Responsible Gaming
Gambling Should Be Entertainment
At nzpokies2018.com, we believe that playing online pokies should always be a form of entertainment — never a way to earn money, solve financial problems, or escape from everyday life. Gambling involves real risk, and the odds are always in favour of the operator. You should only ever gamble with money you can afford to lose.
If gambling stops being fun, it's time to stop. This page provides practical tools, warning signs, and support services available to players in New Zealand in 2026.
Age Verification
Online gambling is strictly for adults. In New Zealand, you must be at least 18 years old to gamble online (and 20 to enter a land-based casino). Licensed operators are required to verify your age and identity before allowing you to play.
If you share a device with minors, take precautions:
- Never save login details or payment information on shared devices.
- Use parental control software such as Net Nanny or CyberPatrol.
- Keep gambling accounts password-protected and log out after every session.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can affect anyone. Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you:
- Chasing losses — gambling more to try to win back money you've lost
- Hiding your gambling from family or friends, or lying about how much you spend
- Borrowing money, selling possessions, or using credit to fund gambling
- Gambling with money meant for bills, rent, or essentials
- Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when you try to cut down or stop
- Gambling to escape stress, depression, or personal problems
- Neglecting work, study, or relationships because of gambling
- Spending more time or money on gambling than you intended
If you recognise one or more of these signs in yourself or someone you care about, it may be time to seek support. Recognising the problem is the first and most important step.
Self-Help Tools
All reputable online casinos offer responsible gambling tools. We strongly encourage you to use them:
- Deposit limits – Set a maximum amount you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
- Loss limits – Cap how much you can lose over a set period.
- Session/time limits – Restrict how long you can play in a single session.
- Reality checks – Receive on-screen reminders of how long you've been playing and how much you've spent.
- Cooling-off periods – Take a short break from your account (24 hours to several weeks).
- Self-exclusion – Block yourself from gambling sites for six months, a year, or permanently.
You can also use third-party blocking software (such as Gamban or BetBlocker) to restrict access to gambling sites across all your devices.
Support Organizations
New Zealand
- Gambling Helpline New Zealand – Free, confidential 24/7 support. Call 0800 654 655 or text 8006. Website: www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz
- Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand (PGF Services) – Free counselling and support for gamblers and their families. Website: www.pgf.nz
- Choice Not Chance – Information and self-help resources from the New Zealand Ministry of Health. Website: www.choicenotchance.org.nz
International Resources
- GamCare (UK) – www.gamcare.org.uk
- GamStop (UK) – Free national self-exclusion scheme – www.gamstop.co.uk
- Gambling Help Online (Australia) – www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
- Responsible Gambling Council (Canada) – www.responsiblegambling.org
- National Council on Problem Gambling (US) – www.ncpgambling.org – Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
If Gambling Is No Longer Fun, Help Is Available
If you're worried about your own gambling or someone else's, please don't wait. Free, confidential help is available right now in New Zealand. Call the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 — it's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you can remain anonymous.
Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. You are not alone, and recovery is possible.