Last updated: May 2026 — Lachlan Whitmore, Thepretendonefilm
At Thepretendonefilm, we believe that playing online pokies should always be an enjoyable, entertaining experience. Our founder, Lachlan Whitmore, and the entire team behind thepretendonefilm.com are deeply committed to promoting safe, responsible gambling practices for every Australian player who visits our site. We are not just a review platform — we genuinely care about the wellbeing of the people who read our content.
This page exists to give you honest, practical information about responsible gaming. Whether you are a casual player or someone who feels their habits may be getting out of hand, we encourage you to read through the guidance below without judgment. Help is always available, and reaching out is a sign of strength.
Online pokies and casino games are designed for entertainment. They carry risk by nature, and it is important to approach them with clear boundaries and realistic expectations. Responsible gambling means staying in control — of your time, your money, and your mindset.
Here are a few golden rules to keep gambling fun and safe:
Problem gambling can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or income. Recognising the warning signs early is the most effective way to prevent serious harm. Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you:
If you recognise yourself in two or more of the above, we strongly encourage you to reach out to one of the support organisations listed further down this page.
Honest self-reflection is a powerful first step. Ask yourself these questions regularly:
Answering yes to any of these questions is a signal worth taking seriously. You do not need to be in crisis to seek support.
Licensed online casinos operating in Australia and beyond are required to offer a range of player protection tools. Thepretendonefilm encourages all players to actively use these features:
Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit caps directly in your casino account settings. This prevents overspending and keeps your sessions within a pre-agreed budget.
Enable on-screen reminders that alert you at regular intervals — typically every 30 or 60 minutes — showing how long you have been playing and how much you have spent.
Request a short-term break from gambling — commonly between 24 hours and 30 days — without permanently closing your account. Use this time to reset and reassess.
If you feel you need a more serious break, self-exclusion allows you to block access to your casino accounts for an extended period. In Australia, the BetStop National Self-Exclusion Register (available at betStop.com.au) allows you to self-exclude from all licensed Australian online wagering services simultaneously.
Thepretendonefilm enforces a strict 18 years and over policy across all content and recommendations. Gambling is illegal for minors in Australia. Every casino we review is expected to implement robust age verification processes. If you are a parent or guardian, we recommend using parental control software to restrict access to gambling websites.
If you or someone you know needs immediate support, please contact one of these free, confidential Australian services:
The following organisations provide free, expert support, resources, and counselling for people affected by problem gambling:
Thepretendonefilm will always prioritise your safety over any other consideration. If you have concerns about your own gambling or that of someone close to you, please do not wait — reach out to one of the organisations above today. You are not alone, and support is closer than you think.