Responsible Gaming
At kidscancookkitchen.org.nz, we are committed to promoting safe, fair, and responsible betting across New Zealand. Placing a bet should always be an enjoyable form of entertainment—never a method to generate income, pay off debts, or resolve financial difficulties. Always gamble with money you can afford to lose, and stay in control of your time and spending.
Underage Gambling & Age Verification (18+)
Underage gambling is illegal. In New Zealand, you must be at least 18 years old to participate in sports betting, purchase lotto products, or access offshore interactive gaming sites. Land-based casinos in New Zealand require individuals to be at least 20 years old.
We strictly advocate for rigorous age-verification processes. If you share devices with minors, we strongly recommend implementing parental control software—such as Net Nanny, Bark, or CyberPatrol—to restrict access to online gambling platforms.
Recognising the Signs of Problem Gambling
Gambling issues can develop gradually. It is important to regularly assess your habits. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you gambling with money earmarked for essentials like rent, food, or bills?
- Do you find yourself “chasing losses”—betting more to recover what you have lost?
- Do you lie to family, friends, or colleagues about how much time or money you spend betting?
- Have you felt anxious, stressed, depressed, or guilty because of your gambling activities?
- Are you borrowing money or selling possessions to fund bets?
- Have you tried to cut back or stop gambling entirely, but found yourself unable to do so?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, your gambling may no longer be recreational.
Player Protection & Self-Help Tools
Reputable betting operators provide built-in tools to help you stay within your personal boundaries. We urge all players to take advantage of these features upon opening an account:
- Deposit Limits: Restrict the maximum amount of money you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
- Loss and Wagering Limits: Cap the net amount you are permitted to lose or wager over a set period.
- Session Limits & Reality Checks: Receive automated notifications reminding you how long you have been logged in, prompting you to take regular breaks.
- Cool-Off Periods: Temporarily suspend your betting account for a short duration (e.g., 24 hours to 30 days).
- Self-Exclusion: Block access to your account entirely for longer periods—ranging from 6 months to permanently. During self-exclusion, operators will not allow you to deposit or place wagers.
Get Help & Support in New Zealand
If you or someone you care about is experiencing gambling-related harm, free, professional, and completely confidential support is available 24/7 across New Zealand:
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Gambling Helpline NZ: Free call and text support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone: 0800 654 655 | Free Text: 8006
Website: www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz -
PGF Services (Problem Gambling Foundation): Specialised counselling and support services for individuals and affected families.
Phone: 0800 664 262
Website: www.pgf.nz -
Safer Gambling Aotearoa (Health New Zealand): Educational resources, self-assessment questionnaires, and harm prevention advice.
Website: www.safergambling.org.nz -
Asian Family Services: Dedicated, culturally appropriate support and counselling in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, and other languages.
Phone: 0800 862 342
Website: www.asianfamilyservices.nz
Take Action Today
Recognising that your gambling is out of balance is the first and most courageous step toward recovery. You do not have to handle it on your own. Reach out to the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 today to speak with a trained professional who can help you regain control.