Responsible Gaming

Gaming Should Be Entertainment

At Fish and Friends, we believe online pokies should be enjoyed as a form of entertainment only, not as a way to earn money or solve financial problems. If you're playing online pokies in New Zealand, it's important to gamble responsibly and within your means.

Set a budget you can afford to lose, play for fun, and remember that the house always has an edge. If gambling stops being enjoyable, it's time to seek help.

Age Verification

Online pokies are strictly for adults aged 18 years and over in New Zealand. If you're under 18, please do not gamble. We are committed to preventing underage gambling and support strict age verification measures across all licensed operators.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Do you recognise any of these signs in your own gambling behaviour?

• Spending more money or time gambling than intended
• Chasing losses by gambling more to try to win money back
• Lying to friends or family about how much you gamble
• Neglecting work, study, or family responsibilities
• Feeling anxious or irritable when not gambling
• Using gambling to escape problems or emotional distress
• Borrowing money or getting into debt to gamble
• Continuing to gamble despite negative consequences
• Failed attempts to cut down or stop gambling

If you've identified with several of these warning signs, problem gambling may be affecting your life. Please seek support immediately.

Self-Help Tools & Safer Gambling Features

Responsible online pokie operators in New Zealand offer tools to help you gamble safely:

• Deposit Limits: Set a maximum amount you can deposit within a specific timeframe (daily, weekly, or monthly)
• Loss Limits: Set a maximum amount you're willing to lose in a session or timeframe
• Time Limits: Receive reminders after a set period of play to encourage breaks
• Reality Checks: Pop-up messages that remind you how long you've been playing and how much you've wagered
• Self-Exclusion: Temporarily or permanently exclude yourself from a gaming site or across multiple sites
• Cooling-Off Period: Take a break from gambling to reassess your habits

Use these tools proactively. They're designed to support healthier gambling habits.

Support Organizations for Problem Gambling

New Zealand

• Problem Gambling Foundation (PGF)
  Free, confidential support and counselling for people affected by problem gambling
  Phone: 0800 664 262 (free call)
  Website: www.pgf.nz
• Gambling Harm Reduction
  Support and resources for problem gambling in Aotearoa New Zealand
  Website: www.gamblingharmreduction.nz

International Support (if needed)

• Australia: Gambling Help Online – www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
• United Kingdom: GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• United Kingdom: GamStop (self-exclusion scheme) – www.gamstop.co.uk
• Canada: Responsible Gambling Council – www.responsiblegambling.org
• United States: National Council on Problem Gambling – www.ncpgambling.org

If You're Struggling, Please Seek Help

Problem gambling is a serious issue, but help is available. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. Whether you're concerned about your own gambling or that of someone you care about, please contact one of the support organisations listed above.

You don't have to face this alone. Services like the Problem Gambling Foundation offer free, confidential support and can connect you with counselling and treatment options.

If you're in crisis, please call 1737: Call or Text (free, 24/7) for support with any mental health or emotional wellbeing issue in Aotearoa New Zealand.