Our Commitment to Safe Play
Stay Casino takes gambling harm seriously. We believe that online gaming should be an enjoyable leisure activity, not a source of financial stress or personal hardship. For the vast majority of players, a session on the pokies or a few rounds at the live tables is exactly that. But we also know that for some people, gambling can become a problem, and when that happens, the consequences reach well beyond the bankroll.
This page outlines the tools available to you at Stay Casino, how to recognise when gambling stops being fun, and where to turn if you or someone close to you needs support. All players are encouraged to read it, not just those who feel they have a problem right now.
The Legal Framework: What Australian Law Requires
Australia’s approach to gambling regulation is governed primarily by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth), along with state and territory-level legislation that sets obligations around harm minimisation, self-exclusion, and the promotion of responsible gambling. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) enforces online gambling rules at the federal level.
Under these frameworks, gambling operators serving Australian players are required to:
- Provide access to responsible gambling tools including deposit limits and self-exclusion
- Display clear and prominent links to gambling help services
- Not target advertising at people who have self-excluded or who show signs of vulnerability
- Prohibit gambling by persons under 18 years of age
- Not offer credit for the purposes of gambling
Stay Casino operates in alignment with these requirements. If you have questions about how we handle your data or account in relation to responsible gambling obligations, contact our team directly at welcome@stay-cassino-australia.com or call +61 2 9650 1444.
Keeping It Recreational: Healthy Gambling Habits
Most people who gamble do so without ever developing a problem. That said, certain habits help keep it that way over the long term. Before you play, it helps to have a few personal ground rules in place.
Practical Guidelines for Responsible Play
- Set a budget before you start and treat it as the cost of entertainment, not as an investment you expect back
- Only play with money you can afford to lose without affecting your rent, bills, or daily expenses
- Set a time limit and stick to it, regardless of whether you’re winning or losing
- Take regular breaks during a session rather than playing for extended periods without pause
- Avoid gambling when you’re upset, stressed, or under the influence of alcohol
- Don’t chase losses. If a session goes badly, accepting that loss and stepping away is always the right move
- Keep gambling separate from your social and family life, not a replacement for either
Account Tools Available to You
Stay Casino provides a range of account-level tools that give you direct control over your gambling activity. These can be accessed through your account settings or by contacting our support team.
Deposit Limits
You can set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits on your Stay Casino account. Once a limit is in place, it takes effect immediately. Requests to increase a limit will not take effect for 24 hours, giving you time to reconsider. Requests to reduce a limit are applied straight away.
Session Time Reminders
You can configure reminders to notify you how long you’ve been playing. These prompts appear during your session and give you the option to continue or step away.
Reality Checks
At set intervals, a summary of your session activity can be displayed, including time spent and net position. This helps you stay aware of your actual play rather than losing track during a run.
Account Cooling-Off Period
If you want to take a short break without fully closing your account, a cooling-off option allows you to pause activity for a defined period. During this time you won’t be able to log in, receive promotional communications, or make deposits.
Self-Exclusion
If you want to stop gambling at Stay Casino for a longer period, or permanently, you can request self-exclusion at any time. Once in place, your account will be suspended and you will be removed from all marketing. To request self-exclusion, contact our support team directly:
- Email: welcome@stay-cassino-australia.com
- Phone: +61 2 9650 1444
- In person: Level 25, 200 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo NSW 2000, Australia (Monday to Saturday, 9AM to 6PM)
Self-exclusion through Stay Casino does not automatically extend to other gambling platforms. For broader exclusion coverage across multiple operators, we strongly recommend registering with the national self-exclusion register.
BetStop: The National Self-Exclusion Register
BetStop is Australia’s national online gambling self-exclusion service, operated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. Registering with BetStop excludes you from all licensed Australian online gambling services for a period of your choosing, from three months up to a permanent ban. It’s free, it’s quick, and it covers the full landscape of licensed operators rather than just one site at a time.
You can register at www.betstop.gov.au.
Recognising a Gambling Problem
Problem gambling rarely announces itself clearly. It tends to creep in through small changes in behaviour that can go unnoticed or get rationalised away. The following signs may indicate that gambling has moved from a pastime into something more serious.
Signs to Watch For in Yourself
- Spending more than you planned to, or more than you can comfortably afford
- Gambling to recover money you’ve already lost
- Feeling irritable or restless when you’re not gambling, or when you try to stop
- Lying to family members or friends about how much time or money you’re spending
- Borrowing money, selling possessions, or missing bill payments to fund gambling
- Thinking about gambling constantly, including planning your next session during work or family time
- Using gambling as a way to cope with stress, loneliness, or difficult emotions
- Failed attempts to cut back or stop, even when you genuinely wanted to
Signs to Watch For in Someone You Know
- Unexplained financial difficulties or requests to borrow money
- Withdrawal from friends, family, or regular social activities
- Mood swings, particularly agitation, anxiety, or depression
- Secretive behaviour around phone or computer use
- Neglecting work, study, or family responsibilities
If any of these ring true, the right move is to seek support sooner rather than later. Gambling problems respond well to early intervention.
Support Services in Australia
Whether you’re looking for a conversation, professional counselling, or financial help, there are free and confidential services across Australia set up specifically for gambling-related concerns.
Gambling Help Online
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Offers live chat, phone support, and an extensive library of self-help tools. Counselling is free and confidential.
Website: www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
Phone: 1800 858 858
Lifeline Australia
Provides crisis support around the clock for people experiencing significant distress. Gambling harm often intersects with broader mental health challenges, and Lifeline counsellors are trained to help across both.
Phone: 13 11 14
Website: www.lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue
Offers support for anxiety and depression, which frequently accompany gambling problems. Online chat, phone, and extensive resources are available.
Phone: 1300 22 4636
Website: www.beyondblue.org.au
Financial Counselling Australia
If gambling has created financial hardship, free financial counselling is available to help you understand your options and work through debt or financial stress.
Phone: 1800 007 007
Website: www.financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au
Gambling Help Services (State and Territory)
Each state and territory in Australia also funds its own gambling help services with local counsellors and outreach programs. Your GP can refer you to local support, or you can contact Gambling Help Online to find services in your area.
Protection for Minors
Stay Casino does not permit gambling by anyone under the age of 18. Age verification is conducted as part of the account registration process, and accounts found to belong to minors are closed immediately with any funds returned.
If you share a device with younger family members, we recommend using filtering software to restrict access to gambling websites. The following free tools are widely used in Australia:
- Gambling Block tools via Gambling Help Online
- Betfilter and Gamban, both of which can block gambling content across all browsers and devices
- Parental control features built into iOS, Android, and most home routers
No Credit Gambling Policy
In accordance with Australian law, Stay Casino does not offer credit facilities for gambling. All deposits must be made with funds you own. We do not extend loans, advances, or any form of deferred payment arrangement to players for the purpose of funding their accounts.
How to Reach Us
If you want to discuss any responsible gambling concern, request a tool to be applied to your account, or ask a question about your play history, our team is available to help.
- Email: welcome@stay-cassino-australia.com
- Phone: +61 2 9650 1444
- Address: Level 25, 200 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo NSW 2000, Australia
- Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9AM to 6PM
Gambling should add something to your day, not take something away from it. If that balance ever shifts, don’t hesitate to use the tools available to you or reach out to one of the services listed above.