Responsible Gaming

Responsible gaming means enjoying gambling as a form of entertainment while keeping full control over your time, your money, and your decisions. On stakebet-au.com (Stake, "Stake") we encourage a conscious, informed approach to betting so that it never becomes a way to solve financial problems or cope with stress.

This page explains the risks associated with gambling, the tools available to help you manage your play, and where to seek independent support. Stake is operated by Medium Rare N.V., registered in Curaçao under company number 145353 and holding a sub-license 8048/JAZ. The service is not licensed in Australia under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, and Australian residents must comply with local laws and any Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) restrictions. Regardless of your location, if you experience harm or loss of control, we strongly encourage you to pause play and use the support options described below.

Our support team is committed to working with you to maintain healthy gambling behaviour, including by providing tools, information, and - where needed - restrictions on your account to reduce the risk of harm.

Risk Awareness

Gambling involves financial risk and can lead to addiction. Understanding early warning signs helps you recognise when entertainment is turning into a problem. The following behaviours may indicate increasing risk or gambling harm:

• Betting more frequently, with higher stakes, or for longer sessions than you originally planned.
• Thinking about gambling a lot of the time, including at work, school, or during family activities.
• Chasing losses - placing new bets to try to quickly recover money you have lost.
• Spending money on gambling that you had allocated to bills, rent, food, or other essentials.
• Borrowing money, selling belongings, or using credit to fund your gambling.
• Lying to friends or family about how much time or money you spend on gambling.
• Feeling anxious, depressed, irritable, or guilty after gambling, but continuing to gamble anyway.
• Neglecting work, study, or family responsibilities because of gambling.

If you recognise several of these behaviours, you may be at risk and should consider using the tools and support services described on this page.

Quick Self-Assessment

Ask yourself the following questions. Answering "yes" to one or more suggests you should seek advice or support:

• Do I gamble with money that I really cannot afford to lose?
• Do I often gamble longer than I intended or until all my available funds are gone?
• Have I tried to cut down or stop gambling but found it difficult?
• Do I hide my gambling or lie about how much I spend?
• Has my gambling caused arguments, financial problems, or stress in my relationships?
• Do I feel restless or irritable when I cannot gamble?

This self-check is not a diagnosis, but it can help you decide whether to contact professional services or use stronger protection measures such as self-exclusion.

Limits & Tools

Stake provides account-based tools intended to help you control your gambling. These tools are for your protection and can be adjusted to fit your personal circumstances. Features may vary by jurisdiction and are subject to technical availability, but the principles below apply to Stake on stakebet-au.com.

Deposit Limits

Deposit limits allow you to cap the total amount you can deposit into your Stake account over a chosen period. To set or adjust a deposit limit:

1. Log in to your account on stakebet-au.com.
2. Navigate to Account > Responsible Gaming (or a similar "Limits" section in your profile).
3. Select Deposit Limits.
4. Choose the desired period:
   • Daily limit (e.g. AUD 50 per day)
   • Weekly limit (e.g. AUD 150 per week)
   • Monthly limit (e.g. AUD 500 per month)
5. Enter the maximum amount you are prepared to deposit in the chosen currency for each period.
6. Confirm your changes and read any on-screen notice explaining how and when the new limits will take effect.

In line with safer-gambling practice, requests to lower your limits usually take effect immediately, while requests to increase or remove limits may be subject to a waiting period and confirmation step to prevent impulsive decisions.

Time and Session Limits

Monitoring how long you play is as important as controlling how much you spend. Where available, Stake provides tools such as:

• Session Timers / Reality Checks: Notifications that appear after a chosen period (for example every 30, 60, or 120 minutes) reminding you how long you have been active and summarising your net result.
• Session Length Limits: A maximum session duration after which you are automatically logged out and must take a compulsory break.

To configure these settings:

1. Log in and go to Account > Responsible Gaming.
2. Select Time Limits or Session Control.
3. Choose reminder intervals and/or maximum session length that suit you (for example, a reminder every 60 minutes and a maximum session of 2 hours).
4. Save the settings. The system will then enforce these limits automatically.

