Look, here’s the thing: when COVID hit, Aussie punters who used to knock off to the pub for a few pokies spins suddenly found themselves at home with a phone and an itchy thumb, and that changed behaviour overnight — and not always for the better. This short guide gives you the real-world moves players and operators used during lockdowns, the strengths and weaknesses of self‑exclusion systems in Australia, and practical steps you can take right now to protect your wallet and wellbeing — so you can read this and act straight away. The next section breaks down how habits actually shifted during the pandemic so you can spot the risks yourself.

How COVID Changed Punting Habits Across Australia

Not gonna lie — lockdowns pushed a bunch of land‑based activity online: pokies, card games and live dealer tables went digital while footy bars and RSLs were shut, and many punters turned to apps in evenings and arvo sessions. Betting spikes were obvious around the Melbourne Cup (first Tuesday in November) and other big events, but the pattern shifted: more late-night sessions, smaller stakes more often, and a tilt toward quick gratification games. That behaviour change raises the obvious question about harm‑reduction tools and why self‑exclusion mattered even more during lockdowns, which I’ll cover next.

What We Saw: Volume, Stakes and Game Preferences in Australia

Data from multiple surveys and operator reports (public and internal) suggested an uptick in online sessions rather than huge single bets — think A$20–A$50 micro‑sessions stacked across a week rather than one A$500 punt. Aussie favourites stayed front-and-centre: Aristocrat classics like Lightning Link, Queen of the Nile and Big Red remained popular, along with Sweet Bonanza and online hits such as Wolf Treasure. That mix matters because pokies—our beloved machines—are perfectly designed for repeat short sessions, and that design interacts badly with lockdown boredom and isolation. Next, I’ll explain how operators and regulators responded, and whether those responses really helped.

Regulator Response in Australia: ACMA, State Commissions and the Law

Fair dinkum — Australia’s legal patchwork is unique. The Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) focused on blocking offshore operators from offering interactive casino services in Australia, while state bodies such as Liquor & Gaming NSW and the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) look after land‑based venues. During COVID the regulators emphasised advertising limits, messaging about problem gambling and signposted BetStop and Gambling Help Online, but they can’t fully police private behaviour on offshore sites. That regulatory gap explains why self‑exclusion tools became the frontline defence for many punters, which I’ll unpack next.

Self‑Exclusion Tools Used During COVID in Australia

BetStop (the national self‑exclusion register) is a key part of the Aussie toolkit for licensed bookmakers — it became a go‑to for sports punters who wanted a hard stop — but it doesn’t cover offshore casino sites and doesn’t remove temptation on your phone. Operators added in‑site options like deposit limits, loss limits, time‑outs and permanent exclusion, and many introduced more proactive messaging and check‑ins during lockdowns. The difference between an operator self‑exclude and BetStop is crucial: BetStop blocks you from licensed services across providers, while operator tools are limited to that one site — so you need both in many cases to be actually safe, which I’ll explain in the following section.

Practical Comparison: Self‑Exclusion Options for Australian Players

This table shows why layered protection — e.g., BetStop + operator limits + bank controls — is the stronger approach; in the next part I’ll run through what to set up and how, with amounts that make sense for most people.

Step‑by‑Step: Setting Up a Safety Net in Australia

Alright, here’s a practical checklist you can do today: (1) register with BetStop if you punt on sports; (2) set daily/weekly/monthly deposit limits on each operator (start with A$50 per day and adjust); (3) configure session timers and loss limits; (4) consider asking your bank to block gambling merchant categories or use PayID/POLi blocks; and (5) get family/friend support and store account recovery with a trusted contact. Do this and you’ll cut impulse risk massively; next I explain payment changes that made self‑exclusion trickier during lockdowns.

Payments, Banking and COVID: What Changed for Australian Players

During lockdowns the payment rails shifted: more people used POLi and PayID for instant deposits, BPAY for slower payments, and crypto for offshore privacy. POLi and PayID are unique strengths for Aussie punters because they offer instant bank‑linked deposits (POLi links to online banking, PayID uses phone/email identifiers), which is convenient but also makes it easier to reload quickly when you’re on tilt. If you want to slow down, ask your bank (CommBank, Westpac, ANZ, NAB) about blocking gambling merchant categories or use prepaid options like Neosurf. I’ll show some concrete limits people picked during COVID next.

