Well Played

Objective: External facing support resource for guests and others to have information about safer gambling on our venue websites

Safer Gaming

What is safer gaming/What is Well Played?

Safer gaming is about maintaining control and making informed decisions while participating in gambling activities. It's an approach that promotes responsible habits, awareness of risks, and the use of tools to help you stay within your limits. The "Well Played" initiative is a commitment to providing you with the resources and information you need to keep your gaming experience enjoyable and safe. It's about empowering you to play smart and know when to stop.

Strategies to stay safe - and keep things Well Played!

Having a plan before you start your gambling session can help you stick to your limits. Consider the following and set clear, firm limits on:

• Time: How long do you want to spend gaming?

• Money: How much you are willing to spend (your 'loss limit').

• Mindset check: are you in a good mindset (don’t gamble when you are feeling stressed, or under the influence of alcohol)

• Activity History: A review of your past betting sessions. Reviewing your play data helps you stay aware of your habits and make adjustments if necessary.

Risks associated with gaming

Understanding the risks is an important part of safer gaming, before you start your gaming session consider the risks that are involved and if you are willing to take them based on your circumstances.

• Financial Risk: The primary risk is losing money. It's crucial to only bet what you can comfortably afford to lose.

• Emotional and Mental Health Risk: Problematic gaming can lead to significant stress, anxiety, guilt, and can negatively impact relationships.

• Time and Opportunity Cost: Excessive time spent gaming takes away from other valuable life activities like work, hobbies, and time with loved ones.

How to spot the signs of harm?

It can be difficult to recognise when gaming is moving from a fun activity to a harmful one. Some signs of harm to look out for in yourself or others include:

• Financial Strain: Spending more money and time than you can afford, borrowing money to gamble, or prioritising gambling over essential expenses.

• Emotional Changes: Feeling stressed, anxious, guilty after gaming, or using gaming as a way to escape problems.

• Time Commitment: Spending increasing amounts of time gaming, neglecting work, family, or social obligations.

• Chasing Losses: Feeling the urge to immediately play again to try and win back money that has been lost.

• Hiding Behavior: Being secretive about your gaming habits or lying to family and friends about the extent of your play.

Tools to Help

We do have support in place to help you manage the time and spend in gambling. One way to set limit when you are gaming in one of our venues. 

Your Play (Victoria)

YourPlay, the Victoria’s pre-commitment scheme, empowers you to make informed decisions about their gaming machine play. 

Your Play allows you to:

• set limits of time or money spent

• keep track of their own gaming machine play across Victoria

YourPlay operates on all gaming machines Victoria and you can register or use a casual card within any of our venues as well as link it to your pub+ play card. 

For more information click here 

Voluntary Pre-Commitment (in your pub+ app)

For all other states and territories, you can also set time and spend limits in your pub+ app.

To set your Voluntary Pre-Commitment (VPC) limits for time and spend in the pub+ app:

• Access the 'Responsible Gaming' section from the main menu or your account profile.

• Select the 'Voluntary Pre-Commitment' option.

• Set your desired limits:

• Time Limit: Define the maximum amount of time you wish to spend gaming.

• Spend Limit: Define the maximum amount of money you are willing to spend (loss limit).

• Review and confirm your new limits to activate them

Self exclusion Schemes

Sometimes it is good to take a break from gaming. Self Exclusion Schemes in each state can help you do this. The  information will help you understand what is available and decide what suits your situation the best.

Helping Others

It can be challenging to help a friend or loved one who may be experiencing gaming-related harm. 

Here are some ways to help start the conversation with them if you are concerned:

• Start a Conversation: Speak to them privately in a non-judgmental and caring way, Being clear about your concern about their well-being, not just their gambling.

• Employ active listening: Allow them to share their feelings without interruption or criticism.

• Encourage seeking professional help: Suggest they speak with a professional support service. Emphasise that help is confidential and readily available.

• Set Boundaries: Protect your own well-being and finances by setting clear boundaries.

Gambling Help Support Services

There are a number of free and confidential specialist resources that are available depending on the support you might need.