Last updated: May 2026 — Daniel Reyes, Spikeandearl
At Spikeandearl, we believe that enjoying online pokies should always be a fun and entertaining experience. Daniel Reyes and the entire team at spikeandearl.com are deeply committed to promoting responsible gambling practices across Australia. We understand that for some players, gambling can move beyond harmless entertainment and become a serious problem. This page exists because we genuinely care about your wellbeing, not just your experience on our site.
Please read this page carefully. If anything here resonates with you or someone you know, we strongly encourage you to reach out to one of the support organisations listed below.
Responsible gambling means staying in control of when you play, how much you spend, and how long you spend playing. Online pokies are designed for entertainment. They should never be seen as a way to make money, recover losses, or escape personal problems. Setting clear boundaries before you start playing is the healthiest approach you can take.
Problem gambling can develop gradually and is not always easy to recognise in yourself. The following signs may indicate that gambling is becoming harmful:
Ask yourself the following questions honestly. If you answer yes to two or more, we recommend speaking with a gambling support professional as soon as possible:
Most licensed online casinos allow you to set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits. We strongly recommend using these tools before you begin playing. Setting a strict deposit limit ensures that you never spend beyond your personal budget.
Reality check features send you notifications after a set period of play, reminding you how long you have been active and how much you have spent. These prompts are a simple but effective way to stay grounded and aware of your activity.
A cooling-off period allows you to temporarily pause your account for a set duration, such as 24 hours, one week, or one month. This tool is ideal if you feel your gambling is becoming more frequent than you are comfortable with.
Self-exclusion is a more serious step that prevents you from accessing a gambling site for an extended period. In Australia, the BetStop National Self-Exclusion Register allows you to exclude yourself from all licensed Australian online wagering services at once. Visit betstop.gov.au to register. Individual casino platforms also offer their own self-exclusion programmes directly through account settings.
Spikeandearl enforces a strict 18 years and over policy. Gambling is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 in Australia, and we do not endorse, encourage, or support underage gambling in any form. All recommended casinos on our site are required to perform robust age verification checks. If you are a parent or guardian, we recommend using parental control software to restrict access to gambling-related websites.
If you need to speak with someone urgently, the following free services are available in Australia:
We publish reviews and guides to help Australian players make informed choices. However, we never want enjoyment to come at the cost of your financial security, mental health, or personal relationships. If gambling has stopped being fun, please stop and reach out. Help is available, it is free, and there is absolutely no shame in asking for it. You are not alone.