Responsible Gambling at Slotman

Responsible Gambling at Slotman Australia

Pokies and casino games are entertainment, not a way to make money. Slotman gives you tools to stay in control of your time and your balance, so play stays enjoyable rather than stressful.

The tools below exist for one reason: to help you gamble within limits you set for yourself, before a session starts, not after it's gone further than you planned. They're free, straightforward to use and entirely in your hands.

This page is strictly for players 18 years and over. If you're under 18, this site and its games are not for you under any circumstances.

Why responsible gambling matters before you deposit

Most players who get into difficulty with pokies didn't plan to. A session that starts as a bit of fun on a Friday night can stretch longer than intended, especially during a winning run or when trying to recover a loss. The gap between "I'll stop after this spin" and an account balance that's uncomfortably low is usually smaller than people expect.

That's exactly why the tools on this page exist before you ever hit deposit, not as a reaction once a problem has already taken hold. Setting a limit while you're clear-headed and unaffected by the result of a session is the single most effective habit a player can build. It costs nothing, takes a couple of minutes, and sits quietly in the background doing its job even when you forget it's there.

Thinking about responsible gambling isn't an admission that something's wrong. It's the same logic as setting a budget before a trip to the shops: a sensible step that has nothing to do with whether you're "in control" or not. Every player benefits from having a ceiling they can't accidentally go past.

Self-exclusion and how it works

Self-exclusion lets you close off access to your account for a period of time you choose. It's designed for anyone who wants a complete break from pokies, not just a reduced limit.

How the process works

You request self-exclusion through account support, specify a timeframe, and your account is restricted from play for that period. During self-exclusion you won't receive marketing emails or bonus offers.

What happens when the period ends

Once your chosen period finishes, access isn't automatically restored. You'll need to actively request reactivation, giving you a built-in pause to reconsider before playing again.

If you're unsure whether self-exclusion or a shorter limit suits you better, Gambling Help Online can talk through the options confidentially, free of charge.

Choosing the right length for your break

There's no single correct length of self-exclusion, and the right answer depends on what you're trying to achieve. A short break of a few weeks can be enough to reset habits after a rough patch, giving you distance from routine without a long-term commitment. A longer exclusion, running into months, suits someone who wants real separation from pokies while other parts of life take priority, whether that's finances, study, work or family.

Some players prefer to start shorter and extend later if needed, rather than committing to a long period upfront. Others find a longer break removes the temptation to reconsider halfway through. Either approach is valid. What matters is being honest with yourself about why you're requesting it in the first place, since that's what determines whether the length you choose actually does its job.

Setting a limit on your account

Limits work best when they're set before you deposit, based on what you can genuinely afford to lose, not on a winning or losing streak.

1. Log into your Slotman account and go to account settings.
2. Find the responsible gambling or limits section.
3. Choose the type of limit you want: deposit, loss or time.
4. Enter an amount or duration that fits your personal budget.
5. Confirm the limit. Reductions apply immediately.
6. If you want to increase a limit later, expect a short waiting period before it takes effect, giving you time to reconsider.

Review your limits regularly. Circumstances change, and a limit that suited you six months ago might not suit you now.

Working out a figure that actually suits you

A useful starting point is to treat your gambling budget the same way you'd treat any other discretionary spend, like entertainment or going out. Work out what's left over after rent or mortgage, bills, groceries and savings, then decide what portion of that leftover amount you're comfortable setting aside for pokies in a week or a month. That figure, not a round number picked at random, is what belongs in your deposit or loss limit.

It helps to set the limit lower than you think you need at first. You can always review it later once you've seen how a few sessions actually play out, but it's far easier to raise a limit deliberately than to claw back money you've already lost because the cap was set too high from day one.

Safer gambling tools available

Each tool can be used on its own or combined. Plenty of players set a deposit limit and a reality check together, for example, rather than relying on just one safeguard.

