Gambling is meant to be entertaining. At Astromania, we're committed to making sure it stays that way for Australian players. This page covers the tools available to you, the warning signs of problem gambling, and where to get help if you need it.
Most people gamble for fun and stay in control. But for some, gambling can become a problem that affects finances, relationships and mental health. Recognising the warning signs early is the most important step.
Ask yourself these questions honestly. If several of these apply to you - or to someone you know - it may be time to seek support:
Around 1 in 6 Australians who gamble experience some level of harm from it, and many more are affected as family members or friends. Problem gambling is a recognised health issue, not a personal failing - and there are people trained specifically to help.
Gambling Help Online provides free, professional counselling and support for Australians affected by gambling. It's completely confidential.
gamblinghelponline.org.au →If you answered yes to any of the signs above, consider taking a short, anonymous self-assessment at:
gamblinghelponline.org.auIf you feel you need to take a break from gambling, Astromania can close your account or apply restrictions. We take all such requests seriously and act on them as a matter of priority - this is not something that gets passed around or delayed.
The primary tool available is self-exclusion - a request to close your account indefinitely. You can also request a temporary cooling-off period if you'd like a shorter break. In either case, contact our Customer Support team via Live Chat or email and we'll handle it immediately.
When requesting self-exclusion, please let us know about any other accounts you may have with Astromania so they can all be closed simultaneously. Under Astromania's Terms and Conditions (Section 3.8), you are responsible for notifying us of any additional accounts and for not opening new ones after self-exclusion.
For further deposit and spending controls, we recommend using your Australian bank's built-in gambling block feature - details below.
Most major Australian banks now offer a gambling block feature in their mobile apps that prevents your card or account from being used for gambling transactions. This is a separate, additional layer of protection you can apply independently of any action Astromania takes. Available from: Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Westpac, NAB and most other Australian banks. Check your banking app's settings for "gambling block" or "merchant restrictions". For crypto deposits, consider using a dedicated wallet with restricted access.
Simple habits that help keep gambling enjoyable and within healthy limits.
Decide on an amount you're comfortable losing before you open the casino or sportsbook. Only use funds set aside for entertainment - never money earmarked for rent, bills or food.
It's easy to lose track of time while playing. Set an alarm or use your phone's screen time tools to remind yourself when to stop. Regular breaks improve your decision-making.
All casino games and sports betting carry a house edge or built-in margin. Winning is never guaranteed. If you're counting on gambling to cover expenses, that's a warning sign.
Increasing your bets to recover losses is one of the most common ways gambling becomes a problem. If you've reached your budget, stop - and don't top up to keep playing.
Emotional state significantly affects decision-making. Avoid gambling when you're stressed, angry, upset or under the influence of alcohol. These are conditions where losses spiral quickly.
Step away between sessions. Continuous play makes it harder to assess how much you've spent. Even a short break helps you make clearer decisions when you return.
Free, confidential support is available to anyone in Australia affected by problem gambling - whether that's you personally, or a family member or friend.
Australia's primary gambling support service. Offers free telephone counselling, online chat and email support for people affected by their own gambling or someone else's. Professional counsellors are available around the clock.
National crisis support service providing telephone, text and online chat. Suitable when gambling-related stress is contributing to mental health crisis or thoughts of self-harm. All calls are confidential.
Mental health support service for Australians experiencing anxiety, depression and other conditions. Problem gambling often has a strong mental health component - Beyond Blue's counsellors understand the connection.
Peer support program based on the 12-step model. In-person meetings across Australia for people with gambling problems, plus separate meetings for family and friends (Gam-Anon). Many find peer connection particularly powerful.
UK-based charity providing information, support and counselling for anyone affected by problem gambling. Online resources, forums and chat support available to Australian players.
International responsible gambling information and support hub. Includes self-assessment tools, practical advice for staying in control, and links to professional help services. Good starting point for those researching the topic.
Astromania is strictly for adults aged 18 and over. We take underage gambling extremely seriously. Age verification is required as part of our KYC process, and we reserve the right to request proof of age at any point. Accounts found to belong to players under 18 are closed immediately and any funds are voided.
If you share a device with young people, we recommend taking the following steps to prevent underage access to gambling sites and apps. Use your device's parental control settings or dedicated parental control software to block access to gambling websites. Keep your Astromania login credentials private and log out of your account when you're not using it. Consider installing family-friendly filtering software such as Net Nanny or Circle to manage screen time and site access across all household devices.
If you believe an underage person has accessed a gambling account, contact Customer Support immediately via Live Chat or at [email protected].
Common questions about responsible gambling at Astromania.
Contact Customer Support via Live Chat (available 24/7) or email [email protected]. Ask to self-exclude permanently or request a specific cooling-off period. Include your account username and mention any other Astromania accounts you may have. Your account will be closed promptly and any real money balance processed for withdrawal. Under the Terms and Conditions (Section 3.8), you are also responsible for not opening new accounts after a self-exclusion request.
Contact Customer Support to discuss account restrictions. In addition to what Astromania can offer, we strongly recommend using your Australian bank's gambling block feature as an independent safeguard. Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Westpac, NAB and most other major Australian banks now provide this through their mobile banking apps under account settings or card controls. This blocks gambling-related transactions at the banking level, independent of any action on Astromania's side.
Any remaining real money balance in your account at the time of closure will be processed for withdrawal to your verified payment method. Bonus balances that have not been wagered are forfeited on account closure. If you have an active withdrawal request pending at the time of self-exclusion, it will still be processed. Contact [email protected] if you have questions about a specific balance situation.
For temporary cooling-off periods, your account can be reopened after the specified period has elapsed - contact Customer Support when you're ready. For permanent self-exclusion, account reopening is not available. This is intentional: the purpose of self-exclusion is to provide a barrier between you and gambling during a difficult period. If you are concerned about problem gambling, we recommend speaking with Gambling Help Online (1800 858 858) before making any decisions about account status.
Support services are available for family and friends of problem gamblers, not just the person gambling. Gambling Help Online (1800 858 858) offers counselling for people affected by someone else's gambling. Gamblers Anonymous runs Gam-Anon meetings specifically for family members. If you believe the person has an Astromania account and you are concerned, encourage them to contact our support team directly. We cannot act on an account without the account holder's consent, but we can provide information on the tools available.
Yes. Gambling Help Online's phone service (1800 858 858) is free to call from any Australian landline or mobile. It is completely confidential - counsellors do not share your information without your consent. The service is funded by state and territory governments and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Online chat support is also available through gamblinghelponline.org.au for those who prefer not to call.
