Keeping It Fun
Gambling should stay a form of entertainment you pay for, not a way to make money. This page covers the limits worth setting, the warning signs worth knowing and where to get free, confidential help in New Zealand.
Responsible Gambling
House Rules Worth Keeping
- Decide on a budget before you start, and treat it as the cost of the night out.
- Set a time limit as well as a money limit — sessions have a habit of stretching.
- Never chase losses. The next bet doesn’t owe you anything.
- Don’t gamble with money meant for rent, bills or food.
- Avoid playing when you’re stressed, low or have been drinking.
- Treat any win as a bonus, not as income.
Strictly 18 and Over
Online gambling with real money is for adults aged 18 and over. Operators check age and identity before paying out a withdrawal. If a young person in your household shares your devices, parental control tools such as Google Family Link or Apple Screen Time can block gambling sites.
Signs It Has Stopped Being a Game
Any one of these is worth taking seriously:
- you spend more money or time than you planned, again and again;
- you borrow money or sell things to keep playing;
- you hide how much you gamble from people close to you;
- you feel restless or irritable when you try to cut back;
- you keep playing to win back what you lost.
Tools the Operator Provides
Licensed operators, 20Bet included, give account holders tools to stay in control:
- deposit limits — daily, weekly or monthly caps on what you can add;
- time-outs — a break from 24 hours up to several weeks;
- self-exclusion — closing the account for six months or longer;
- reality checks — reminders showing how long a session has lasted.
These are set in the account settings on the operator’s site, or by contacting its support team.
Where to Get Help in New Zealand
All of these services are free and confidential:
- Gambling Helpline — 0800 654 655, or free text 8006, available 24/7;
- Problem Gambling Foundation — 0800 664 262, with counselling across the country;
- Asian Family Services — 0800 862 342, support in several Asian languages;
- Gamblers Anonymous New Zealand — peer support meetings nationwide.
Family and friends of someone who gambles can use the same services — you don’t need to be the one playing to ask for help.
A Quick Self-Check
Answer honestly: have you ever lied about how much you gamble? Have you played with money you needed for something else? Have you gone back the same day to win back losses? Have you felt you should cut down, and not managed it?
A single honest “yes” is reason enough to set a limit today. More than one is reason enough to call the Gambling Helpline.