Responsible Gambling
Gambling should be entertainment you pay for, like a movie ticket. This page sets out the tools Galactic Wins offers, the warning signs worth knowing, and the free help available across New Zealand.
Need help now? Call the Gambling Helpline NZ on 0800 654 655 or text 8006. It is free, confidential and open 24/7.
1. Treat every deposit as the cost of entertainment
Decide what you can afford to lose before you log in, and treat that money as spent. Bonuses, including Galactic Wins' NZ$7 no-deposit credit and welcome package, are there to extend play, not to make money. Never borrow to gamble and never use money meant for bills.
2. Five questions before you sign up
- Is this operator licensed, and by whom?
- Can I set deposit, loss and session limits myself?
- How do I self-exclude, and how quickly does it take effect?
- What are the wagering and withdrawal rules?
- Do I have a budget and a time limit for this session?
3. Tools available in your Galactic Wins account
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Caps how much you can add per day, week or month |
| Loss and wager limits | Stop play once a set amount has been lost or staked |
| Session-time limit | Ends a session after the time you choose |
| Reality check | Pop-up reminder of how long you have been playing |
| Time-out | Short break from your account |
| Self-exclusion | Blocks access for a longer period or permanently |
All of these are self-service from your account settings, with no need to contact support.
4. Self-exclusion in New Zealand
New Zealand does not currently run a single national self-exclusion register for online casinos. If you play offshore, the self-exclusion tool inside each casino account is your main barrier, so set it at every site you use. Venue-based exclusion for pokie venues and land-based casinos is available separately, and the Gambling Helpline NZ can help you arrange it.
5. Warning signs
- Spending more money or time than you planned
- Chasing losses or gambling to win back money
- Hiding gambling from family or friends
- Borrowing, or skipping bills, to keep playing
- Feeling anxious, irritable or low when you are not gambling
If any of these sound familiar, take a break and talk to someone.
6. New Zealand helplines and support
Gambling Helpline NZ
0800 654 655
Free, confidential 24/7 support by phone, or text 8006. Specialist Māori (0800 654 656), Pasifika (0800 654 657), youth (0800 654 659) and gambling debt (0800 654 658) lines. gamblinghelpline.co.nz
Problem Gambling Foundation
0800 664 262
Free counselling and support for people affected by gambling, including family and friends. Text 5819. pgf.nz
Asian Family Services
0800 862 342
Gambling harm support in several Asian languages. Text 832. asianfamilyservices.nz
Need to talk? 1737
1737
Free call or text, 24/7, to talk with a trained counsellor about stress, low mood or anything that feels too heavy, including gambling losses.
7. Practical safer-play habits
- Set a deposit limit before your first deposit, not after a loss.
- Play with a timer and take regular breaks.
- Avoid gambling when stressed, tired or after drinking.
- Keep gambling as one hobby among many.
8. Helping someone else
If someone close to you is struggling, the Problem Gambling Foundation on 0800 664 262 and the Gambling Helpline NZ both support family members and friends, including advice on how to start the conversation.
9. Our commitment
This site is for adults aged 18 and over. Every page links to free help, and we never present gambling as a way to earn money. How we handle content is set out in the Editorial Policy.
10. If you are in immediate danger
If you or someone else is at risk of harm, call 111. For urgent emotional support, call or text 1737 at any time.