Proven gaming hygiene advice sites
Introduction
Game hygiene is a collection of practices and habits that help control gambling entertainment and prevent the development of problem behavior. Australia has a number of dedicated online portals and apps offering up-to-date information, interactive tools and professional help. Below is a list of reliable resources, divided into categories, and recommendations for their use.
1. Government resources
1. 1 Gambler’s Help (Victoria)
What it offers: free online guides, self-testing (PGSI questionnaires), instructions for setting limits and self-exclusion.
Tools: budget calculator, checklists for risk assessment, 1800 858 858 hotline contacts.
Advantage: materials adapted to Victorian legislation, but relevant for the whole of Australia.
1. 2 BetStop (Federal Program)
What it offers: A centralized self-exclusion system for all licensed operators in Australia.
Tools: single sign-up to block accounts for a period of 6 months. up to life.
Advantage: instant activation through an online form, a single profile for all sites.
1. 3 Office of Responsible Gambling (Queensland)
What it offers: instructions for setting limits, information booklets, interactive webinars.
Tools: electronic courses "Excitement under control" and a base of proven psychologists and consultants.
2. NPOs and independent platforms
2. 1 GambleAware Australia
What it offers: risk studies, articles on cognitive biases, podcasts with experts.
Tools: online chat 24/7, links to support groups and trainings; free PDF guides.
Advantage: neutral platform without operator ads, supported by several states.
2. 2 LiveWire (Youth Support)
What it offers: materials for young people (18-25 years old): game diaries, videos about psychological literacy, mobile reminders about breaks.
Tools: messenger bot for tracking emotions and bets, access to support chat rooms.
2. 3 GamCare & RG Life (international support)
What it offers: English-language content on global best practices, localised recommendations for Australia.
Tools: a detailed "guide to limits," exercises to reduce anxiety, research article databases.
3. Thematic blogs and forums
3. 1 Reddit — r/responsiblegambling
What it offers: the experience of users from different countries, discussions of self-control applications, reviews of psychologists.
Tools: the ability to ask a question and get advice in real time.
Advantage: A wide range of opinions, but critically assess councils for compliance with Australian law.
3. 2 Responsible Wagering Australia
What it offers: betting analytics, an automated report on player behavior, a blog with insights on risks and trends.
Tools: dashboard for monitoring the time and amount of bets, notifications when thresholds are exceeded.
4. Mobile apps and online tools
1. Gamble Aware Diary App
Keeping a daily log of bets and emotional state.
Spending schedules and benchmarking against recommended limits.
2. SelfControl (iOS/Android)
Pause timers and scheduled site blocker.
Time reminders and limit notifications.
3. PGSI Online Survey
Problem Gambling Severity Index Short Test.
Personal recommendations and links to resources depending on the result.
5. How to use these resources effectively
1. Comprehensive approach: connect information from state portals (Gambler's Help, BetStop) with interactive tools of NGOs (GambleAware, LiveWire).
2. Regular self-checks: Take PGSI surveys at least once a month and enter the data in the betting log.
3. Set up automation: Use blocker applications and timers to maintain pauses and time control.
4. Asking for help: If a game is suspected of getting out of control, contact immediately via GambleAware online chat or local service hotlines.
5. Community and experience sharing: Participate in forums and support groups, but check for local applicability of advice to Australian realities.
Conclusion
Access to proven sites and gaming hygiene tools is the basis of safe gambling. The combination of official programs (Gambler's Help, BetStop), independent platforms (GambleAware, LiveWire), thematic communities and mobile applications allows you to develop a personal plan for a responsible game, identify risks in a timely manner and receive professional support. Use this list as a starting point - and let excitement remain a controlled and enjoyable hobby.
Game hygiene is a collection of practices and habits that help control gambling entertainment and prevent the development of problem behavior. Australia has a number of dedicated online portals and apps offering up-to-date information, interactive tools and professional help. Below is a list of reliable resources, divided into categories, and recommendations for their use.
1. Government resources
1. 1 Gambler’s Help (Victoria)
What it offers: free online guides, self-testing (PGSI questionnaires), instructions for setting limits and self-exclusion.
Tools: budget calculator, checklists for risk assessment, 1800 858 858 hotline contacts.
Advantage: materials adapted to Victorian legislation, but relevant for the whole of Australia.
1. 2 BetStop (Federal Program)
What it offers: A centralized self-exclusion system for all licensed operators in Australia.
Tools: single sign-up to block accounts for a period of 6 months. up to life.
Advantage: instant activation through an online form, a single profile for all sites.
1. 3 Office of Responsible Gambling (Queensland)
What it offers: instructions for setting limits, information booklets, interactive webinars.
Tools: electronic courses "Excitement under control" and a base of proven psychologists and consultants.
2. NPOs and independent platforms
2. 1 GambleAware Australia
What it offers: risk studies, articles on cognitive biases, podcasts with experts.
Tools: online chat 24/7, links to support groups and trainings; free PDF guides.
Advantage: neutral platform without operator ads, supported by several states.
2. 2 LiveWire (Youth Support)
What it offers: materials for young people (18-25 years old): game diaries, videos about psychological literacy, mobile reminders about breaks.
Tools: messenger bot for tracking emotions and bets, access to support chat rooms.
2. 3 GamCare & RG Life (international support)
What it offers: English-language content on global best practices, localised recommendations for Australia.
Tools: a detailed "guide to limits," exercises to reduce anxiety, research article databases.
3. Thematic blogs and forums
3. 1 Reddit — r/responsiblegambling
What it offers: the experience of users from different countries, discussions of self-control applications, reviews of psychologists.
Tools: the ability to ask a question and get advice in real time.
Advantage: A wide range of opinions, but critically assess councils for compliance with Australian law.
3. 2 Responsible Wagering Australia
What it offers: betting analytics, an automated report on player behavior, a blog with insights on risks and trends.
Tools: dashboard for monitoring the time and amount of bets, notifications when thresholds are exceeded.
4. Mobile apps and online tools
1. Gamble Aware Diary App
Keeping a daily log of bets and emotional state.
Spending schedules and benchmarking against recommended limits.
2. SelfControl (iOS/Android)
Pause timers and scheduled site blocker.
Time reminders and limit notifications.
3. PGSI Online Survey
Problem Gambling Severity Index Short Test.
Personal recommendations and links to resources depending on the result.
5. How to use these resources effectively
1. Comprehensive approach: connect information from state portals (Gambler's Help, BetStop) with interactive tools of NGOs (GambleAware, LiveWire).
2. Regular self-checks: Take PGSI surveys at least once a month and enter the data in the betting log.
3. Set up automation: Use blocker applications and timers to maintain pauses and time control.
4. Asking for help: If a game is suspected of getting out of control, contact immediately via GambleAware online chat or local service hotlines.
5. Community and experience sharing: Participate in forums and support groups, but check for local applicability of advice to Australian realities.
Conclusion
Access to proven sites and gaming hygiene tools is the basis of safe gambling. The combination of official programs (Gambler's Help, BetStop), independent platforms (GambleAware, LiveWire), thematic communities and mobile applications allows you to develop a personal plan for a responsible game, identify risks in a timely manner and receive professional support. Use this list as a starting point - and let excitement remain a controlled and enjoyable hobby.
