Gambling is a common form of entertainment in many countries. It includes games at the casino such as poker and roulette, pokie machines, betting on horse races and sports matches, and many other games.

Gambling can become a problem for some people if:

• it becomes their main form of entertainment
• they think it is a way to make money
• they are betting more they can afford
• they get into debt because of gambling
• they feel depressed or stressed because of gambling

In some cases students get into so much trouble from gambling that they have had to return home or pay off very large debts.

If you do decide to visit the casino, play pokie machines or gamble on anything else, here are some tips to make it safer for you.

Information provided by the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health.

Follow these tips to make gambling safer for you.

1. Remember that gambling is for entertainment, not a way to make money. Want to know the real odds of winning? Click here.
2. Set yourself a money limit and stick to it.
3. Leave your ATM or credit cards at home, so you can’t withdraw more money than you intended.
4. If you lose money, it’s gone. If you try to chase your losses, you are likely to lose even more.
5. Don’t drink when you gamble. Alcohol can make you take bigger risks or make bad decisions.

Click here for more safer gambling tips.

Information provided by the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health.

Think you might have a gambling problem? Take this quiz and find out.

Gambler’s Help is a service for people affected by problem gambling. It can help you to control or stop gambling and also manage any gambling-related money problems.

• It is a free service for anyone, including international students.
• It is completely confidential. Gambler’s Help will not reveal anything that you tell them to anyone else.
• You can call the service ANY TIME, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• If you want an interpreter, just ask. It is also free.
• You can also call Gambler’s Help if you are affected by someone else’s gambling.

You can call Gambler’s Help on 1800 858 858 or find out more by clicking here.

Information provided by the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health.

If you think a friend of yours has a gambling problem, there are things that you can do to help them. Having someone to talk to and offer support is very important.

Click here for some ways to support problem gamblers.

Information provided by the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health.