Short-Term Breaks ("Time-Out")

If you feel you need a brief pause but are not yet ready for a longer self-exclusion, you can take a short-term "Time-Out" where available. During a Time-Out you cannot place bets or make deposits.

To activate a Time-Out:

1. Log in and open Account > Responsible Gaming > Time-Out.
2. Select the desired break duration, for example:
   • 24 hours
   • 48 hours
   • 72 hours
3. Read the information about what will happen during your Time-Out (for example, no deposits, no wagers, limited access to games).
4. Confirm the Time-Out. In most cases, the break starts immediately and cannot be cancelled.

If you cannot access your account or cannot locate these options, please contact our support team who can guide you or apply appropriate limits on your behalf.

Self-Exclusion

Self-exclusion is a stronger protective measure designed for players who feel that gambling is harming them or who are at serious risk. It involves blocking access to your Stake account for a defined period or permanently. Self-exclusion is a serious decision and should be taken when you are certain you need a long-term break.

How to Request Self-Exclusion

1. Log in to your Stake account on stakebet-au.com.
2. Go to Account > Responsible Gaming > Self-Exclusion (the wording may appear as "Self-Ban" or "Permanent Exclusion").
3. Choose the desired exclusion period, for example:
   • 6 months
   • 1 year
   • 2 - 5 years
   • Lifetime (permanent)
4. Read the explanatory text carefully, including the consequences for access, bonuses, and any remaining balance.
5. Confirm your decision by following the on-screen steps (for example, re-entering your password and clicking "Confirm Self-Exclusion").

If you are unable to log in, you may request self-exclusion by contacting our support team via email and clearly stating your wish to be self-excluded, the email address linked to your Stake account, and the desired duration. For your protection, our team may set a minimum exclusion period even if you request a shorter one.

Consequences of Self-Exclusion

• Account Access: You will not be able to log in, deposit funds, or place wagers for the duration of the exclusion. In the case of a lifetime exclusion, this restriction is intended to be permanent.
• Marketing and Promotions: We will take reasonable steps to stop sending you marketing communications related to gambling as soon as practicable after the exclusion is applied.
• Existing Bets and Balance:
  • Settled bets remain valid according to the applicable Terms and Conditions.
  • Unsettled bets placed before the exclusion normally stand; settlement will occur as usual unless otherwise required by law or our Terms.
  • You may, subject to identity and security checks, request withdrawal of any remaining real-money balance. Bonus funds or non-withdrawable credits may be forfeited in line with the Terms.
• Changes or Early Reopening: For fixed-term exclusions, early reopening is generally not permitted. When the exclusion period ends, there may be a cooling-off phase and additional confirmation checks before any reactivation. Lifetime exclusions are intended to remain in place indefinitely.

Please be aware that self-exclusion applies only to the specific account and website covered by your request (stakebet-au.com). If you hold accounts with other operators or under different details, you should consider excluding yourself with those operators and using external self-exclusion schemes where available in your jurisdiction.

Support Resources

If you are worried about your gambling - or about someone close to you - independent professional support can provide confidential advice, counselling, and crisis assistance. The organisations below are not part of Stake; contacting them does not affect your account status, and they will not share your information with us without your consent except where required by law.

Local Support - Australia

• National Gambling Helpline (Australia)
  • Phone: 1800 858 858 (free, from anywhere in Australia)
  • Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • Services: Immediate counselling, information, and referral to local face-to-face services for gamblers and affected others.
  • Languages: English; access to many other languages via the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National).
  • Website: gamblinghelponline.org.au - live chat, email counselling, and self-help tools.
• Gambling Help Online
  • Website: www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
  • Hours: Online chat and email support available 24/7.
  • Who they help: People experiencing gambling harm and their family or friends, with self-assessment tools, forums, and information on financial counselling.

If you are in immediate distress or at risk of harm, you should also consider contacting emergency or crisis services in Australia, such as Lifeline on 13 11 14, or calling 000 in an emergency.

International Support Organisations

These services provide confidential support globally through phone, online chat, email, and in-person meetings. Their websites include forums and resources for both gamblers and affected others.

