Responsible Gambling

Last updated: 12 February 2026

At Chicken Road Australia, we believe that gambling should always be an enjoyable form of entertainment — never a source of financial stress, emotional distress, or personal hardship. While we provide informational content about the Chicken Road game, we recognise our responsibility to promote safe and responsible gambling practices for all Australian players.

This page outlines key principles of responsible gambling, warning signs of problem gambling, self-exclusion options available in Australia, and resources for anyone who may need support.

1. Responsible Gambling Principles

The Australian Government and state/territory regulators have established a comprehensive framework to protect consumers from gambling harm. At the core of this framework are several principles that every player should understand:

• Gambling is entertainment, not income: No gambling product, including Chicken Road, is designed to generate a reliable income. The house always has an edge. Treat any money spent gambling as the cost of entertainment.
• Set limits before you play: Decide how much money and time you are willing to spend before you begin. Stick to those limits regardless of whether you are winning or losing.
• Never chase losses: Attempting to recover lost money by continuing to gamble often leads to greater losses. Accept losses as part of the experience and walk away when your limit is reached.
• Only gamble with money you can afford to lose: Never use money designated for essential expenses such as rent, bills, groceries, or loan repayments.
• Do not gamble under the influence: Alcohol and other substances impair judgement and can lead to poor decision-making. Always gamble with a clear mind.
• Take regular breaks: Extended gambling sessions reduce your ability to make rational decisions. Step away frequently and engage in other activities.

2. Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can develop gradually, and it is not always easy to recognise in yourself or others. The following behaviours may indicate that gambling has become problematic:

• Spending more money or time on gambling than you intended
• Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to reduce or stop gambling
• Chasing losses — gambling more to try to win back money you have lost
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or going into debt to fund gambling
• Neglecting work, study, family responsibilities, or personal health because of gambling
• Lying to family, friends, or colleagues about the extent of your gambling
• Feeling guilty, ashamed, or depressed after gambling
• Using gambling as an escape from stress, boredom, loneliness, or other emotional difficulties
• Repeated unsuccessful attempts to control, reduce, or stop gambling
• Experiencing relationship breakdowns, financial hardship, or legal problems related to gambling

If you recognise any of these signs in yourself or someone you know, it is important to seek help as early as possible. Early intervention can prevent further harm.

3. Self-Exclusion in Australia

Self-exclusion is one of the most effective tools available to people who want to take a break from gambling or stop entirely. Australia offers several self-exclusion mechanisms:

3.1 BetStop — National Self-Exclusion Register

The BetStop National Self-Exclusion Register is an Australian Government initiative administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). BetStop allows you to exclude yourself from all licensed Australian interactive wagering service providers in a single step.

• How it works: You register through the BetStop website. Once registered, all licensed Australian wagering operators are required to close your accounts and stop sending you marketing material.
• Exclusion periods: You can choose a minimum exclusion period of 3 months, with options extending up to a lifetime ban.
• It's free: There is no cost to register with BetStop.
• Website: betstop.gov.au

3.2 State and Territory Self-Exclusion Programmes

In addition to BetStop, individual states and territories operate their own self-exclusion schemes, particularly for land-based venues such as pubs, clubs, and casinos. These include:

• NSW: Gaming Venue Self-Exclusion Scheme
• Victoria: Self-Exclusion Program (Crown Melbourne and venue-based)
• Queensland: Exclusion Direction provisions under the Casino Control Act 1982
• South Australia: Barring Orders (voluntary and compulsory)
• Western Australia: Exclusion Orders under the Casino Control Act 1984

Contact your state or territory gambling regulator for details on local self-exclusion options.

4. Support Services and Helplines

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties with gambling, the following Australian support services are available, many of them free and confidential:

Service	Contact	Availability
Gambling Help Online	gamblinghelponline.org.au / 1800 858 858	24/7, free
Lifeline Australia	13 11 14	24/7, free
Beyond Blue	1300 22 4636 / beyondblue.org.au	24/7, free
Financial Counselling Australia	1800 007 007 / financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au	Mon–Fri, free
BetStop	betstop.gov.au	Online, free

All of these services are staffed by trained professionals who understand gambling-related harm. You do not need to be in crisis to reach out — early help can make a significant difference.

5. Practical Tips for Safer Gambling

If you choose to gamble, the following practical strategies can help you stay in control:

1. Set a budget: Decide how much you are prepared to lose before you start and do not exceed that amount. Consider using a separate account or prepaid card for gambling funds.
2. Set a time limit: Use a timer or alarm to remind yourself to take breaks. Many platforms offer session reminders — enable them.
3. Use deposit limits: Most reputable online platforms allow you to set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit caps. Use these tools proactively.
4. Understand the game: Read our how to play Chicken Road guide to understand the mechanics, odds, and risk levels before playing with real money.
5. Try the demo first: Use our Chicken Road demo to experience the game without risking real money. This helps you learn the gameplay and assess whether it suits you.
6. Avoid emotional gambling: Do not gamble when you are stressed, upset, angry, or under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
7. Balance gambling with other activities: Ensure gambling does not replace hobbies, social activities, exercise, or time with family and friends.
8. Talk to someone: If gambling is causing you stress, talk to a trusted friend, family member, or professional counsellor. You are not alone.

6. Our Commitment

Chicken Road Australia is committed to responsible gambling and takes the following steps to promote safer play:

• We display responsible gambling messages and helpline information across the Site
• We provide links to self-exclusion tools and support services on every relevant page
• We do not target our content at minors — the Site is strictly for users aged 18 and over
• We do not make misleading claims about potential winnings or encourage excessive gambling
• We clearly disclose affiliate relationships and maintain editorial independence in our reviews
• We support the objectives of the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering

If you have any concerns about the responsible gambling information provided on our Site, or if you would like to suggest improvements, please visit our contact page.

Remember: Gambling is meant to be fun. If it stops being fun, stop playing.