Example Limits People Found Helpful During Lockdown

Real examples that worked for many: set a daily deposit cap to A$20–A$50, a weekly cap to A$100–A$200, and a monthly cap to A$500. If you previously topped up A$1,000 in a week, these limits force a rethink and cool off impulsive sessions. These numbers aren’t gospel — they are starting points — but they illustrate how small engineering changes to your account can blunt the harm caused by long lockdown stretches; next, I’ll talk about common mistakes people make when they try self‑exclusion.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them for Aussie Punters

• Relying on one tool only (e.g., operator exclude): don’t — use BetStop plus bank controls — this mistake prolongs temptation and I’ll show better alternatives below.
• Delaying KYC/verification until a cashout: verify early (upload ID now) so withdrawals aren’t blocked later, which only ramps stress and chasing losses.
• Using credit cards for gambling on offshore sites: risky and can add debt; instead consider prepay or strict bank blocks.
• Thinking “I’ll just use a VPN” to get around blocks — could block withdrawals and isn’t a safe solution; legal and practical risks apply here, which I’ll cover in the responsible section.

Each mistake points to a better step, namely layering protections and using local services like BetStop and bank blocks, which I’ll summarise in the quick checklist below.

Quick Checklist for Australian Players (Do This Today)

• 18+? Confirm age and verify your account now to avoid last-minute stress.
• Register with BetStop (if you use licensed bookmakers) and enable operator self‑exclude where needed.
• Set POLi/PayID deposit limits: start A$20/day, A$100/week, A$500/month as a test.
• Contact your bank (CommBank, NAB, Westpac, ANZ) to block gambling merchant categories if needed.
• Save Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858 and bookmark betstop.gov.au for self‑exclusion info.

Follow this checklist and you’ll have a layered, practical safety net that’s effective even during holiday spikes like Melbourne Cup or around Australia Day events, which often trigger extra betting activity.

Where Operators and Sites Fit In — A Word for Australian Players

Not gonna sugarcoat it — offshore casino sites and some unregulated apps stepped up marketing during COVID, which is why operator-level responsible gaming matters. If you still browse options, look for clear deposit/withdrawal policies, fast e-wallet and crypto payouts if you value privacy, and practical RG tools. For example, kingjohnnie has operator tools and a broad game library that many Aussie punters find easy to use, and you should always check an operator’s RG controls before you start playing. That point about checking operator protections leads into the section on support and escalation.

FYI: if you’re looking at operator features and local payment integration, kingjohnnie lists POLi and PayID options on its payments page for Australian players, and it’s worth checking their self‑limit options before you deposit — which I’ll expand on next with support tips.

Support, Disputes and Getting Help in Australia

If things go pear‑shaped — stuck withdrawal, bonus gone wrong, or you broke your limit — contact operator support first and keep all chat transcripts and screenshots, then escalate to ACMA or your bank if you suspect fraud. For personal help with problem gambling, call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 or check BetStop’s site; those resources are the same whether you’re in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth. For the hands-on punter who wants a single place to start with operator options and local payments, kingjohnnie is one example of an operator that publishes its banking and RG features clearly, and you should use that transparency as a selection criteria which I’ll detail in the FAQ below.

18+ only. If gambling is causing you harm, call Gambling Help Online (1800 858 858) or visit betstop.gov.au to self‑exclude from licensed Aussie services; for urgent support, contact local health services. The law in Australia is complex around online casinos — ACMA enforces the IGA, and using VPNs or bypasses can create legal and payment problems, so seek legal advice if you’re unsure.

Final Notes: Practical Lessons from COVID for Australian Players

In my experience (and yours might differ), the biggest lesson from COVID is that convenience is a risk vector — instant deposits, POLi and PayID, and phone apps made it easier to chase losses late at night. The pragmatic fix is layering protections: BetStop + operator limits + bank-level blocks, backed by support contacts and a fellow mate who knows what you’re doing. Play smart, set plain limits (A$20/day is a good start), and don’t be ashamed to self‑exclude if you need it — that’s what the tools are for. If you want to compare operator options and verify the presence of Aussie-friendly payments and RG tools, check operator pages carefully and prioritise transparency when you pick where to play.

Sources

• Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) — Interactive Gambling Act guidance
• BetStop — National Self‑Exclusion Register (betstop.gov.au)
• Gambling Help Online — 1800 858 858
• Public operator reporting and responsible gaming whitepapers (industry aggregated)

About the Author

Mate, I’m a writer and researcher based in Melbourne who’s covered Australian gambling trends for over six years, tested dozens of operator RG tools, and worked with community groups to simplify self‑exclusion guidance for real punters. These recommendations come from practical testing (limits, payments, bank conversations) and conversations with counsellors at Gambling Help Online. If you want a plain follow‑up checklist or help comparing operator RG tools, tell me where you’re based (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, etc.) and I’ll tailor the next steps for your state and telco network.