Responsible Gaming

Gambling should always be a form of entertainment, not a way to earn money or solve financial problems. At handover.nz, we encourage all players to gamble responsibly, stay within their limits, and seek help if gambling stops being fun. This page provides important information and resources to help you stay in control.

Age Verification

In New Zealand, you must be at least 18 years old to play pokies in pubs and clubs, and at least 20 years old to enter a casino or gamble online at a site licensed in NZ. Always check the local legal age in your jurisdiction before gambling. Underage gambling is illegal and can lead to serious consequences.

We strongly advise parents and guardians to use filtering software to prevent minors from accessing gambling websites.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can develop gradually. If you recognise any of the following signs in yourself or someone you care about, it may be time to seek support:

• Chasing losses — returning to try to win back money you have lost
• Gambling with money you cannot afford to lose (e.g., rent, bills, food money)
• Hiding your gambling from family, friends, or colleagues
• Feeling guilty, anxious, or irritable when not gambling
• Borrowing money or selling possessions to gamble
• Neglecting work, study, or relationships because of gambling
• Lying about the time or money spent gambling
• Repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut back or stop
• Gambling to escape from stress, depression, or other problems
• Needing to gamble with larger amounts to feel the same excitement

Self-Help Tools

Most reputable online casinos and pokies sites offer tools to help you manage your gambling. If you play at a mobile casino in NZ, look for the following features in your account settings:

• Deposit limits — set a maximum amount you can deposit per day, week, or month
• Loss limits — cap the amount you are willing to lose within a set period
• Reality checks — receive pop-up reminders showing how long you have been playing
• Session time limits — restrict the duration of each gambling session
• Self-exclusion — temporarily or permanently block your own access to the gambling site

For land-based pokies in pubs and clubs, you can also ask venue staff about self-exclusion programmes or voluntary bans.

Support Organisations

If you are in New Zealand and feel that gambling is becoming a problem, free and confidential help is available. You are not alone.

• Gambling Helpline New Zealand — phone 0800 654 655 or visit gamblinghelpline.co.nz
• Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand (PGF Services) — visit www.pgf.nz for free counselling and support
• Safer Gambling Aotearoa — information and tools at www.safergambling.org.nz

For players outside New Zealand, please contact the most relevant national organisation for your country:

• United Kingdom: GamCare — www.gamcare.org.uk | GamStop — www.gamstop.co.uk
• Australia: Gambling Help Online — www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
• Canada: Responsible Gambling Council — www.responsiblegambling.org
• United States: National Council on Problem Gambling — www.ncpgambling.org
• Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) — www.check-dein-spiel.de

For other countries, please search for your national gambling helpline or contact a local health service for guidance.

Seek Help Today

If you suspect that you or someone you know has a gambling problem, do not wait. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Contact one of the free, confidential services listed above — trained professionals are ready to listen and support you without judgement. Remember: gambling should be fun, and if it stops being fun, help is available.