National Self-Exclusion Schemes

In addition to the self-exclusion tools on Stake, some countries operate nationwide self-exclusion registers that cover all licensed gambling operators in that jurisdiction. Examples include:

• Australia - BetStop (National Self-Exclusion Register): For licensed Australian interactive wagering providers. Visit www.betstop.gov.au to exclude yourself from all participating services. Stake is not licensed in Australia and is not part of BetStop, but you may still register to limit access to other services.
• United Kingdom - GAMSTOP: Register at www.gamstop.co.uk to block online gambling with participating UK-licensed operators.
• Spain - RGIAJ (Registro General de Interdicciones de Acceso al Juego): Information is available from the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) at www.ordenacionjuego.es.
• Sweden - Spelpaus: National self-exclusion for Swedish-licensed gambling at www.spelpaus.se.
• Denmark - ROFUS: Register of voluntary exclusion operated by the Danish Gambling Authority at www.spillemyndigheden.dk.

If your country operates a similar register, consider using it in addition to any operator-specific self-exclusion.

Blocking Software and Device Controls

To reduce temptation and prevent access to gambling websites or apps, you can install specialist blocking tools on your devices. These tools are independent from Stake and can provide additional protection:

• Gamban - Software that blocks access to many gambling sites and apps. See gamban.com.
• BetBlocker - Free blocking software for multiple platforms, available at betblocker.org.
• Parental Control Tools - Many operating systems and routers allow you to restrict access to certain categories of websites, which can help protect minors from gambling content.

Stake is not responsible for third-party software or services, but we encourage you to consider them if you are concerned about access to gambling sites.

Family and Friends - Support Resources

Family members and friends affected by someone else's gambling can receive support in their own right. Helpful resources include:

• Gambling Help Online (Australia) - Sections specifically for family and friends, with forums and information: www.gamblinghelponline.org.au.
• GamCare Forum (UK-based, accessible worldwide) - Online community for gamblers and affected others: www.gamcare.org.uk/forum.
• Gambling Therapy Forums - International peer-support forums and groups: www.gamblingtherapy.org.

These services are confidential and independent. They can help you understand gambling harm, protect your own wellbeing, and plan practical steps.

Help for Family

Gambling problems can have a serious impact on partners, children, and other family members. If you are worried about someone's gambling, you are not alone, and support is available to you as well as to the gambler.

Talking to Someone About Their Gambling

• Choose the right time and place: Have the conversation in a calm, private setting when neither of you is rushed or upset.
• Focus on behaviours and impact, not blame: Use "I" statements such as "I'm worried because..." or "I feel anxious when..." rather than accusations like "You always..." or "You never...".
• Be specific: Explain what you have noticed - missing money, secrecy, changes in mood, or time spent online - without exaggerating.
• Listen actively: Allow them to speak and express their feelings. They may initially deny there is a problem, feel ashamed, or be afraid of consequences.
• Avoid ultimatums unless necessary for safety: While boundaries are important, sudden ultimatums can escalate conflict. Plan any boundaries carefully, ideally with professional advice.
• Encourage professional support: Suggest contacting helplines or counselling services together, or offer to support them in making the first call.

Looking After Yourself

• Seek independent advice: Use services like the National Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858) or Gambling Help Online for guidance on how to manage the situation and protect your finances.
• Protect your finances: Consider separating bank accounts, limiting shared access to credit cards, and seeking financial counselling if debts exist.
• Set clear boundaries: Decide what you are and are not willing to do (for example, not lending money to cover gambling losses), and communicate these boundaries calmly.
• Access peer support: Online forums and support groups can connect you with others facing similar challenges, reducing isolation.

Family Support Groups and Next Steps

The following resources can help families and friends of people experiencing gambling problems:

• Gambling Help Online - For Family & Friends - Information, self-help tools, and forums: gamblinghelponline.org.au/i-am-affected-by-someone-elses-gambling.
• GamCare (UK) - Offers online groups and counselling for affected others worldwide: www.gamcare.org.uk.
• Gambling Therapy - International support for families via online groups and forums: www.gamblingtherapy.org.

