Responsible Gaming

1. Casino gambling is for adults aged 20+

Under New Zealand law, a person under 20 must not participate in casino gambling or be in a casino gambling area. A licensed casino may require acceptable evidence of age and must prevent under-20s from entering or remaining in the gambling area. Age limits for other resort areas can differ, but the casino gambling area is strictly 20+.

2. Gambling should remain entertainment

Gambling involves a real risk of losing money. Outcomes are uncertain and previous results do not make a future win due. Gambling should never be treated as employment, a savings method, an investment strategy or a reliable way to recover debt. Decide in advance what you can afford to spend on entertainment and assume that the full amount could be lost.

3. Set money limits before you start

• Choose a fixed entertainment budget before entering a gambling area.
• Use only disposable money that is not needed for housing, food, transport, bills, debt repayments, savings or dependants.
• Do not borrow money, use credit intended for essential expenses, or increase a limit to recover losses.
• When the planned amount is spent, stop. A loss is not a signal that a win is more likely next.
• Keep gambling expenditure separate from your accommodation and travel budget so that the rest of your stay is not put at risk.

4. Set time limits and take breaks

Time can pass quickly in a gaming environment. Decide when you will stop before you begin, use alarms or reminders, and take regular breaks away from the gambling floor. Keep meals, sleep, travel plans, social activities and other parts of your stay separate from gambling. Continuing because you have already spent significant time or money is not a reason to keep playing.

5. Do not chase losses

“Chasing” means gambling more, gambling for longer or raising stakes in an attempt to win back money already lost. It can rapidly increase harm. Each wager has its own risk and a previous loss does not create a debt that the game must repay. If you notice an urge to recover losses immediately, stop gambling and leave the gaming environment for a meaningful break.

6. Recognise warning signs

It may be time to seek help or stop gambling if you are spending more money or time than intended; hiding gambling from family or friends; borrowing or selling possessions to gamble; missing work, study or responsibilities; feeling anxious, angry or preoccupied when unable to gamble; returning repeatedly to recover losses; gambling to escape distress; or finding that gambling is affecting relationships, housing, bills or debt.

You do not need to meet every warning sign before asking for support. Early help can make it easier to regain control.

7. Self-exclusion and venue support

New Zealand's Gambling Act provides procedures for exclusion from gambling areas, including self-exclusion. If gambling is becoming difficult to control, ask venue staff about the exclusion options that apply at the relevant licensed venue. An exclusion is a protective measure and should be respected in full. Do not attempt to use another entrance, identity or person to avoid an exclusion requirement.

Venue staff in a licensed casino also have harm-prevention responsibilities and may approach a person where there are reasonable grounds to believe gambling is causing harm. Accepting a conversation, taking a break or seeking support is a practical safety step.

8. Free support in New Zealand

Support is also available for family and friends affected by someone else's gambling. You can seek help even if the person who gambles is not yet ready to do so.

9. Financial wellbeing

If gambling is contributing to debt or missed payments, stop gambling with borrowed money and prioritise essential expenses. Consider asking a trusted person to help you separate everyday funds from discretionary spending and seek independent budgeting or debt support. The Gambling Helpline can also direct people to appropriate gambling-related support services.

10. Myths and decision-making

Casino games are not made safer by beliefs that a machine, wheel, dealer or table is “hot”, “cold”, “due” or personally lucky. A run of losses does not guarantee a compensating win. Increasing a stake after losses increases the amount at risk. Make decisions based on your pre-set limits, not on superstition, frustration, excitement or the amount already spent.

11. Protecting younger people

Do not encourage anyone under 20 to enter a casino gambling area, place bets on another person's behalf, or present gambling as an easy way to make money. Adults should keep gambling funds, account details for any third-party services and payment methods secure from minors. If you are travelling with younger guests, confirm which areas of a property they may lawfully access.

12. Complaints about casino gambling

For concerns about the conduct or integrity of gambling at a licensed New Zealand casino, a member of the public can ask to speak with a Department of Internal Affairs Casino Gambling Inspector. Inspectors can consider matters such as gambling conduct, equipment integrity, casino operations and under-age patrons. This is separate from ordinary hotel or reservation complaints, which should first be directed to the relevant guest-service team.

13. If you are worried now

If gambling no longer feels controlled, the safest next action is to stop, leave the gambling environment, avoid access to additional money and contact support. You can call the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 or text 8006. If there is an immediate risk to your safety or someone else's safety, contact the appropriate emergency service.

14. Contact and related policies

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