Responsible Gambling
Gambling should be fun, not harmful. Here's how to stay in control.
Our Commitment
At DairyNZ Schools, we believe that gambling should always be an enjoyable form of entertainment — never a source of financial hardship or emotional distress. We are committed to promoting responsible gambling and providing our readers with the information and resources they need to gamble safely.
Tips for Responsible Gambling
Follow these guidelines to help keep your gambling experience positive:
- Set a budget — Decide how much you can afford to lose before you start playing, and never exceed that amount.
- Set time limits — Decide in advance how long you'll play and stick to it. Most reputable casinos offer session time reminders.
- Never chase losses — If you're on a losing streak, walk away. Trying to win back lost money almost always leads to bigger losses.
- Don't gamble when emotional — Avoid gambling when you're stressed, depressed, upset, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Treat it as entertainment — Think of gambling as a cost of entertainment, like going to the cinema, not as a way to make money.
- Take regular breaks — Step away from the screen regularly. It's easy to lose track of time when playing online.
- Balance gambling with other activities — Make sure gambling doesn't become your only hobby or source of entertainment.
- Don't borrow to gamble — Never gamble with money you can't afford to lose, and never borrow money to fund gambling.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
If you recognise any of the following behaviours in yourself or someone you know, it may indicate a gambling problem:
- Spending more money or time on gambling than you can afford
- Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling
- Chasing losses — gambling more to try to recover money you've lost
- Lying to family or friends about how much you gamble
- Neglecting work, study, or family responsibilities because of gambling
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
- Feeling anxious, depressed, or guilty about your gambling
- Gambling to escape problems or relieve negative feelings
Self-Exclusion Tools
Most reputable online casinos offer tools to help you manage your gambling. These typically include:
- Deposit limits — Set daily, weekly, or monthly limits on how much you can deposit.
- Loss limits — Cap the amount you can lose within a specified period.
- Session time limits — Receive alerts or be automatically logged out after a set period of play.
- Cooling-off periods — Take a short break from gambling (e.g., 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days).
- Self-exclusion — Voluntarily ban yourself from a casino for a longer period (typically 6 months to 5 years).
We encourage all players to make use of these tools proactively, not just when problems arise.
Getting Help in New Zealand
If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, the following organisations offer free, confidential support:
- Gambling Helpline NZ — Call 0800 654 655 (free, 24/7) or text 8006
- Gambling Helpline Website — www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz
- The Problem Gambling Foundation — Provides face-to-face counselling across New Zealand
- Lifeline NZ — Call 0800 543 354 for general mental health support
Underage Gambling
Online gambling is strictly for adults aged 18 and over. We strongly oppose underage gambling and urge parents and guardians to take steps to prevent minors from accessing gambling websites. Consider using parental control software such as:
Our Review Standards
When reviewing online casinos, we specifically evaluate each operator's responsible gambling provisions. Casinos that lack adequate player protection tools, self-exclusion options, or transparent terms receive lower ratings regardless of their bonus offers or game selection.