Responsible Gambling Guide for Checkered Flag Players

Responsible gambling means:

• Playing only with money you can afford to lose.
• Setting time and spending limits before you start.
• Viewing losses as the cost of entertainment, not recoverable.
• Never chasing losses or borrowing to gamble.
• Keeping gambling separate from bills, rent, food and family needs.

Checkered Flag, like all pokies, is designed with a house edge. Over time, the odds favour the venue or casino. Understand this before you play.

Most online casinos and land-based venues offer tools to help you stay in control.

Deposit Limits

Set a maximum amount you can deposit in a day, week or month. Once you reach it, you cannot deposit more until the period resets. This is the single most effective tool for managing spend.

Bet Limits

Decide your maximum bet size before you play. Stick to it, even if you're on a winning streak. Smaller bets mean your bankroll lasts longer and you see more spins.

Session Limits

Set a time limit (e.g. 1 hour) or a loss limit (e.g. $50). When the limit is reached, stop playing. Do not extend the session "just one more spin".

Loss Limits

Decide in advance the maximum you will lose in a session or week. When you hit that amount, walk away. Losses are final.

Reality Check

Many online casinos offer pop-up reminders after 30 minutes or 1 hour of play. These interrupt your session to remind you how long you've been playing and how much you've spent. Use them.

If any of these apply to you, gambling may be becoming a problem:

• You gamble with money needed for essentials (rent, food, bills, childcare).
• You hide gambling from family or friends.
• You chase losses by gambling more to try to win it back.
• You feel anxious or irritable when you cannot gamble.
• You gamble to escape stress, sadness or boredom.
• You've tried to cut back or stop but cannot.
• You borrow money or use credit to gamble.
• Gambling is affecting your work, relationships or health.

If you recognise any of these, reach out for help now. The earlier you act, the easier it is to regain control.

Self-exclusion is a legal agreement between you and a casino or venue that bans you from gambling there for a set period (typically 6 months to 5 years).

How to Self-Exclude

Online casinos:

• Log into your account and navigate to Account Settings or Responsible Gambling.
• Select Self-Exclusion and choose your exclusion period.
• Confirm. Your account will be locked and you cannot log back in or deposit during the exclusion.

Land-based venues (pubs, clubs, casinos):

• Ask staff or management for a self-exclusion form.
• Complete it with your details and the exclusion period.
• The venue will add you to a register and refuse you entry or access to machines.

Multi-Venue Self-Exclusion

Some states offer cross-venue self-exclusion schemes that apply across multiple licensed venues:

• NSW: Liquor & Gaming NSW manages self-exclusion across pubs and clubs. Contact them or ask at your local venue.
• Victoria: The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission runs a scheme for venues.
• Queensland: Contact your local regulator for details.

Self-exclusion is not permanent. When the period ends, you can gamble again. If you want to extend or make it permanent, contact the venue or regulator.

[!RISK] Online gambling carries financial risk. If you are gambling with money you cannot afford to lose, or if gambling is affecting your mental health or relationships, help is available. Contact Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 (free, confidential, 24/7).

Gambling Help Online (National)

• Phone: 1800 858 858
• Website: https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
• Hours: 24/7, free and confidential
• Counsellors can discuss your situation and connect you with local services.

Lifeline (Crisis Support)

• Phone: 13 11 14
• Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au
• Hours: 24/7
• For immediate emotional support or crisis intervention.

GambleAware NSW

• Website: https://www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au
• Information, self-help tools and referrals for NSW residents.

Gambling Help Services by State

All state services are connected to the national helpline; calling 1800 858 858 will route you to your state's service.

1. Never gamble to make money. Checkered Flag and all pokies are games of chance with a house edge. Treat them as entertainment with a cost, not an investment.
2. Set a budget. Decide how much you can afford to lose before you play. Treat that amount as gone the moment you start.
3. Use deposit limits. Most online casinos allow you to set daily, weekly or monthly deposit caps. Use them.
4. Take breaks. Step away from the game every 30 minutes. Stretch, drink water, check the time.
5. Never chase losses. If you lose your session budget, stop. Chasing losses almost always leads to bigger losses.
6. Keep gambling separate from life. Never use money for rent, food, bills or family needs to gamble.
7. Talk to someone. If you're worried about your gambling, tell a trusted friend, family member or counsellor. Shame keeps people silent; speaking up is the first step to change.

Checkered Flag is a medium-to-high volatility pokie with frequent small wins and occasional larger payouts (free games, Hold & Spin, progressives). This can feel rewarding but also encourage longer play.

• Expect to lose. Over time, the house edge means you will lose more than you win.
• Enjoy the features. Free games and Hold & Spin are fun to trigger, but they are not guaranteed to return your losses.
• Set a loss limit. Decide in advance the maximum you will lose in a session (e.g. $50 or $100) and stop when you reach it.
• Do not bet max. Betting the maximum bet size accelerates losses. Smaller bets let you play longer and enjoy more spins.

If you find yourself playing Checkered Flag more often than you'd like, or spending more than planned, use the tools above or contact Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858.

Gambling should be fun. If it stops being fun, it's time to stop.