Pokies, or poker machines, are a fixture of pubs, clubs and casinos across Australia. With more than 190,000 machines operating nationwide and Australians losing roughly $25 billion a year on them, it is little wonder that gambling harm affects so many households. Yet pokies remain a legitimate form of entertainment for millions who play occasionally and within their means. The difference between a fun night out and a serious problem usually comes down to planning, awareness and a few practical habits. For more details, visit MyEmpire pokies.
The good news is that staying in control is a skill, not a personality trait. It can be learned like any other. The tips below are grounded in research from Australian gambling support services and apply whether you play once a year or once a week.
Set Limits Before You Press a Button
The single most effective strategy is to decide your limits before you start playing. Once you are sitting in front of a machine, with lights flashing and sounds chiming, your judgement is already compromised. Set your limits in advance and treat them as non-negotiable.
Money limits matter most. Decide on a figure you can comfortably lose, and leave your cards at home if you tend to overspend. Bring only cash in the amount you have allocated. When it is gone, it is gone. This approach mirrors the responsible gambling policies used by reputable Australian operators, who typically cap daily and weekly deposits to protect their players.
Time limits are equally important. Pokies are designed to blur your sense of time, so set an alarm on your phone for 30 or 60 minutes. When it sounds, stop and reassess. Many players find it useful to take a mandatory break every half hour, even if only to walk outside for a few minutes.
Some venues and online platforms also offer pre-commitment tools that let you lock in a loss limit before you begin. Use them. A limit you set when you are calm is far more reliable than a decision made mid-spin.
Understand the Odds and Play with Realistic Expectations
Pokies are games of chance, and the house always has an edge. In Australia, most machines are required to return between 85% and 92% of money wagered to players over the long term, meaning the venue keeps the rest. Over thousands of spins, this difference is what funds the industry.
Understanding this does not mean you cannot enjoy pokies. It means you should never treat them as a way to make money or recoup losses. Chasing losses is one of the most common pathways into problem gambling, so if you find yourself increasing your bets to win back what you have lost, stop immediately.
It also helps to know your machine. Different games have different volatility and payout structures. Low-volatility machines pay smaller amounts more frequently, while high-volatility games deliver larger wins less often. Neither is “better” , they simply suit different play styles and budgets.
Finally, treat any win as a bonus rather than a target. If you hit a decent payout, consider banking it or walking away rather than feeding it straight back into the machine.
Recognise the Warning Signs and Reach Out for Help
Self-awareness is your best defence. Ask yourself honestly: are you spending more than you planned? Are you hiding your play from family or friends? Do you feel anxious, irritable or preoccupied when you cannot gamble? If you answer yes to any of these, it may be time to step back.
Australia has excellent free support services. Gambling Help Online operates 24/7, and state-based services offer face-to-face counselling at no cost. These services are confidential and non-judgemental, and you do not need to hit rock bottom to use them.
You can also ask your venue to exclude you from gambling. Self-exclusion programs are available across most Australian states and can cover everything from a single venue to a statewide ban. Many online platforms offer similar tools, including deposit caps and cooling-off periods.
Staying in control of pokie play comes down to three things: planning before you play, understanding the odds, and being honest with yourself. Do those consistently and pokies can stay what they should be , an occasional, affordable form of entertainment.
