Responsible Gambling at Casumo NZ

Gambling is meant to be entertaining. For most people, playing pokies or joining a live dealer table is a fun way to spend some time, not a way to make money or escape from life's pressures. At Casumo, we take our responsibility to player wellbeing seriously, and we want every person who plays with us to stay in control of their experience.

This page explains the safer gambling tools available to you, the signs that gambling may be becoming a problem, and where to find confidential help in New Zealand. Please read it carefully, and reach out any time you need support.

You must be 18 or older to gamble with Casumo. If you are under 18, please leave now.

Keeping Gambling Fun: The Basics

Before we get into the tools and resources, it helps to think about what healthy gambling looks like. Gambling is entertainment, the same way going to a concert or a sports event is entertainment. You spend money, you enjoy the experience, and you accept that the cost is the price of that enjoyment.

Some helpful habits to keep gambling in a healthy place:

Set a budget before you play, and stick to it regardless of how the session goes.
Never gamble with money you need for rent, food, bills, or other essentials.
Treat any winnings as a bonus, not as income you can rely on.
Take regular breaks during a session rather than playing for hours at a stretch.
Do not gamble when you are feeling stressed, anxious, upset, or under the influence of alcohol.
Balance gambling with other hobbies and social activities.

If gambling ever starts to feel like something you have to do rather than something you choose to do, that is a signal worth paying attention to.

Safer Gambling Tools Available to You

Casumo provides a range of practical tools that put you in control of how you gamble. These are not obstacles, they are features designed to support you. You can access them through your account settings at any time.

Deposit Limits

A deposit limit lets you set a maximum amount you can deposit into your account over a set period, daily, weekly, or monthly. Once you reach your limit, no further deposits are accepted until the period resets. Setting a deposit limit is one of the most effective ways to make sure your gambling spending stays within a budget you are genuinely comfortable with. You can set or lower a deposit limit immediately. If you want to increase a limit, a waiting period applies to give you time to reflect on that decision.

Loss Limits

A loss limit works similarly to a deposit limit, but it tracks how much you have lost in net terms over a given period. Once you hit your loss limit, you will not be able to continue playing until the limit period resets. This tool is particularly useful if you find that chasing losses is something you struggle with, because it removes the option before the situation escalates.

Session Time Limits

It is easy to lose track of time when you are caught up in a game. A session time limit lets you decide in advance how long you are willing to play in a single sitting. When your time is up, you will be notified and your session will end. You choose the duration that works for you, whether that is thirty minutes or a couple of hours. Combining a session time limit with a deposit or loss limit gives you a strong double layer of protection.

Reality Checks

A reality check is a periodic reminder that appears on your screen during play to let you know how long you have been gambling and how much you have spent or won during that session. It is a gentle prompt to pause, assess how you are feeling, and decide whether you want to keep playing or stop. Reality checks do not force you to stop, but they do interrupt the flow of play in a way that encourages a conscious decision rather than an automatic one.

Cooling-Off Periods

If you feel you need a short break from gambling but are not ready to close your account permanently, a cooling-off period lets you take a defined break, typically ranging from a day to several weeks. During a cooling-off period your account is suspended and you cannot log in or deposit. When the period ends, your account becomes accessible again. This tool is helpful if you feel things are getting a bit much and you want to step back and reassess without making a permanent decision.

Self-Exclusion

Self-exclusion is a stronger measure for people who feel they need a longer or indefinite break from gambling. When you self-exclude, your account is closed and you will not be able to open a new account with Casumo during the exclusion period. Self-exclusion periods can range from several months to permanent closure. We will also do our best to ensure you are removed from any marketing communications during this time.

If you self-exclude from Casumo, we strongly encourage you to also self-exclude from other gambling operators you use. In New Zealand, you can speak with the Gambling Helpline for guidance on broader self-exclusion options available to you.

To request self-exclusion or any of the tools described above, log into your account and visit the Responsible Gambling section, or contact our support team directly.

Recognising the Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can develop gradually, and it often affects people who never expected it would happen to them. It is not about willpower or character. It is a recognised condition that responds well to support and treatment.

Some signs that gambling may be becoming a problem for you or someone you care about:

Spending more money or more time gambling than you planned to.
Returning to gamble in order to win back money you have lost (chasing losses).
Lying to family, friends, or a partner about how much you gamble or how much money you have spent.
Feeling irritable, restless, or anxious when you are not gambling.
Gambling to escape from stress, depression, loneliness, or other difficult feelings.
Neglecting work, study, family responsibilities, or personal health because of gambling.
Borrowing money, selling belongings, or struggling with debt as a result of gambling.
Feeling guilt or shame about your gambling but continuing anyway.
Making repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop.
Thinking about gambling constantly, even when you are doing other things.

If any of these feel familiar, please reach out for help. Recognising a problem is a genuine act of courage, and effective, confidential support is available right now in New Zealand.

Getting Help in New Zealand

You do not have to manage this alone, and you do not have to be in crisis before you ask for support. New Zealand has dedicated, free, and confidential services for anyone concerned about their own gambling or the gambling of someone close to them.

Gambling Helpline NZ

Phone: 0800 654 655

The Gambling Helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can call to talk with a trained counsellor about your situation. Calls are completely free and confidential. You can also text or access online chat through the helpline service. The counsellors are experienced in helping people work through gambling-related concerns and can connect you with local support services, face-to-face counselling, and financial guidance if needed.

Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand

The Problem Gambling Foundation provides free counselling across New Zealand, both in person and online. Their team works with people affected by gambling, including family members and loved ones who are dealing with the impact of someone else's gambling. You can find them through the Gambling Helpline or search directly for their services in your region.

Skylight

Skylight offers support for families affected by problem gambling, including practical help and counselling for children and young people who have been impacted by a parent or caregiver's gambling.

Financial Mentoring

If gambling has created financial stress, organisations such as MoneyTalks (0800 345 123) can connect you with a free financial mentor who can help you look at your situation practically and work toward a plan.

Support for Friends and Family

Problem gambling affects the people around the gambler, not just the person who is gambling. If someone you love is gambling in a way that concerns you, it is completely appropriate to seek support for yourself. You do not need to wait for them to be ready. The Gambling Helpline (0800 654 655) is there for you too, whether you need advice on how to approach a difficult conversation, or simply someone to talk to about how you are feeling.

Our Commitment

Casumo is licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA/CRP/217/2012). Our safer gambling programme is part of the conditions of that licence, and we take those obligations seriously. We continuously review our tools and processes to make sure they are working effectively for our players.

If you ever feel that our tools or processes have not worked as they should, or if you have feedback on how we can do better, please contact our support team. We are here to help.

Please remember: gambling should always be a choice, never a need. If it stops feeling that way, help is a phone call away.

18+ only. Gambling can be addictive. Please play responsibly. Gambling Helpline NZ: 0800 654 655 (free, 24/7, confidential).