How they keep you spending
The people who build pokies, lotteries and betting apps study how our brains work, then design around it. Banks design their accounts with care too. These guides show you how it's done, so you can spot it. They'll also help you tell when gambling has stopped being a bit of fun.
How they get you to spend more
How pokies keep you playing longer than you meantNobody plans to lose $200 at the pub. See how a poker machine's lights, sounds, fake wins and sheer speed keep you sitting there anyway.
Losses disguised as wins on the pokiesThe machine flashes and plays its win music, but you got back less than you bet. Why pokies do this, and how to spot it every time.
Near misses and why almost winning hooks youTwo jackpot symbols, and the third stops just off the line. So close! It's an ordinary loss, and the reels are built to make it happen a lot.
Is a number ever due? The gambler's fallacyIt feels like a number's hot or a machine's about to pay. We checked thousands of real lotto draws to see if that holds up. It doesn't.
Why big lotto jackpots make people spend moreWhen the jackpot climbs, ticket sales jump, but your chance of winning stays exactly the same. What a huge jackpot does to your thinking.
How betting apps get you to bet moreBonus bets, multis, cash out and a buzz in your pocket before every game. Betting apps are built to keep you betting. See what each one really costs.
Spotting the signs
Why chasing your losses costs you moreThat urge to bet a bit more and get back to even is one of the clearest signs gambling is doing harm. Why it happens, and how to stop.
Signs of a gambling problem, and where to get helpThe nine questions counsellors ask to check if gambling is hurting you, what to watch for in someone you love, and free help any time of day.
How banks make money from you
How bonus savings accounts work for the bankRather see it with your own eyes? Spin the see-through pokie and it'll call out each trick as it happens. Odds in perspective shows what a lottery ticket is really worth. And the spend check shows what your money could grow to if it stayed in your pocket.
If gambling is causing problems for you or someone you know, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858, any time.