Responsible Gaming

Our responsible gaming approach

Responsible gaming means making deliberate choices about when, how often and how much you gamble. It also means understanding that every wager carries a risk of loss. No strategy, system or betting pattern can guarantee a win, and past results do not predict future outcomes. Games are based on chance or other defined outcomes, so players should only gamble with money they can afford to lose.

Sahara Sands Casino provides this information to help players make informed decisions. Responsible gaming is a shared responsibility. The website may provide account controls and other tools where available, but these tools cannot replace personal judgement or professional support. If gambling stops feeling like entertainment, take a break and consider speaking with someone you trust.

Key principles

• Gamble for entertainment, rather than to earn income or improve your financial position.
• Set a budget before you play and do not exceed it.
• Decide how much time you are comfortable spending on gambling.
• Never chase losses or increase stakes because you feel due for a win.
• Do not gamble when you are upset, stressed, tired, intoxicated or under the influence of medication or other substances.
• Keep gambling separate from essential household expenses, savings, rent, bills and money needed by other people.
• Take regular breaks and maintain other interests, relationships and activities.
• Only use an account that belongs to you and never allow another person to gamble through your account.
• Do not gamble if you are under the legal age or otherwise not permitted to do so in your location.

Gambling is not suitable for everyone. Players in Australia must meet the applicable legal age and location requirements. If you are unsure whether online gambling is lawful for you, obtain independent legal guidance or consult the relevant official information for your state or territory before playing.

Plan your gambling before you play

A clear plan can make it easier to recognise when your gambling is moving beyond your intended limits. Before opening a game or placing a wager, decide the maximum amount of money and time you are prepared to use. Treat this amount as an entertainment cost, similar to spending on a meal, event or other leisure activity. Once the budget is used, stop for the day or for the period you selected.

Before starting

1. Review your available money and make sure essential expenses have already been covered.
2. Choose a spending limit that will not affect your rent, mortgage, utilities, food, transport, debt repayments or savings.
3. Choose a time limit and use a reminder or timer if that will help you stop as planned.
4. Decide in advance how often you will play and include gambling-free days in your routine.
5. Avoid borrowing money, using credit intended for other purposes or selling possessions to fund gambling.
6. Make sure you are in a calm and suitable state of mind before you play.
7. Consider telling a trusted person about your plan so they can help you remain accountable.

While playing

• Keep track of deposits, wagers, wins and losses instead of relying on memory.
• Remember that a win does not mean another win is more likely.
• Do not increase your stake to recover money you have lost.
• Do not continue because you believe a particular game or outcome is due.
• Take a break when you feel frustrated, excited or unable to stop.
• Stop immediately if you reach your planned money or time limit.
• Avoid mixing gambling with alcohol or other substances.
• Do not hide your gambling activity or financial transactions from people who depend on you.

A useful check is to ask whether you would still choose to gamble if you had not recently won or lost. If the answer is no, step away and review your plan. Gambling outcomes are independent of personal effort, intuition or previous results, and no player can control the result of a game.

Recognising when gambling may be a problem

Problem gambling can develop gradually. Some people may not notice a concern until gambling affects their finances, health, work, study or relationships. You do not need to wait for a serious crisis before asking for help. Early support can make it easier to regain control.

Possible warning signs

• Spending more time or money gambling than you originally intended.
• Thinking about gambling for much of the day or finding it difficult to focus on other activities.
• Repeatedly trying to cut back or stop without success.
• Chasing losses or gambling with larger amounts to feel the same excitement.
• Borrowing money, using credit, selling belongings or missing payments because of gambling.
• Feeling anxious, irritable, restless, guilty or unhappy when you are not gambling.
• Hiding deposits, losses, account activity or the amount of time spent gambling.
• Arguing with family, friends or colleagues about gambling.
• Missing work, study, household responsibilities or important events.
• Gambling to escape stress, sadness, loneliness, boredom or other difficult feelings.
• Returning to gambling soon after deciding to take a break.
• Believing that one large win will solve financial or personal problems.

If any of these signs apply to you, stop gambling and consider speaking with a qualified counsellor, psychologist, doctor, financial counsellor or trusted support person. You can also seek information from official Australian gambling support services, including services available in your state or territory. Support is confidential in many settings, and asking for help is a practical step rather than a failure.

If someone you know is affected

Gambling can affect partners, family members, friends and other people who share financial or emotional responsibilities. If you are concerned about another person, choose a calm time to explain what you have noticed without blame. Encourage them to seek professional support, protect shared finances where appropriate and avoid giving money to cover gambling losses. You can also seek independent advice for yourself. If there is an immediate risk to anyone’s safety, contact the appropriate emergency service in your location.

Limits, breaks and self-exclusion

Depending on the account features and applicable requirements, players may be able to use tools such as deposit limits, loss limits, session reminders, time limits, cooling-off periods or temporary account breaks. These tools are designed to support your plan. Review the settings carefully before confirming them, and choose limits that reflect an amount and duration you can genuinely afford.

A limit is most effective when it is set before gambling begins. Do not treat a limit as a target or increase it to continue playing after a loss. If you find yourself repeatedly changing, cancelling or avoiding limits, take that as a warning sign and stop gambling. Consider using a longer break or requesting self-exclusion instead.

Taking a break

A short break can help you reassess your habits, but it may not be enough if gambling is causing distress or financial harm. During a break, remove gambling applications or shortcuts, avoid gambling-related advertising and keep your money separate from easily accessible spending funds. Ask a trusted person to support your plan if you are finding it difficult to maintain.

Self-exclusion

Self-exclusion is a stronger restriction for people who want to prevent themselves from accessing gambling services for a selected period or longer. If you decide that self-exclusion is appropriate, follow the available account process and read the conditions carefully. Self-exclusion should be considered a firm commitment. Do not create another account, use another person’s account or ask someone else to gamble on your behalf.

Account controls may not prevent every form of gambling outside Sahara Sands Casino. If gambling is affecting you across multiple services, consider using relevant exclusion and support options for each service and seek independent advice. You remain responsible for complying with all applicable laws and account terms.

Getting support and staying in control

If you are worried about your gambling, the most important step is to stop and tell someone. Speak with a trusted family member or friend, contact a qualified health professional, or use an official Australian gambling support service. A professional can help you understand the reasons behind your gambling, develop a plan, manage financial effects and address related concerns such as anxiety, depression or relationship stress.

1. Stop gambling and avoid trying to recover losses.
2. Secure access to money and remove saved payment methods if appropriate.
3. Review outstanding bills, debts and other financial commitments.
4. Tell a trusted person what is happening and ask for practical support.
5. Use available account limits, cooling-off options or self-exclusion tools.
6. Arrange professional gambling, mental health or financial counselling.
7. Keep records of your progress and review your plan regularly.
8. Seek urgent assistance if gambling is connected with thoughts of self-harm, threats, violence or immediate danger.

Sahara Sands Casino encourages players to use the responsible gaming information and account tools available on the website. The availability of a tool may depend on the account, service and applicable requirements. If you need help using an account feature, use the official support or account assistance channel shown on the website. Do not send sensitive financial or identity information through an unverified channel.

Privacy and account security

Keep your login details private and use a secure password. Do not allow other people to access your account, even if they promise to repay any losses. Account sharing can make it harder to apply limits and may breach the applicable terms. Review account activity regularly and report anything you do not recognise through the official website process.

This page is general information and is not medical, financial or legal advice. Responsible gaming information cannot remove the inherent risks of gambling. By choosing to play, you should understand those risks, follow the applicable terms and only gamble in a way that remains affordable and under your control.