Last updated: June 2026 — Dion Forsyth, Bonejointsurgeons
At Bonejointsurgeons, we believe that playing online pokies should always be an enjoyable and entertaining experience. Our team, led by Dion Forsyth, is genuinely committed to promoting safe, responsible gambling practices for every Australian player who visits our site. We are not simply ticking a compliance box — we care deeply about the wellbeing of our readers and the broader community. This page exists to give you honest, practical information so you can stay in control of your play at all times.
Online pokies are a form of entertainment. They are designed to be fun, but they carry real financial risk. Every spin is determined by a random number generator, meaning there is no strategy, system, or pattern that guarantees a win. Money spent on gambling should always be treated as the cost of entertainment — never as a way to make money, recover losses, or solve financial problems. If gambling starts to feel like anything other than fun, it is time to take a step back.
Problem gambling can affect anyone, regardless of age, income, or background. Recognising the warning signs early is one of the most important steps toward getting help. Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you or someone you know:
If you answered yes to two or more of these points, we strongly encourage you to seek support from one of the organisations listed further down this page.
The following quick checklist can help you evaluate your current relationship with gambling. Be honest — these answers are for your benefit alone.
If you cannot answer yes to all of these questions, it may be worth speaking to a professional or using one of the responsible gambling tools available at your casino of choice.
Reputable online casinos that we review on Bonejointsurgeons are required to offer a range of player protection tools. We only recommend platforms that take these obligations seriously. You should be able to access the following tools directly from your account settings:
Set a daily, weekly, or monthly cap on how much money you can deposit. Once your limit is reached, the casino will not allow further deposits until the period resets. You can typically lower your limit immediately, but increases are subject to a waiting period.
Reality check notifications remind you how long you have been playing and how much you have spent during a session. These prompts are a simple but effective way to maintain awareness of your gambling habits in real time.
A cooling-off period allows you to temporarily pause your account — usually for 24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days. During this time you cannot log in or place bets, giving you the space to reassess your habits without making a permanent decision.
Self-exclusion is a more formal option that allows you to close your account for an extended period, typically ranging from six months to five years or permanently. In Australia, the BetStop National Self-Exclusion Register (gamstop.com.au equivalent for AU) allows you to self-exclude from all licensed Australian online gambling services at once. We strongly encourage any player struggling to use this tool without hesitation.
If you are in Australia and need to speak to someone right now, the following free and confidential services are available to you:
The following organisations provide free, confidential support, resources, and counselling for problem gamblers and their families:
Bonejointsurgeons operates a strict 18+ only policy across all content and recommendations on this website. Gambling is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 in Australia, and we fully support age verification measures enforced by licensed operators. If you are aware of a minor attempting to access gambling services, please contact the relevant platform immediately and encourage parental controls on shared devices.
Dion Forsyth and the entire Bonejointsurgeons team are proud to promote responsible gambling as a core value — not an afterthought. If you ever feel that gambling has stopped being fun, please use the tools and contacts on this page. There is no shame in asking for help, and support is always available. Play smart, stay safe, and enjoy pokies the way they were meant to be enjoyed — responsibly.