Combining tools for a layered approach

No single tool catches everything on its own. A deposit limit stops you from adding more funds than planned, but it won't stop a long session if you're playing with a balance that's already there. A time limit addresses that gap by closing the session regardless of balance. A reality check sits between the two, nudging you to notice how long you've been playing without forcing a stop.

Using a deposit limit, a loss limit and a reality check together covers spending, losses and time in one go, without needing to rely on willpower alone in the middle of a session. Self-exclusion remains the option for when a full break, rather than a boundary, is what's needed.

Recognising the warning signs of problem gambling

Problem gambling doesn't always look dramatic. It often builds gradually, and the person experiencing it is usually the last to notice.

Behavioural signs

• Spending more time or money on pokies than you intended to
• Chasing losses by depositing again to try to win them back
• Lying to family or friends about how much you play or spend
• Neglecting work, study or relationships because of gambling
• Borrowing money or selling things to fund play

Emotional signs

• Feeling anxious, irritable or restless when you try to cut back
• Using gambling to escape stress, boredom or low mood
• Feeling guilt or shame after a session but continuing anyway

If any of these feel familiar, it's worth pausing and using one of the tools above, or speaking with a free support service. Acting early makes a genuine difference.

Why early action matters more than people expect

The earlier any of these signs is addressed, the simpler the fix tends to be. A deposit limit set after one uncomfortable session is a far smaller step than reaching out for support after months of chasing losses. None of the warning signs above need to be severe or constant before they're worth acting on. Noticing just one or two, even occasionally, is reason enough to set a limit or have a conversation with a free support service.

There's no threshold you need to cross before you're "allowed" to use these tools or call a helpline. They're there for anyone, at any stage, including players who simply want to keep things exactly as manageable as they already are.

Where to get help locally

Support is free, confidential and available whether or not you're ready to stop completely.

• Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858, available 24/7, gamblinghelponline.org.au. Phone counselling, live chat and online resources for players and their families.
• Lifeline: 13 11 14, for crisis support at any hour.

You can also talk to a GP, who can refer you to local financial or psychological support services if gambling is affecting your wellbeing.

Family members and friends affected by someone else's gambling can use these same services. You don't need to be the person playing to reach out for support.

What to expect from a support conversation

Reaching out can feel like the hardest part, but the services above are set up specifically to make that first step as easy as possible. Calls to Gambling Help Online are confidential, free, and staffed by trained counsellors rather than automated systems. You won't be asked to justify why you're calling or prove things have reached a particular point. Conversations can be as short as talking through options for a deposit limit, or as involved as ongoing support over weeks or months, entirely based on what you need.

Live chat through gamblinghelponline.org.au suits anyone who'd rather type than talk, and the same confidentiality applies. None of these services share details with Slotman or any other operator, and using them has no bearing on your account standing.

Frequently asked questions

How do I set a deposit limit on my Slotman account?

Go to account settings and find the responsible gambling section, then choose deposit limit and enter the amount that suits your budget. The limit applies immediately once confirmed, and reductions take effect straight away.

Can I reverse self-exclusion before the period I chose ends?

No, self-exclusion runs for the full period you select and cannot be shortened early. This is intentional, designed to give you a genuine break rather than a option to undo the decision under pressure.

What is a reality check and how does it help?

A reality check is a pop-up that appears during play showing how long you've been logged in. It helps you notice time passing, especially during longer sessions where it's easy to lose track.

Is there a cost to using any of these responsible gambling tools?

No, every tool, including deposit limits, loss limits, time limits, reality checks and self-exclusion, is free to set up and free to use. There's no fee for adjusting or removing a limit either.

Who can I call if I think my gambling is becoming a problem?

Call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858, available 24/7 with free, confidential counselling. You can also visit gamblinghelponline.org.au for live chat and further resources, whether for yourself or someone close to you.

Do responsible gambling tools apply only to new accounts?

No, every Slotman account holder can access deposit limits, loss limits, time limits, reality checks and self-exclusion at any point, not just when first signing up. You can set, adjust or remove them whenever you choose.