Responsible Gaming

What responsible gaming means

Responsible gaming means making deliberate choices about when, how often and how much you gamble. It involves treating gambling as a form of paid entertainment and accepting that losses are part of the experience. There is no guaranteed strategy for winning, and past results do not predict future outcomes.

Before opening a game or placing a bet, consider whether gambling fits comfortably within your budget, schedule and personal circumstances. Only use money that you can afford to lose after essential expenses have been covered. Never use money set aside for rent, bills, food, education, transport or other important needs.

A safer approach also means keeping gambling separate from other areas of life. Avoid gambling when you are upset, tired, under the influence of alcohol or other substances, or trying to recover from a previous loss. Strong emotions can affect judgement and make it harder to follow a plan.

• Decide your time and spending limits before you begin.
• Keep gambling funds separate from money needed for everyday life.
• Take regular breaks and do not play continuously for long periods.
• Accept losses as a cost of entertainment rather than trying to win them back.
• Balance gambling with work, family, hobbies, exercise and other activities.
• Never borrow money or use credit to continue gambling.
• Do not gamble to manage stress, loneliness, sadness or financial pressure.
• Do not rely on gambling as a source of income or a financial plan.

Plan your play before you start

Making a simple plan before you play can help you stay in control. Decide the maximum amount you are prepared to spend and the amount of time you are prepared to spend. Treat both limits as firm boundaries, not targets to be extended if the session does not go as expected.

Set a gambling budget

Include gambling in your discretionary entertainment budget, alongside activities such as dining out, streaming services or leisure events. Do not set a budget using essential income, savings intended for a specific purpose, emergency funds or money belonging to someone else. Review your budget regularly and reduce it if your financial circumstances change.

Set a time limit

Time can pass quickly during online play. Use a timer, calendar reminder or another practical prompt to help you finish when planned. Take breaks away from the screen, check in with yourself and avoid extending a session simply because you are winning or losing. Do not allow gambling to interfere with work, study, sleep, relationships or other responsibilities.

Keep track of your activity

Review your deposits, withdrawals, wagers and time spent playing. Looking at your activity honestly can help you identify patterns that are easy to miss during a session. If you are surprised by the amount of time or money involved, consider reducing your activity or taking a complete break.

Do not treat gambling as an investment. A win is not an income source, and a losing session is not a debt that must be recovered. Setting a personal loss limit before playing can help prevent a temporary result from becoming a larger financial or emotional problem. Chasing losses often leads to further losses and can make it harder to stop.

Avoid impaired decisions

Do not gamble when you are affected by alcohol, drugs, medication that impairs concentration or intense emotions. If you notice that you are making decisions more quickly, increasing your stakes without planning or ignoring your limits, stop the session and take time away from gambling.

Safer-play tools and account breaks

Depending on the services available on your account, safer-play controls may help you manage your activity. These controls can include deposit limits, loss limits, session reminders, activity statements, cooling-off periods and self-exclusion. Read the information provided with each tool so you understand what it does and when it takes effect.

Limits

A limit can restrict the amount you deposit, lose or spend over a selected period. Choose an amount that is affordable before you start playing. A limit should be set at a level that supports your budget, not at the highest amount the account may allow. Where a change requires a delay before taking effect, continue to follow your existing lower limit during that period.

Cooling-off periods

A cooling-off period is a temporary break from gambling. It can be useful when you feel distracted, are playing more often than planned or want time to review your habits. During a break, avoid creating another account or using another service to continue gambling. Use the time to consider your budget, routines and any support you may need.

Self-exclusion

Self-exclusion is a stronger step for people who want to stop gambling for a defined period or indefinitely. If you choose self-exclusion, follow the instructions carefully and do not attempt to bypass the restriction. A self-exclusion request should be treated as an important commitment to your wellbeing.

Account closure

If taking a break is not enough, consider closing your account and removing access to gambling services. You can also make gambling less convenient by removing saved payment methods, turning off promotional notifications and using device or financial controls that support your decision.

If you need help using a safer-play feature, review the relevant account information or contact the available customer support channel. Do not wait for a concern to become serious before asking for assistance. A request for information about limits or account restrictions is a sensible step towards maintaining control.

Recognising when gambling may be a problem

Gambling can become harmful gradually. A problem is not defined only by the amount of money lost. The effect on your mood, relationships, work, studies, sleep and daily responsibilities is also important. You do not need to wait until a crisis occurs before seeking help.

• Spending more time or money gambling than you intended.
• Trying to win back losses by increasing bets or continuing for longer.
• Feeling restless, irritable or anxious when you cannot gamble.
• Hiding gambling activity, losses or account information from family or friends.
• Borrowing money, selling possessions or using credit to gamble.
• Missing work, study, appointments or family commitments because of gambling.
• Gambling to escape stress, loneliness, sadness or other difficult feelings.
• Repeatedly promising to stop or cut back but being unable to do so.
• Feeling guilt, shame or distress after gambling and then returning to play.
• Experiencing financial, relationship or health problems linked to gambling.

If any of these signs apply to you, stop gambling and speak with someone you trust. Consider using a cooling-off period, self-exclusion or account closure immediately. A trusted friend, family member, counsellor or qualified gambling support service can help you make a practical plan without judgement.

Support is also available for people affected by another person's gambling. If someone close to you is gambling harmfully, protect shared finances, avoid covering up losses and seek independent advice. Set clear boundaries and remember that you are not responsible for controlling another adult's gambling.

If gambling has created immediate financial, personal or safety concerns, seek urgent assistance from an appropriate local support service or emergency service. If you feel at risk of harming yourself or someone else, contact emergency assistance in your location without delay.

Age, account safety and legal information

Gambling is for adults who meet the applicable minimum age and legal requirements. Do not allow children or other underage people to access your account. Keep your login details private, use appropriate device security and log out when you have finished playing. If you believe another person has accessed your account, stop using it and report the concern through the available account support process.

Parents and guardians can help reduce the risk of underage access by supervising devices, using strong passwords, enabling suitable parental controls and keeping payment details secure. No online system can replace active supervision and responsible account security. Avoid saving login details on shared devices and update passwords if you believe they may have been disclosed.

Play only where permitted

Your ability to use online gambling services depends on your location and the laws that apply to you. Players in Australia should only access gambling services where permitted and should consider any applicable state, territory or federal requirements. It is your responsibility to understand the rules that apply to your circumstances.

Make an early decision

Lisboa7 Casino encourages informed choices and safer gambling practices, but no tool can guarantee that gambling will remain harmless. If you are concerned about your gambling, act early, use the available controls and seek independent support. Taking a break is a positive decision, not a failure.

Responsible gaming is an ongoing process. Review your habits regularly, keep your limits realistic and be honest about how gambling affects your life. If your circumstances change, your gambling plan should change as well. Stopping altogether is always an available option, and seeking help can make that decision easier to maintain.