Responsible Gaming

Gambling can be enjoyable when it remains one form of leisure among other activities. It can become harmful when it takes priority over your finances, relationships, work, study, health or everyday responsibilities. There is no guaranteed way to win, and previous results do not influence future outcomes. Games are based on chance or other defined outcomes, so losses can occur and should always be expected.

Only gamble with money you can afford to lose after essential costs have been paid. Your gambling budget should come from disposable income and should never be taken from rent, mortgage payments, bills, food, medication, savings or money intended for someone else. Do not borrow money to gamble, sell possessions to continue playing or use credit to chase losses.

• Set a personal budget before you begin and stop when that budget has been used.
• Set a time limit and take regular breaks away from the screen.
• Keep gambling separate from essential household spending.
• Do not gamble when you are upset, stressed, tired, affected by alcohol or affected by other substances.
• Avoid trying to recover losses by increasing your stakes or playing for longer.
• Remember that gambling is not a reliable source of income or a solution to financial difficulties.
• Make sure you understand the rules, costs and risks of a game before taking part.
• Keep track of your deposits, withdrawals, time spent and overall results.

A win does not mean you need to continue, and a loss does not mean you are due a win. Set your limits while you are thinking clearly, rather than changing them during a session. If gambling stops feeling enjoyable or begins to feel difficult to control, take a break and seek support as soon as possible.

Account and safer-gambling tools may help you manage how you play. Depending on the options available to you, these may include deposit limits, loss limits, wagering limits, session or time reminders, account history and temporary breaks. These tools are intended to support your decisions, but they work best when you choose limits that reflect your real financial and personal circumstances.

Set limits before playing

Consider setting a daily, weekly or monthly limit for deposits and gambling activity. A limit should be realistic, affordable and low enough that reaching it does not create financial stress. Do not increase a limit simply because you have lost money or because you believe a win is likely. If the available settings do not meet your needs, stop gambling and request further assistance through the account support process.

Take a break or close your account

If you want time away from gambling, use the available temporary break or account restriction options. If you believe you should not gamble at all, consider requesting account closure or self-exclusion. Self-exclusion is a serious decision to prevent or restrict access for a chosen period or in accordance with the applicable process. Before requesting it, consider whether you also need to restrict access to other gambling services and ask a trusted person to support you.

Do not create another account or use another person’s account to get around a break, restriction or self-exclusion. Do not allow anyone else to use your account. If you have requested a restriction and are still able to access gambling services, stop playing and contact the relevant support team through the available channel.

Protect your account

Keep your login details private and use a secure password. Do not share access with friends or family members, even if they promise to repay any losses. Review your account activity regularly and report anything that does not look right. Account security is important because easy access can make it harder to follow the limits you have chosen.

Gambling harm can develop gradually, and people may not recognise the impact straight away. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, income or previous experience. Consider whether any of the following signs apply to you or someone close to you:

• Spending more time or money gambling than you planned.
• Trying to hide gambling activity, deposits, losses or statements from others.
• Feeling restless, irritable or anxious when attempting to stop or cut down.
• Thinking about gambling frequently during work, study, family time or sleep.
• Chasing losses or increasing stakes to try to win back money.
• Borrowing money, using credit or missing payments because of gambling.
• Selling items, taking money from savings or delaying essential expenses.
• Arguing with family, friends or colleagues about gambling.
• Losing interest in hobbies, responsibilities or social activities.
• Feeling guilt, shame, hopelessness or distress after gambling.
• Gambling to escape problems, loneliness, sadness or other difficult feelings.
• Continuing to gamble despite clear financial, emotional, health or relationship problems.

One or more of these signs can be a reason to pause and seek help. You do not need to wait until a serious crisis develops. Start by stopping play, reviewing your recent activity and speaking honestly with someone you trust. A qualified gambling counsellor or support service can help you make a plan without judgement. You can also ask a health professional for advice if gambling is affecting your mood, sleep, relationships or general wellbeing.

If you are worried about another person, focus on the effects of gambling rather than blaming or shaming them. Choose a calm time to talk, explain what you have noticed and encourage them to seek professional support. Protect your own finances and wellbeing, and do not lend money or cover gambling-related debts if doing so puts you at risk.

Support is available in Australia for people affected by gambling and for their families and friends. You can contact a recognised gambling-help service, a qualified counsellor, a community health service or a medical professional. These services may provide confidential information, counselling, financial guidance and practical strategies for reducing or stopping gambling. Search for current Australian gambling support resources through trusted government, health or community organisations.

If gambling is causing immediate danger, severe distress or thoughts of self-harm, stop gambling and seek urgent assistance from emergency services or a crisis support service in your area. Your safety is more important than any account, balance or gambling outcome.

Young people and vulnerable people

Gambling is only for people who meet the minimum legal age that applies in their location. Surge Casino does not support underage gambling. Do not allow a child or young person to use your account, payment method, device or identity details. Parents and carers should discuss the risks of gambling, use device and payment controls where appropriate, and seek advice if they are concerned about a young person’s behaviour.

You should also take extra care if you have previously experienced gambling problems, financial hardship, mental health difficulties or substance-use concerns. Gambling may be particularly risky in these circumstances. Consider avoiding gambling altogether and speak with a support professional before opening or using an account.

Our approach

We aim to provide clear information about responsible gambling and to make safer-gambling options available where applicable. We may apply account checks, restrictions or other measures in line with applicable requirements and our procedures. Responsible gambling tools cannot remove all risk, so personal awareness and informed decisions remain important.

If you have a question about safer-gambling options, account restrictions or taking a break, use the support route available on the Surge Casino website. Please do not include sensitive information in public forums. We will not ask you to continue gambling to resolve a concern, and you should never feel pressured to deposit or play.