A gambling limit is a cap you set in advance on how much you deposit, lose, bet or how long you play. Limits work because they are decided before a session, when you are not reacting to a win or a loss. In Australia, licensed online wagering providers must offer deposit limits under the National Consumer Protection Framework. Offshore casinos usually offer similar tools, but on their own terms.

This page explains each type of limit, the rules that apply to Australian providers, how to choose numbers, and how to make limits harder to undo.

Types of Limits

Limit	What it caps	Strength	Weakness
Deposit limit	Money added to the account per day, week or month	Simple; controls new money	Winnings can still be replayed
Loss limit	Net losses over a period	Directly caps the cost	Not offered everywhere
Wager (bet) limit	Total amount staked over a period	Caps play volume	Less intuitive to set
Session (time) limit	Time logged in or playing	Controls hours	Does not cap spending
Single-bet limit	Maximum stake per bet or spin	Slows losses	Easy to work around with more spins

Deposit and session limits together cover most of the risk: one controls money, the other time.

Rules at Australian-Licensed Betting Sites

Under Measure 6 of the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering:

• every licensed online wagering provider must offer deposit limits;
• limits cannot be increased on the spot: a request to raise a limit takes effect only after 7 days;
• customers must be prompted to review their limits at least once a year;
• monthly activity statements (Measure 7, since 31 July 2022) show your deposits, wins and losses so you can check the limit is right.

These rules do not apply to offshore casinos. Many offshore casinos let you raise a limit after 24 hours or after contacting support, and some apply changes immediately. Read the responsible gambling section of the casino’s terms before relying on its limits.

How to Choose Your Numbers

1. Start from your budget, not the casino. Work out your monthly discretionary money after rent, bills, food, debt repayments and savings. Our budgeting guide has a worksheet.
2. Set the monthly deposit limit at or below your gambling budget. For example, with A$1,000 of discretionary money a month, a gambling budget of A$100 means a monthly deposit limit of A$100.
3. Add a weekly limit. A$25 per week stops the whole month’s budget going in one night.
4. Add a session limit. 60 minutes is a practical starting point; online pokies can run several hundred spins an hour.
5. Match the stake to the session. With a A$25 session and A$0.50 spins, you have 50 spins of starting balance.

Expected cost check

Expected cost per hour = stake per spin × spins per hour × house edge. At A$0.50 per spin, 500 spins per hour and a 4% house edge (96% RTP), the expected cost is about A$10 per hour. Actual results swing widely around that figure. See house edge explained.

Setting Limits Step by Step

1. Log in and open account settings, usually under “Responsible gambling”, “Safer gambling” or “Limits”.
2. Choose the limit type and period (daily, weekly, monthly).
3. Enter the amount and confirm.
4. Take a screenshot showing the limit and the date.
5. Repeat at every site you use; limits do not carry over between operators.

Detailed walkthrough: how to set deposit limits.

Making Limits Stick

Measure	Effect
Set limits when calm, not after a loss	Avoids setting limits you plan to undo
Use the lowest of daily, weekly and monthly limits	Prevents front-loading
Bank gambling block on cards not used for gambling	Stops deposits from backup cards
A separate account with a fixed transfer for gambling	Physical cap on available money
Tell someone your limits	Adds accountability
Delete saved cards at casinos	Adds friction to extra deposits

If you find yourself asking a casino to raise or remove a limit, treat that as a warning sign. A short time-out may be a better step; see cooling-off periods.

Limits Across Different Sites

Limits are per operator. Someone with a A$100 monthly limit at five casinos has a A$500 limit in practice. Options:

• keep one account and close the others; see closing a casino account;
• divide your budget across sites so the total still matches it;
• use a bank-level control, which applies across all sites.

Time Limits and Reality Checks

Session limits stop play after a set time. Reality checks are reminders at intervals that show time played and net result. Use both. Our reality checks guide covers how to set them up and what to do when one appears, and the time management tips page adds practical routines.

When Limits Are Not Enough

Limits suit people who gamble occasionally and want structure. If you repeatedly hit limits, raise them, or open new accounts to get around them, the next step is self-exclusion; see self-exclusion and BetStop. The responsible gambling hub lists all the tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you keep reaching your limits or feel pressure to raise them, talk to Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 (free, confidential, 24/7). Gambling is for adults 18+ only.