Responsible gambling: thinking beyond NZ dollars

1. 1

   Pick reputable and licensed online casinos

   Those online casinos recommended by Casino.org NZ have already passed all these security checks, so you don’t need to research further.
2. 2

   Check your playing history

   Are you favouring playing time over time with your family or friends? Or maybe it’s detracting from your work performance? These are both red flags.
3. 3

   Set personal limits

   Plan a budget that you’re willing to spend and don’t exceed it. Make sure this is your disposable income, not money you should be spending on food and other necessities.
4. 4

   Don’t gamble under the influence

   No-one makes the best decisions in these scenarios as you won’t be thinking logically.
5. 5

   Understand bonus terms

   It’s important to be aware of wagering requirements and other terms so as not to be pressured into spending more than you realised.
6. 6

   Don't chase losses

   Sometimes you lose, that’s life. Don’t spend more than you budgeted just to ‘give it one more try’.
7. 7

   Test some demos before spending real money

   Free online casino games will give you a good indication whether they are for you or whether you’d rather be doing something else.

How to keep gambling fun

The healthy way to enjoy gambling is by viewing it as a hobby. If you find yourself using it as a substitute for other social activities, you need to take a step back and understand whether gambling has stopped being fun and become a problem. The same applies if you realise that gambling has taken over all other areas of your life. On the other hand, if you treat it like any other hobby - there to serve you when you like - you’re on the right track.

Getting professional help with gambling addiction in New Zealand

Taking the step to ask for help is not an easy one, but there’s no reason to be anxious or scared. New Zealand boasts several organisations with people who are especially trained in helping others overcome gambling problems, and you will receive the best professional care discreetly and for free. Here are some of the top organisations you can reach out to:

What causes gambling addiction?

There is no one thing that causes gambling addiction. A form of mental disorder, there are several things that can lead to addictive behaviour. Some of them may be psychological, particularly if we are going through a difficult time and we use gambling as a means to make us forget this.

For others, it can be a genetic reason, or even perhaps peer pressure. We can’t really know what the reasons are behind gambling addiction. All we know is that it can happen to anyone, but that there are steps that we can take to try and avoid it.

Warning signs of gambling problems

It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your gambling habits, because gambling addiction happens slowly, over time, rather than from one day to the next. There are certain signs that, if spotted in time, can help you stop the problem in its tracks. If your behaviour is showing any of the below signs, now is the time to take action.

1. 1
   You rely on gambling to make money: money should never substitute your real job. It’s a risky endeavour that should be viewed as playing with disposable money, rather than earning a living.
2. 2
   You are keeping your gambling secret: this is possibly because you know that your loved ones and friends would spot the signs that you’re having problems, and you don’t want to face them.You are taking out loans so as to continue gambling: This is a sign that your spending is spiralling out of control and going beyond disposable income.
3. 3
   You are suffering from bouts of anxiety or depression: Your subconscious is already aware that there’s something wrong and is giving you signs to stop and think.
4. 4
   You’re no longer taking good care of yourself: Gambling has become more important than eating well, then grooming yourself or even socialising with other people.

If you spot any of the above signs, stop and think. On this page you’ll find plenty of support options that won’t cost you a dollar so you don’t need to face this challenge alone.

Why playing at a licensed casino is important

One of the first things we mentioned in relation to responsible gambling is the importance of playing at a trustworthy and reputable casino. This is because such platforms will not encourage you to make bad decisions related to gambling.

This is why at Casino.org we only recommend NZ online casinos that are licensed by a reputable gambling regulator. A gambling license automatically means that the site is held legally accountable to protect players and to promote safe and responsible gambling.

All our sites are licensed by bodies like the Malta Gaming Authority, Curacao eGaming and the UK Gambling Commission among others, with some even boasting more than one gambling license.

How are NZ online casinos preventing addiction?

Besides age verification, NZ online casinos offer a suite of responsible gambling tools to help prevent addiction, identify it, and even provide solutions that help. Let’s take a more detailed look at the facilities you can expect to find at a licensed NZ casino.

Gambling website blocking tools

There are also a number of support tools that you can implement yourself so as to create a safer environment. If you know that temptation is a problem for you, set up your social media profiles and your computer to hide gambling adverts.

On Facebook and Instagram, you can choose to hide gambling adverts by adjusting your advert preferences or simply clicking on the ‘x’ if an advert comes up. You can also do the same on Google and YouTube via the Ad Personalisation feature.

• Talk to your children about gambling. Explain to them what gambling is, and why it can be both a fun and enjoyable pastime while also potentially being harmful. Talk to them about the risks of gambling, such as losing money, getting into debt, and developing a gambling addiction.
• Set a good example. If you gamble, make sure that you do so responsibly. Don't gamble more than you can afford to lose, and don't let gambling interfere with your work, school, or relationships. Always prioritise the needs of your child over any gambling related activity.
• Monitor your children's online activity. Be aware of the websites that your children are visiting, and the games that they are playing. Many online games now include gambling elements, and it's important to be aware of these so that you can talk to your children about them.
• Talk to your children about the dangers of loot boxes. Related to monitoring online activity, it’s important to address loot boxes in video games. These are a type of in-game purchase that gives players a random chance of winning a prize. Loot boxes have been linked to gambling addiction, and it's important to talk to your children about the risks before they start buying them.
• Teach your children about financial responsibility: Help them to understand the value of money, and how to make wise financial decisions. This will help them to avoid getting into debt, and to make better choices about gambling.
• Use blocking tools to add a layer of protection: Using parental control tools such as NetNanny (where available) to block potentially harmful sites from being accessed by children is a great way to help protect kids from problem gambling. While the industry is regulated and most markets have legal minimum age requirements for gambling, unregulated and unsafe sites exist. By installing blocking tools you can keep your child from accessing these sites in the first place.
• Be supportive: If you are concerned that your child may be at risk of developing, or have already developed, a gambling problem, be supportive and offer your help. There are many resources available to help children and families who are struggling with gambling problems and can be a big help when dealing with the issue.
• Stay informed: Keeping yourself updated on what's legal in New Zealand means you can pass on accurate information to your child to keep them safe.