic deserves clarity, not marketing language.

You must be 18 or older

Pokiez is strictly for adults aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly allow anyone under 18 to hold an account, deposit funds, or play any game on our platform. If you are under 18, or if you are helping someone under 18 access this site, please close this page now. Age verification checks may be requested at any point, including before a withdrawal is processed, and accounts found to belong to a minor will be closed immediately with funds handled in line with our terms.

Our approach to safer gambling

We operate under an international licence and offer real-money pokies, table games and live casino to Australian players who choose to play at their own discretion. Because the choice to play sits with you, we think it's our job to be upfront about the tools that help you stay in control, and honest about what problem gambling can look like. None of the tools below cost anything to use, and none of them require you to explain yourself or justify your decision. You are entitled to set whatever limits feel right for you, at any time.

Tools to help you stay in control

Every player's relationship with gambling is different, so we offer a set of account controls you can adjust to suit your own habits and budget. Think of these as guardrails you set for yourself, not restrictions imposed on you.

Deposit limits

A deposit limit caps how much money you can add to your account over a day, week or month. Once you hit the cap, the system won't let you deposit further until the period resets. This is one of the simplest ways to keep your gambling spend inside a budget you've decided on in advance, when you're thinking clearly, rather than in the moment.

Loss limits

A loss limit works a little differently to a deposit limit: it caps the net amount you can lose over a set period, regardless of how many separate deposits that involves. If your losses reach the limit you've set, further real-money play is paused until the period ends. This is a useful tool if you find that a single losing session tends to lead into another top-up, and then another.

Time limits and session reminders

It's easy to lose track of how long you've been playing, especially late at night or when a game is on a hot streak. A time limit lets you set a maximum session length, after which you'll be logged out automatically. Session reminders are a lighter-touch version: a pop-up notification that tells you how long you've been playing so far, without ending the session, giving you a natural moment to decide whether to keep going.

Reality checks

Reality checks are periodic on-screen summaries that appear during play, showing your session length and your net win or loss so far. They exist because time and money can both become hard to track once you're absorbed in a game. A reality check doesn't stop play, it simply gives you the information you need to make an informed choice about continuing.

Self-exclusion

If you decide you need a proper break from gambling altogether, self-exclusion lets you close off access to your account for a period you choose, or on a permanent basis. During a self-exclusion period you won't be able to log in, deposit, or receive marketing messages from us. Self-exclusion is a firm, structured pause, and it's there for anyone who feels they need more than a limit, they need a full stop.

Cooling-off and take-a-break periods

Not every situation calls for full self-exclusion. A cooling-off period is a shorter timeout, typically a day to a few weeks, that temporarily locks your account while you step back and reassess. Many players use this after a rough session, simply to put some distance between themselves and the next login.

How to set these tools up

1. Log in to your Pokiez account and go to your account or profile settings.
2. Look for the responsible gambling or account limits section.
3. Choose the tool you want: deposit limit, loss limit, time limit, cooling-off, or self-exclusion.
4. Set the amount or duration that feels right for you, then confirm.
5. If you want to lower a limit, this usually takes effect straight away. Increasing a limit or lifting a self-exclusion is deliberately slower, with a short waiting period, because that pause matters.

If you can't find a setting you're after, or you want to talk through your options before deciding, contact our support team through the site and they can walk you through it.

Recognising the signs of problem gambling

Problem gambling doesn't always look dramatic. It often builds slowly, through small changes in behaviour and thinking. Some signs worth paying attention to, in yourself or someone close to you, include:

• Spending more time or money on pokies than you planned to, on a regular basis
• Chasing losses, believing the next bet will "win it back"
• Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when not gambling, or when trying to cut back
• Lying to family or friends about how much time or money is going into gambling
• Borrowing money, selling belongings, or dipping into savings or bill money to keep playing
• Gambling to escape stress, boredom, sadness, or other difficult emotions
• Neglecting work, study, sleep, or relationships because of time spent gambling
• Feeling unable to stop, even when you want to and have tried before

If a few of these sound familiar, it doesn't mean anything is broken or wrong with you. It means it's a good time to use one of the tools above, and to reach out for support if you'd like to talk it through with someone who understands.

Where to get help in Australia

Support is free, confidential, and available whether you're worried about your own gambling or someone else's.

• Gambling Help Online: call 1800 858 858, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au for live chat, forums, and self-help resources.
• Lifeline: call 13 11 14 for crisis support at any hour, if gambling-related distress is affecting your mental health.
• Local financial counselling services can also help if gambling has led to debt, and referrals are available through Gambling Help Online.

You don't need to have hit rock bottom to make that call. Reaching out early, while things still feel manageable, is often the easiest time to turn things around.

Keeping play a positive part of your life

A few habits go a long way toward keeping gambling in the "fun entertainment" column rather than letting it creep somewhere else. Only ever gamble with money you can afford to lose, and treat that amount as the cost of entertainment, not an investment. Set your deposit and loss limits before you start playing, not partway through a session. Take regular breaks, and avoid playing when you're tired, upset, or after a drink or two, since judgement tends to slip in those moments. Never borrow money to gamble, and never use gambling as a way to solve money problems.

Pokiez would rather you played less and enjoyed it more than played more and regretted it. If gambling has stopped feeling like fun, that's the signal to pause, use the tools on this page, or speak with Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858.

Frequently asked questions

Can I set more than one limit at a time?

Yes. Deposit limits, loss limits and time limits can all be active on your account at once, and each one operates independently of the others.

How quickly does self-exclusion take effect?

Self-exclusion takes effect immediately once confirmed. Reversing it, if you choose a temporary period, involves a short waiting window rather than instant reactivation, by design.

Is Gambling Help Online only for people with a serious problem?

No. The service is for anyone with a question or concern about gambling, at any stage, including friends and family members who just want to understand what's going on.

Can someone else set limits on my account for me?

No, account controls need to be set by the account holder for security reasons. If you're concerned about someone else's gambling, Gambling Help Online can advise on how to support them.

Do these tools cost anything to use?

No. Deposit limits, loss limits, time limits, reality checks, cooling-off periods and self-exclusion are all free to set up and use on your Pokiez account.