Why Limits Matter
Pokies are fast. A spin can take only a few seconds, and wins are often re-bet straight away, so the total amount wagered can grow much faster than it feels. Every pokie also has a built-in house edge, which means the longer you play, the more you can expect to lose. Our guide on RTP vs actual slot results explains why.
Limits work best when they are set in advance, while you are calm and not in the middle of a session. Decisions made during play, especially after a loss, are much harder to stick to.
Step 1: Set a Budget
Your budget is the most important limit. It is the amount of money you are willing to spend on gambling as entertainment over a set period, such as a week or a month.
- Only use money left over after essentials, such as rent or mortgage, bills, food and transport.
- Treat the budget as the cost of entertainment, in the same way as a ticket to a concert or the cinema. Expect to spend it, not to win it back.
- Never borrow to gamble, and never use money set aside for something else.
- Do not top up your budget once it is gone. Wait until the next period.
Step 2: Set a Session Limit
Split your budget into smaller amounts for each session. If your weekly budget is $50, for example, you might allow $25 for each of two sessions. When a session's amount is gone, the session is over.
What a Session Budget Buys
It helps to understand how quickly money can go. At $0.50 per spin and around 600 spins an hour, you wager about $300 in an hour. On a game with a 96% RTP, the expected cost of that hour is about $12, but in practice your results could range from losing your whole session budget in minutes to finishing ahead.
| Bet per spin | Spins per hour | Total wagered per hour | Expected cost at 96% RTP |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.20 | 600 | $120 | about $4.80 |
| $0.50 | 600 | $300 | about $12 |
| $1.00 | 600 | $600 | about $24 |
| $2.00 | 600 | $1,200 | about $48 |
These figures are averages. Real sessions vary widely, especially on high-volatility games.
Step 3: Set a Time Limit
Time passes quickly when playing pokies, and spins follow one another with few natural breaks.
- Decide how long you will play before you start, such as 30 minutes or an hour.
- Set an alarm on your phone.
- Take regular breaks and step away from the screen or machine.
- Avoid playing late at night or when you are tired.
Step 4: Decide When You Will Stop
A clear stopping rule makes limits easier to keep. Decide in advance that you will stop when:
- Your session budget is gone
- Your time limit is up
- You reach a win you are happy with, such as doubling your session budget
The last point is important. If you finish ahead, consider stopping and keeping the winnings, rather than gambling them again. Treat any win as a bonus, not as extra budget.
Step 5: Use the Tools Available
Deposit Limits on Online Accounts
Under the National Consumer Protection Framework for online wagering, licensed Australian online wagering providers must offer a voluntary deposit limit and prompt customers to set one. Customers can change their limit, but increases do not take effect immediately. Licensed providers must also send monthly activity statements showing your bets, wins and losses.
Many online operators elsewhere offer similar deposit, loss and session limits in the account settings. Set them when you open an account, before you start playing.
Reality Checks
Reality checks are on-screen reminders that show how long you have been playing and how much you have spent. Turn them on if they are available.
Time-Outs and Self-Exclusion
A time-out blocks your account for a short period. Self-exclusion is a longer block for people who want to stop gambling with an operator altogether. BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, lets you block yourself from all licensed Australian online and phone wagering providers in one step.
Limits for Venue Pokies
For pokies in pubs, clubs and casinos:
- Take only your session budget in cash and leave cards at home
- Avoid using ATMs or cash withdrawal facilities at the venue
- Ask about venue self-exclusion if you want to stop playing at particular venues
- Check whether your state offers a pre-commitment system, which lets you set limits on gaming machines. Some states are introducing card-based play and pre-commitment for venue pokies, and the rules differ between states and territories.
Bank Blocks
Many Australian banks let you block gambling transactions on your cards through your banking app or by contacting the bank. Since 11 June 2024, licensed online wagering providers in Australia have also been banned from accepting credit cards and digital currencies such as cryptocurrency.
Blocking Software
Software is available to block gambling websites and apps on your devices. It works best alongside other measures, such as self-exclusion and bank blocks.
Tips for Sticking to Your Limits
- Write your limits down or tell someone you trust.
- Keep track of your spending using activity statements or a simple record.
- Do not gamble when upset, stressed or bored. Emotions make limits harder to keep.
- Avoid gambling after drinking alcohol.
- Never chase losses. Trying to win back money usually leads to losing more. See Pokies Myths Explained.
- Watch your balance, not the number of wins. Many wins pay less than your stake.
If You Find It Hard to Stick to Limits
Regularly going over your limits, raising them after losses or feeling the urge to keep playing can be signs that gambling is becoming a problem. Our guide to recognising gambling harm explains the warning signs, and our Responsible Gambling page lists support services.
Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support 24/7 on 1800 858 858 or through online chat. If gambling has caused money problems, the National Debt Helpline offers free financial counselling on 1800 007 007.