Gambling should be entertainment, not a source of worry or money problems. This page explains what responsible gambling means, how casino bonuses can affect the way you play, which warning signs to look out for, and where to find free and confidential help in New Zealand if gambling has become a problem.
Casino-bonus.nz is an information site. We do not offer gambling ourselves, and we believe anyone who chooses to gamble should be able to do so safely and with their eyes open.
Do you or someone close to you need help?
Help is free and confidential. You do not have to deal with it alone.
- Gambling Helpline – support by phone, text and online, 24 hours a day, every day. Call 0800 654 655 or text 8006. gamblinghelpline.co.nz
- PGF Services (the Problem Gambling Foundation) – free counselling for people who gamble and for those affected by someone else’s gambling. Call 0800 664 262. pgf.nz
- Asian Family Services – free support in several Asian languages. Call 0800 862 342. asianfamilyservices.nz
If you are in immediate danger or worried about someone’s safety, call 111.
What does responsible gambling mean?
Responsible gambling means staying in control and treating gambling as a form of paid entertainment, like a concert ticket or a night out. You pay for the experience, and you pay with money you can afford to lose.
The basic idea is that gambling should never come at the expense of your finances, your relationships or your wellbeing. While it is still enjoyable and you are playing within limits you set yourself, it is under control. When it stops being fun, or when you find yourself playing to win back losses, it is time to stop.
It also helps to remember how the games work. Pokies, roulette and other casino games have a built-in house edge, which means that over time the casino keeps a share of everything wagered. No system or strategy changes this, and gambling is never a way to earn or save money.
Simple habits for staying in control
A few habits make it easier to keep gambling at a healthy level:
- Decide in advance how much money and time you are willing to spend, and stick to it.
- Never gamble with money meant for rent, bills, food or other essentials.
- Never borrow money to gamble.
- Do not try to win back what you have lost by playing more.
- Treat any win as a one-off, not as income you can count on.
- Take regular breaks, and avoid gambling when you are stressed, low or have been drinking.
Most online casinos offer account tools such as deposit limits, loss limits, session reminders and time-outs. Setting these before you start playing is easier than trying to stop in the middle of a session.
How bonuses can affect your play
Because this site is about casino bonuses, it is worth being clear about what a bonus does. A bonus is a marketing tool designed to encourage you to sign up, deposit and keep playing.
Most bonuses come with wagering requirements, which means you must bet the bonus amount a set number of times before any winnings can be withdrawn. In practice this can lead people to play for longer, deposit more or place bigger bets than they intended. Time limits on bonuses can add pressure to keep going.
Before claiming an offer, read the full terms, work out how much you would actually need to wager, and ask yourself whether that fits the budget you have set. You can always decline a bonus and play without one. Never deposit more than you planned just to qualify for an offer.
Warning signs of harmful gambling
Gambling problems often develop gradually and can be hard to notice, both for the person gambling and for those around them. Common signs include:
- You gamble with more money or for longer than you meant to.
- You try to win back losses by gambling more.
- You borrow money, or use money set aside for other things, in order to gamble.
- You hide or lie about how much you gamble.
- Thoughts about gambling take up more and more of your day.
- Gambling is affecting your work, finances, sleep or relationships.
- You feel guilt, shame or anxiety connected to your gambling.
You may have a problem even if only one of these applies to you. If you recognise yourself here, reaching out for support is a sensible step, and often the one that helps most.
Check your gambling habits
If you are unsure whether your gambling is becoming a problem, a short self-assessment can give you an indication. Safer Gambling Aotearoa provides information and tools to help you look at your own gambling, and the Gambling Helpline can talk through your situation with you by phone, text or online chat. You do not need to give your name.
Where to get help
Several independent, free services are available across New Zealand.
The Gambling Helpline is the national support service for people who gamble and for their family and friends. It is free, confidential and open around the clock on 0800 654 655, by text on 8006, or at gamblinghelpline.co.nz. The Helpline also runs dedicated services, including support for Māori, Pasifika and young people, and can refer you to face-to-face counselling near you.
PGF Services, the Problem Gambling Foundation, provides free, professional counselling in person, by phone and online for anyone affected by gambling. Call 0800 664 262 or visit pgf.nz.
Asian Family Services offers free and confidential counselling in languages including Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese and Hindi. Call 0800 862 342 or visit asianfamilyservices.nz.
The Salvation Army Oasis provides free gambling harm counselling and support in a number of centres around the country. See salvationarmy.org.nz.
Your GP can also help, particularly if gambling is affecting your mental health, sleep or mood.
Self-exclusion and limits
Self-exclusion means asking to be barred from gambling for a period of time. How it works depends on where you gamble:
- Online casinos: most operators let you set a time-out or exclude yourself through your account settings or by contacting customer support. An exclusion applies only to that operator, so you may need to repeat it on each site where you have an account.
- Casino and pokie venues in New Zealand: you can exclude yourself from a venue, or from several venues at once through a multi-venue exclusion. The Gambling Helpline and local counselling services can help you arrange this.
- Lotto NZ and TAB NZ: both offer spending limits and self-exclusion on their online accounts.
Blocking software that prevents access to gambling websites on your devices can add another layer of protection.
For family and whānau
Harmful gambling does not only affect the person who gambles. As a partner, parent, child or friend you may feel worried, powerless or under financial strain. Support is available to you in your own right.
You can contact the Gambling Helpline or PGF Services for advice on how to handle the situation. Common advice is to talk openly without blaming, to protect your own finances and set clear boundaries around money, and to avoid paying off gambling debts, since financial rescue often makes it easier for the gambling to continue. Remember that a person has to decide to seek help themselves, but you do not have to wait for that before getting support for yourself.
Age limits
Casino-bonus.nz is intended for adults aged 18 and over.
Age limits for gambling depend on the product. In New Zealand you must be 20 to enter a casino venue, and 18 to buy Instant Kiwi tickets or bet with TAB NZ. Online casino gambling is for people aged 18 and over under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, and operators are required to take reasonable steps to verify your age. Gambling in New Zealand is regulated by the Department of Internal Affairs, which publishes information about the rules.
If you have a question about this page, you can reach us through our contact page.
