ONLINE GAMING
Gambling-like features
in online games
Children can see and engage in gambling in many different ways
Think, feel and act
Why children might get hooked on gambling while playing online
Why It Matters
Engaging with gambling-like features whilst gaming online can affect children both now and in the future
What you can do
Family and friends can help children to stay safe and have fun while gaming
ONLINE BETTING

Online Betting
Young people are getting hit with a “perfect storm”
Think, feel and act
Why young people get hooked on betting
Why It Matters
The risks and harms of betting
What you can do
Strategies and Supports can help to reduce harm
TOOLS

Online Gaming

Check Your Game
Find out what gambling-like features are in your games
Conversation Guide
Get some tips on how to talk about gaming and gambling with your child
Steps to Reduce Risk
Practical ways to setup parental controls and limits to help manage gambling-like features in games
Common Types of Gambling
Identify the gambling-like features in games and understand how they work

Online Betting

A Quick Self-Check
Take a quiz to find out how concerned you should be about your gambling
Self-Exclusion & Blocking Tools
Practical ways to set limits on your gambling

General

Spending Calculator
Calculate gambling spending for yourself or help someone understand theirs
Is it Gambling? Quiz
Find out which gambling products are legally available in Australia
PUBLICATIONS
IMMEDIATE HELP
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Is It Gambling? - Educational Quiz

Is It Gambling?

An Educational Quiz Based on ACT Gambling Data

Understanding Gambling in the ACT

Definition of Gambling: Gambling is when you use money or something valuable to try and win more, but you don't know if you will win or lose.

How to play: For each activity below, select whether it's legally classified as gambling in the ACT or not.

1

Poker Machines (Pokies)

Description: Electronic gaming machines (pokies) found in clubs and pubs across the ACT that let players bet money on random outcomes for a chance to win prizes.

Gambling
Not Gambling
Only if Money Involved
Gambling Even Without Money

By Definition:

✓ Gambling

By ACT Law:

✓ Gambling (Regulated)

Money Requirement:

Always involves real money

Poker machines are gambling because you pay to play, it's all luck, and you'll probably lose your money. In Australia they account for close to 50% of all gambling losses.
2

Lotto/Lottery Tickets

Description: Weekly lottery draws like Oz Lotto, Powerball, Saturday Lotto, plus instant scratch cards available at newsagents and online.

Gambling
Not Gambling
Only if Money Involved
Gambling Even Without Money

By Definition:

✓ Gambling

By ACT Law:

✓ Gambling (Regulated)

Money Requirement:

Always involves real money

Lotteries are gambling because you pay money for a chance to win a prize, but you'll probably lose. The outcome depends entirely on luck, not skill. In Australia, your chances of winning the main prize in Saturday Lotto are about 1 in 8 million, and for Powerball it's about 1 in 134 million.
3

Loot Boxes in Video Games

Description: You pay real money (or in-game currency) for a random chance to get items (often skins or characters) that you think might give you an advantage or help enhance your game experience.

Gambling
Not Gambling
Only if Money Involved
Gambling Even Without Money

By Definition:

✓ Gambling (when purchased)

By ACT Law:

✗ Not regulated as gambling

Money Requirement:

Only gambling if purchased with real money

Loot boxes are gambling because you pay real money for a random chance at getting virtual items. You don't know what you'll get before you buy, most of the time you'll get common items worth less than what you paid, and you're hoping for rare valuable items that hardly ever appear.
4

Sports Betting

Description: Betting on sports outcomes like football, cricket, and basketball through apps, websites, or TAB outlets.

Gambling
Not Gambling
Only if Money Involved
Gambling Even Without Money

By Definition:

✓ Gambling

By ACT Law:

✓ Gambling (Regulated)

Money Requirement:

Always involves real money

Sports betting is gambling because you risk money on uncertain outcomes you can't control. You don't know who will win until the game is over, and things like injuries, weather, and luck affect the result. You could lose all your money, and most people lose more than they win over time.
5

Simulated Gambling (Free Pokies Apps)

Description: Free-to-play casino-style games that look and feel like real gambling but don't pay out real money, though many encourage in-app purchases.

Gambling
Not Gambling
Only if Money Involved
Gambling Even Without Money

By Definition:

✗ Not gambling (no real money)

By ACT Law:

✗ Not regulated as gambling

Money Requirement:

Becomes gambling-like if in-app purchases

While not gambling by definition, research shows it can normalise gambling behaviours and act as a gateway to real gambling, especially for young people.
6

Fantasy Sports Gambling

Description: Online competitions where participants create virtual teams of real professional players, with team performance based on actual player statistics.

Gambling
Not Gambling
Only if Money Involved
Gambling Even Without Money

By Definition:

✓ Gambling (when entry fees)

By ACT Law:

Grey area - not specifically regulated

Money Requirement:

Only gambling with entry fees/prizes

While marketed as skill-based, research shows significant element of chance. Can lead to excessive spending and time investment.
7

Casino Table Games (Blackjack, Roulette, etc)

Description: Traditional games played at the casino.

Gambling
Not Gambling
Only if Money Involved
Gambling Even Without Money

By Definition:

✓ Gambling

By ACT Law:

✓ Gambling (Regulated)

Money Requirement:

Always involves real money

Casino games are gambling because you bet money on games controlled mostly or entirely by chance, not skill.
8

Day Trading/Stock Market Speculation

Description: Frequent buying and selling of stocks for quick profits.

Gambling
Not Gambling
Only if Money Involved
Gambling Even Without Money

By Definition:

✗ Not gambling (investment)

By ACT Law:

✗ Not regulated as gambling

Money Requirement:

Yes, involves money

While not legally gambling, day trading involves buying and selling stocks based on market research rather than luck. It becomes a grey area when risky speculation replaces careful analysis, making it more like gambling than skilled investing.
9

Charity Raffles

Description: Tickets sold for a chance to win prizes, proceeds go to charity.

Gambling
Not Gambling
Only if Money Involved
Gambling Even Without Money

By Definition:

✓ Gambling

By ACT Law:

✓ Gambling (Minor gaming permit)

Money Requirement:

Yes, involves money

Raffles are gambling because you pay money for a ticket hoping to win a prize, but the winner is chosen completely at random. You have no control over whether you win or lose - it's pure chance.
10

Cryptocurrency Trading

Description: Buying and selling cryptocurrencies for profit.

Gambling
Not Gambling
Only if Money Involved
Gambling Even Without Money

By Definition:

✗ Not gambling (investment)

By ACT Law:

✗ Not regulated as gambling

Money Requirement:

Yes, involves money

Like stock market trading, cryptocurrency trading involves buying and selling digital currencies based on market research rather than pure chance. However, crypto prices change much more dramatically and quickly than stocks, making it extremely risky. This high volatility can turn trading into gambling-like behaviour, especially when people make impulsive trades hoping for quick profits instead of careful analysis.
11

Gacha Systems

Description: A progression system used in certain games where you collect characters or items through repeated random draws.

Gambling
Not Gambling
Only if Money Involved
Gambling Even Without Money

By Definition:

✓ Gambling (when purchased)

By ACT Law:

✗ Not regulated as gambling

Money Requirement:

Gambling when real money used

Gacha games are gambling because you pay real money for random rewards from digital "pulls" or "draws." You don't know what you'll get before you pay, and the items you want most have extremely low chances of appearing (often less than 1%)

Quiz Complete!

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Thank you for learning about gambling harm in the ACT.

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