Responsible Gambling at Parimatch
Safer gambling tools and what they're for
Parimatch provides a set of account controls that let you decide how much time and money you spend on the platform, before you sit down to play. These tools exist so that betting and pokies stay a form of entertainment, not a source of stress.
Every tool on this page is optional to switch on but always available in your account settings. Setting a limit is not an admission of a problem: it is a practical way to keep play within what you planned to spend, on any given day, week or month.
Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over only. If you are supervising a shared device or account, check that no one under 18 can access it.
Why these tools matter for pokies and sports betting
Pokies are built around fast, continuous rounds, and live betting on cricket, football or esports moves quickly once odds start shifting mid-match. Both formats make it easy to lose track of how many spins you have played or how many bets you have placed in a session, because each round or market only takes seconds to resolve. A deposit limit or a time limit works against that pace by putting a fixed boundary in place before the session starts, rather than relying on stopping yourself once you are already absorbed in play.
The same logic applies to accumulator and express bets, where the appeal of a large combined payout can encourage adding more legs or topping up a balance to chase a bigger return. A loss limit set in advance means that decision has already been made while you were thinking clearly, not in the middle of a losing run.
Setting a limit on your account
Deposit, loss and time limits work the same way across the account. Follow these steps to put one in place:
- Log in to your Parimatch account and open your account or profile settings.
- Find the responsible gambling or safer play section of the menu.
- Choose the type of limit you want: deposit, loss, wager or time/session.
- Select the period the limit applies to (daily, weekly or monthly, where offered).
- Enter the amount or time you want to set and confirm the change.
- Check your account dashboard to confirm the limit is active before you continue playing.
Choosing the right limit for how you play
If you mainly place a few sports bets over a weekend, a weekly deposit limit is usually easier to plan around than a daily one, since it lets you spread activity across a Saturday and Sunday card without hitting a ceiling mid-match. If pokies sessions are more your habit, a daily loss limit combined with a session time limit gives you two independent checks: one on money, one on the clock, so a long session on a slow night doesn't quietly turn into an expensive one.
There is no single right setting. The point is to pick a number based on what you can afford to lose in that period without it affecting bills, savings or other commitments, then let the limit do the work of holding you to it.
Lowering or raising a limit
You can lower a limit at any time and it applies immediately. Raising a limit or removing it takes effect only after a short waiting period, so a moment of frustration during a session cannot be used to undo the protection you set for yourself.
Reality checks and session reminders
A reality check is a short on-screen notice that appears at intervals during a session, showing how long you have been logged in and a summary of activity so far. It doesn't stop play, but it interrupts the flow of a session long enough for you to consciously decide whether to keep going or log off. This is particularly useful during live betting or extended pokies sessions, where time tends to pass faster than it feels.
You can set the interval for reality checks in the same responsible gambling menu used for deposit and loss limits, so it sits alongside your other controls rather than as a separate system.
Time-outs and self-exclusion, and how they differ
A time-out is a short, defined break from your account, typically used when you want to step away for a few days or weeks without going through a longer process. Self-exclusion is the stronger option, used when you want to close off access to betting and pokies for a longer, agreed period because a limit alone isn't enough.
How to request self-exclusion
Contact support through your account or the help section and ask to be self-excluded. Confirm the request in writing where asked, so there is a clear record of your decision on file.
What happens once it's active
Once self-exclusion is active, you cannot log in, deposit or place bets on the account for the period agreed. Marketing emails and promotional contact stop for the duration of the exclusion. This is a decision you control and can discuss with support at any time before requesting it.
Responsible gambling tools compared
| Tool | What it does | How to switch it on |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Caps the amount you can add to your account over a set period | Account settings > responsible gambling > deposit limit |
| Loss limit | Caps the amount you can lose over a set period | Account settings > responsible gambling > loss limit |
| Time/session limit | Limits how long you can stay logged in and playing | Account settings > responsible gambling > time limit |
| Reality check | Sends an on-screen reminder of time spent and activity during a session | Account settings > responsible gambling > reality check |
| Time-out | Short, temporary break from account access | Contact support and confirm the duration |
| Self-exclusion | Closes the account to logins, deposits and bets for an agreed period | Contact support and confirm the request |
Keeping track of your own play
Your account history shows deposits, withdrawals, bets and pokies sessions over time, and it's worth checking this occasionally rather than only relying on memory. A quick look at your monthly activity tells you whether your actual spend matches what you intended, and whether a limit you set a while ago still fits how you're playing now. If the numbers surprise you, that's useful information, not something to ignore.
Recognising the warning signs
Problem gambling can develop gradually, and it helps to know what to watch for in your own habits or in someone close to you.
- Spending more money or time on pokies and betting than you planned to.
- Chasing losses by depositing again to try to win back what you lost.
- Borrowing money, selling belongings or using bill money to keep playing.
- Hiding the amount of time or money spent from family or friends.
- Feeling restless, anxious or irritable when trying to cut down or stop.
- Neglecting work, study, sleep or relationships because of gambling.
Noticing one or two of these signs is worth a pause. Noticing several, especially over weeks rather than days, is a clear signal to use a limit, take a self-exclusion break, or speak with a support service.
Supporting a family member or friend
If you're worried about someone else's gambling rather than your own, the same signs apply: secrecy about money, borrowing that doesn't add up, or irritability when the topic comes up. Gambling Help Online supports family members and friends as well as the person gambling, and conversations are more productive when they focus on specific behaviour and genuine concern rather than blame. You cannot set limits or request self-exclusion on someone else's account, but you can encourage them to use the tools on this page and point them towards support services directly.
Where to get help locally
Support is free, confidential and available whether or not you decide to keep a Parimatch account open.
- Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858, available 24/7, gamblinghelponline.org.au
- Lifeline: 13 11 14, for crisis support at any hour
These services offer confidential counselling, online chat and practical advice for anyone affected by their own or someone else's gambling. Reaching out early, before things feel unmanageable, tends to give you more options.
FAQ
How do I set a deposit limit on my Parimatch account?
Open your account settings, go to the responsible gambling section, and choose deposit limit. Select a daily, weekly or monthly period, enter the amount, and confirm. The limit applies straight away and can be lowered at any time without delay.
Can I remove a limit once I've set it?
Yes, but not instantly. Lowering a limit takes effect immediately, while raising or removing one only applies after a short waiting period. This delay is deliberate, giving you time to reconsider before the change goes through.
What's the difference between a time-out and self-exclusion?
A time-out pauses your account access for a shorter agreed break, while self-exclusion closes the account to logins, deposits and bets for a longer period. Both stop promotional contact for their duration and are requested through support.
Does a reality check stop me from playing?
No, it simply shows an on-screen summary of your time and activity at intervals you choose, so you can decide for yourself whether to keep playing or log off. It works alongside limits and time-outs rather than replacing them.
Is playing pokies at an offshore casino illegal for me in Australia?
No, placing a bet or spinning a pokie as an individual player is not an offence under Australian law. The rules under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 apply to operators providing the service, not to the player using it.
Who can I call if gambling is affecting my finances or relationships?
Gambling Help Online is available 24/7 on 1800 858 858 or at gamblinghelponline.org.au, offering free confidential counselling. Lifeline on 13 11 14 is available for immediate crisis support at any time of day or night.