Where gambling has led to significant emotional distress, depression, anxiety, or conflict, consider seeking help from a registered psychotherapist, psychologist, or counsellor. Your local doctor (GP) can provide referrals. If you feel at risk of harm, contact emergency services or a crisis line immediately.

Operator's Commitment

Stake, operated by Medium Rare N.V. from Curaçao under licence 8048/JAZ, is committed to promoting responsible gambling and reducing the risk of harm. Although the service is not licensed in Australia and is subject to Curaçao regulation rather than Australian licensing frameworks, we seek to apply recognised industry standards for player protection as far as technically and legally possible.

Behavioural Monitoring and Risk Checks

To help identify potential gambling harm, we may use automated and manual checks based on your activity on stakebet-au.com. These checks can include:

• Frequency and duration of sessions, including unusually long or continuous play without breaks.
• Significant increases in deposit amounts, bet sizes, or net losses over a short period.
• Patterns of chasing losses, such as repeatedly increasing stakes after losing bets.
• Multiple failed deposit attempts or rapid switching between payment methods.
• Use of self-exclusion, repeated account closures for "gambling reasons", or frequent requests to reverse limits.

Where our systems detect behaviour that may indicate increased risk, we may apply safeguards such as displaying on-screen warnings, suggesting limits or breaks, or restricting certain features until further checks are completed.

Proactive Contact and Interventions

Subject to applicable privacy and data protection laws, our responsible gaming or support teams may contact you if we identify worrying patterns, including but not limited to:

• Substantial or rapid increases in deposits or losses compared with your usual behaviour.
• Evidence of repeated attempts to circumvent previously requested limits or exclusions.
• Direct statements in chats or messages indicating distress, loss of control, or harmful gambling.

In such cases, we may:

• Reach out via in-account messages or email to offer information on limits, Time-Outs, or self-exclusion.
• Recommend you take a break and provide links to professional help and national helplines (for example, Gambling Help Online in Australia).
• Impose or adjust limits, or suspend account access where we reasonably believe this is necessary to protect you or comply with our regulatory obligations.

Nothing on this page limits your right to request stronger measures at any time, including immediate self-exclusion. We also remind Australian residents that the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits certain online gambling services and that ACMA may block access to non-compliant sites, including global domains related to Stake. You should not use stakebet-au.com if doing so breaches local law.

Updates

Responsible gambling standards, regulatory requirements, and our internal policies may change over time. We may update this page to reflect new tools, legal developments, or improvements to our procedures.

• How we notify you:
  • By updating this page on stakebet-au.com with the latest information.
  • By on-site notifications, such as banners or messages in your account area, highlighting material changes.
  • By email, where we consider changes to be significant or where we are legally required to notify you.
• Your responsibility:
  • You should review this page regularly to understand the current tools, policies, and support options.
  • Continued use of the service after updates may be treated as acceptance of the updated terms or practices, where applicable.

Last updated: 22 February 2026.

Contact & Feedback

If you have questions about responsible gambling, wish to apply limits or self-exclusion, or want to provide feedback on our policies, you can contact our dedicated team.

Responsible Gaming Department Contact

• Email: [email protected]
• General Support Email: [email protected]
• Phone (international): +61 2 8010 7777 (standard call charges apply; hours may vary)

When contacting us about responsible gambling, please clearly state that your request relates to safer-gambling measures (for example, "self-exclusion", "deposit limit", or "Time-Out") so that we can prioritise and handle your request appropriately.

Feedback and Self-Control Request Form

Responsible Gaming - Contact & Feedback

Full name (optional):


Email address used on Stake:


Stake username or account ID (optional):


Reason for contact:
Please select Set or change deposit/time limits Request Time-Out (short break) Request self-exclusion Request information about responsible gambling Provide feedback or complaint about responsible gambling

Details of your request:


Submit request

Please do not include sensitive financial information (such as full card numbers) in this form or in email. We will handle your request as soon as reasonably practicable and may contact you for additional verification before applying certain measures, such as self-exclusion or limit changes.

Important: This page is provided for information and harm-minimisation purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or therapeutic advice. Always follow the laws of your country or state and seek independent professional guidance where necessary.