You do not have to work it out alone.

Support in New Zealand

Safer Gambling Aotearoa also provides information and support pathways. These organisations are external resources; linking to them does not mean they endorse RealPokies.

Make a pause easier to keep

Close the game and move away from the device. If possible, ask someone you trust to stay in touch while you decide the next step. Protect money needed for food, rent and bills. A plan to recover a loss through more play creates further exposure to loss.

Review account limits, time-outs and self-exclusion options. Check what each tool actually covers: one operator’s exclusion should not be assumed to apply everywhere. Device blocking and bank gambling controls may add barriers where available, but do not replace support.

Distinguish a limit from a guarantee

A deposit limit restricts money paid in; it is not necessarily the same as a limit on losses or turnover. A time reminder alerts you; it may not stop a session. Read the setting’s description and confirm that the change took effect.

No tool makes gambling financially safe. If limits are repeatedly raised, bypassed or ignored, treat that as a reason to seek more support rather than to find a different platform.

When someone else’s gambling affects you

You can contact a support service for your own situation even if the person gambling is not ready to do so. Keep conversations focused on specific effects, such as missed bills or stress, rather than debating whether the next bet might win.

Consider what boundaries would protect essential household money and your wellbeing. A support service can help you think through the options without requiring you to manage another person’s recovery alone.