Even the gods lose.

BetStop: block yourself from every licensed bookmaker

BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register is a free Australian Government service. One registration blocks you from all licensed Australian online and phone betting providers, for anywhere from 3 months up to your whole life.

• Once you're registered, those providers can't let you place a bet or open a new betting account.
• They also have to stop sending you marketing.
• Registering takes about five minutes, and you can nominate someone you trust to support you.
• BetStop doesn't cover pubs, clubs, TAB outlets or other venues (they run their own self-exclusion programs), and it can't block illegal offshore sites.

Go to betstop.gov.au

Keep it in check

• Set a budget before the season or the round starts, and stick to it.
• Read your activity statement. Your bookmaker sends one every month; it shows what you've really spent.
• Never chase losses. A loss is the price of the entertainment, not a debt to win back.
• Set a time limit and take regular breaks.
• Don't bet when you've been drinking, or when you're upset, stressed or bored.
• Never bet with borrowed money. Credit cards can't be used for online betting in Australia.
• Treat a win as a bonus, not a plan.

Warning signs

Gambling may be becoming a problem if you're:

• betting more money, or for longer, than you planned
• chasing losses, or betting to win back money you need
• borrowing money or selling things to bet
• hiding your betting from family or friends
• feeling anxious, guilty or irritable about betting
• finding betting affects your work, study, sleep or relationships.

If any of these sound familiar, try Gambling Help Online's quick self-assessment, or call 1800 858 858.

Tools that help

• Bookmaker tools: time-outs and closing your account.
• Bank gambling blocks: most Australian banks let you block gambling payments on your cards, often in their app.
• Blocking apps: software that blocks betting sites and apps on your phone and computer (some are free).
• BetStop: self-exclude from every licensed online and phone bookmaker at once – betstop.gov.au.
• Self-help: Gambling Help Online's free tools, including the 100 Day Challenge.

For family & friends

Someone else's gambling can hurt you too. Gambling Help Online supports family members and friends on the same number, 1800 858 858, and online: are you harmed by someone's gambling?

Only use licensed Australian bookmakers

It's illegal for offshore betting sites to offer their services to Australians. They aren't covered by BetStop, don't give you Australian consumer protections, and if something goes wrong you may have no way to get your money back.

Before you use any betting site, check it's on the ACMA's register: check if a gambling operator is legal. Punting Gods never links to or promotes any bookmaker.

Our promises

• Punting Gods is for adults only – 18+.
• No bookmaker ads, affiliate links or bonus codes. We aren't paid by bookmakers.
• Only our strongest tips go up (3 stars and above), and never more than two per game.
• We never call a tip a "sure thing" or a "guaranteed win".
• We'll never encourage you to chase losses.
• Every email we send includes support information and a one-click unsubscribe.
• Our art and tone aren't aimed at children.
• We'll show our results honestly once our results page launches.

Contact us

Questions or concerns about this page, or about Punting Gods: [contact email – to be added].

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