Responsible Gaming

Gambling Should Be Entertainment

At ashbenmedical.com, we believe that playing PayID pokies and other casino games should always be a form of entertainment — never a way to earn money, pay bills, or escape financial difficulties. Gambling outcomes are based on chance, and the odds are always in favour of the operator over the long term.

Please remember these key principles before you play:

• Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
• Never borrow money or use credit to gamble.
• Set a budget and time limit before you start — and stick to it.
• Never treat gambling as a source of income or a solution to debt.
• Take regular breaks and balance gambling with other activities.

Age Verification — 18+ Only

In Australia, you must be at least 18 years of age to gamble legally, whether online or in person. Underage gambling is illegal and can cause serious harm.

Licensed operators are required to verify the age and identity of all customers. If you share your device with minors, we strongly recommend:

• Never sharing your account details, passwords, or payment information.
• Logging out of gambling accounts after every session.
• Installing parental control software such as Net Nanny or CyberPatrol to block gambling sites.
• Keeping bank cards and PayID credentials secure and out of reach of children.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can affect anyone. Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you or someone you care about:

• ☐ Chasing losses — gambling more to try to win back money you've lost
• ☐ Hiding your gambling or lying to family and friends about how much you spend
• ☐ Gambling with money meant for rent, bills, groceries, or other essentials
• ☐ Borrowing money, selling belongings, or going into debt to fund gambling
• ☐ Spending more time or money on gambling than you intended
• ☐ Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when you try to cut down or stop
• ☐ Gambling to escape stress, loneliness, depression, or other problems
• ☐ Neglecting work, study, relationships, or responsibilities because of gambling
• ☐ Trying unsuccessfully to reduce or stop gambling on your own

If you ticked even one or two of these boxes, it may be time to take a break and consider speaking with a professional. Recognising the signs early is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Self-Help Tools

Reputable online casinos offer a range of tools to help you stay in control. We encourage you to use them before problems develop:

• Deposit Limits: Cap how much money you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Loss Limits: Set a maximum amount you're prepared to lose within a set period.
• Wager Limits: Restrict the total amount you can bet over a given timeframe.
• Reality Checks: Enable on-screen reminders showing how long you've been playing and how much you've spent.
• Session/Time Limits: Automatically log out after a set period of play.
• Cooling-Off Periods: Take a short break (24 hours to several weeks) from your account.
• Self-Exclusion: Block yourself from a gambling site for an extended period or permanently.

BetStop — Australia's National Self-Exclusion Register

Australian residents can register with BetStop (www.betstop.gov.au), the free national self-exclusion register. A single registration blocks you from all licensed Australian online and telephone wagering services for a period of your choosing — from 3 months to a lifetime.

Support Organisations

Free, confidential help is available 24/7 across Australia. You are not alone.

Australia

• Gambling Help Online — www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
  Free, confidential support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including live chat, email support, and self-help resources for gamblers and their families.
• National Gambling Helpline — Call 1800 858 858
  Free telephone counselling and referral to local face-to-face support services across every Australian state and territory.
• BetStop — www.betstop.gov.au
  The Australian Government's National Self-Exclusion Register for online and phone wagering.
• Gamblers Anonymous Australia — www.gaaustralia.org.au
  Peer-support meetings based on a 12-step recovery program, held in person and online.
• Lifeline Australia — Call 13 11 14 — www.lifeline.org.au
  24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention if gambling is affecting your mental health.

International Resources

• GamCare (UK) — www.gamcare.org.uk
• GamStop (UK) — www.gamstop.co.uk
• Responsible Gambling Council (Canada) — www.responsiblegambling.org
• National Council on Problem Gambling (US) — www.ncpgambling.org

If Gambling Is No Longer Fun, Seek Help

If your gambling is causing stress, financial hardship, or harming your relationships, please reach out today. Help is free, confidential, and non-judgemental — and recovery is absolutely possible.

Call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 or visit Gambling Help Online now. Taking the first step is the hardest — and the most important.

Remember: when the fun stops, stop.