Summary
Read the full fact sheet- Gambling products are designed to keep people gambling and can lead to harm.
- If you gamble you should expect to lose. Gambling should be budgeted as an expense, just like going out for dinner, and not considered a way to make money.
- If gambling is causing you harm, understanding why you gamble can help you change your behaviour.
On this page
Whether it’s buying a lotto ticket, placing a bet on the horses, sport events or using the pokies, many people gamble at some stage. But even if you only have a flutter from time to time, it’s important to know how gambling works so you have realistic expectations about your chances of winning.
Gamblers should expect to lose
Gambling odds are designed to work against you. If you gamble, you should expect to lose. Gambling should be budgeted as an expense, just like going out for dinner, and not considered a way to make money.
The odds work against you
When you gamble, do you know what your chances of winning really are? This table shows the odds of winning on some common forms of gambling in Victoria.
The bottom line is, no matter what type of gambling you do, you should always expect to lose.
| Bet | Odds of winning | Typical prize |
|---|---|---|
| Poker machines – getting five black rhinos on black rhinos machine (top prize) ($1 bet per line) | 1 in 9,765,625 | $5000 |
| Tattslotto – winning first division (getting all six numbers correct) | 1 in 8,145,060 | $300,000 - $1m+ |
| Powerball – winning first division (getting all five numbers and the powerball correct) | 1 in 76,767,600 | $3m–$15m |
| Set for Life – winning first division (getting all eight numbers correct) | 1 in 38,608,020 | $20,000 a month for 20 years |
| Super 66 – winning first division (getting all six numbers correct) | 1 in 1,000,000 | $60,000–$90,000 |
| Oz Lotto – winning first division (getting all seven numbers correct) | 1 in 45,379,620 | $1m–$5m |
| Trackside – horse number 1 wins race ($1 bet) | 21 in 100 | $4 |
| Trackside – horse number 12 wins race ($1 bet) | 2 in 100 | $35 |
| Casino – roulette (single zero) – winning straight up (correct bet on a single number) ($5 bet) | 1 in 37 | $180 |
| Casino – roulette (single zero) – winning black/red, high/low or odd/even ($5 bet) | 18 in 37 | $10 |
| Casino – big wheel – getting the joker (pays 47-1) ($5 bet) | 1 in 52 | $240 |
| Instant Scratchies – winning top prize ($1) | 1 in 600,000 | Top prize $10,000 |
| Intralot Scratchies – winning top prize ($20) | 1 in 630,000 | Top prize $1,000,000 |
You are in control
If you want to make sure gambling doesn't become an issue, here are some tips to help keep the balance right:
- Don’t think of gambling as a way to make money. Venues use gambling to make money, it’s not designed to work the other way around.
- Only gamble with what you can afford to lose. Gamble with your weekly entertainment budget, not with your phone bill or rent budget.
- Set money and time limits in advance. Decide how much, and for how long you will gamble, and stop when you hit your limits.
- Never chase your losses. Chasing losses will usually lead to bigger and bigger losses.
Is my gambling causing harm?
It’s sometimes hard to know if your gambling is getting out of hand. A common reaction is to minimise it or deny that it’s causing harm. Some people may hide their gambling or start to lie about how much time and money they are spending on it.
Perhaps you are:
- kept awake at night thinking about gambling
- feeling you’re out of control
- building up debts you can’t pay
- betting more than you can afford
- feeling you can’t talk to anyone about your gambling
- hiding evidence of your gambling activity.
If you’re worried about your gambling, you’re not alone.
Help is available
Many organisations offer support, assistance and counselling for people experiencing harm from gambling. Depending on the service, the aim is to either control the gambling or avoid [JCR(1] altogether. Some organisations also offer support to affected family and friends.
Gambler's Help
Every year Gambler’s Help assists thousands of Victorians to successfully take control of their gambling. Gambler’s Help supports people experiencing harm from gambling, their family and friends, and those wanting to cut back or regain control.
All Gambler's Help services are 100% free.
Call now for free, professional and confidential support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Tel: 1800 858 858.
Where to get help
- Gambler’s Help Tel. 1800 858 858 24-hour telephone counselling service
- Gambler’s Help Youthline Tel. 1800 262 376 24-hour telephone counselling service for people under 25.
- Your GP (doctor) or other health professional
- Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation
- Gambling Help Online - counselling and information services including a peer support program.
- Gambler’s Help Tel. 1800 858 858, TTY 1800 777 706 – 24-hour telephone counselling service
- Gamblers Anonymous Tel. (03) 9696 6108 – support group for people with a gambling problem
- Gamble Aware – information about the odds of winning, how gambling works, and when to stop
- Lifeline Tel. 13 11 14
- SuicideLine Victoria Tel. 1300 651 251
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
