The TOTE

TOTE Tasmania (The TOTE) is committed to the Responsible Service of Gambling across our online, telephone and retail sales outlets. We endeavour to responsibly minimise the potential harm associated with problem gambling and to improve the prevention, intervention and treatment of problem gambling through our commitment to relevant operational procedures and codes of practice.

Signs of a Gambling Problem

By the time gambling has become a problem it has often impacted on several areas of a person's life. Signs of a problem can include:

Increasing levels of debt
Struggling to pay bills on time
Lying to friends and family
Feeling more moody, irritable or angry
Missing work or having trouble concentrating at work
Prioritising spending time and money on gambling rather than spending time with friends
Thinking that continued gambling will fix financial problems
Feeling like the gambling has taken over

Problem Gambling Assessment

If you think that Gambling may be a problem for you or someone else then reviewing the following questions may assist you to find out.

Have you bet more than you could really afford to lose in the last 12 months?
Still thinking about the last 12 months, have you needed to gamble with larger amounts to get the same feeling of excitement?
When you gambled, did you go back another day to try to win back the money you lost?
Have you borrowed money or sold anything to get money to gamble?
Have you felt you might have a problem with gambling?
Has gambling caused you any health problems, including stress or anxiety?
Have people criticised your betting or told you that you had a gambling problem, regardless of whether or not you thought it was true?
Has your gambling caused any financial problems for you or your household?
Have you felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble?

The more questions that you answered 'yes' to, the more likely it is that gambling is having a negative impact on your life or the life of someone else. The Gambling Helpline website provides a risk assessment tool that you may find useful.

Minors and Gaming

It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 years to open an account or to place a bet with The TOTE whether via phone, the internet or at a TOTE retail outlet. The TOTE requires all customers to verify their identification to ensure compliance with its obligations. Any winnings will be forfeited should the customer be identified as being under the age of 18 years. The Police may also be notified.

Financial Self Limits

The TOTE is able to offer its account customers a loss limit feature. This feature is only available to account holders that have completed The TOTE Identity Verification Check.

Account holders may set a net loss limit to apply to their account for a calendar month. Loss limits apply from the time TOTE receives your loss limit application. To assist you to manage your betting, TOTE will restrict your account to only being able to conduct transactions over the phone.

To conduct any transactions on a loss limited account you will be required to contact The TOTE on 1300 134 900.

Download a Self Limit Form

Should you require any further information on loss limits please see The TOTE Help/FAQ or contact Customer Service on 1300 134 900.

Self Exclusion

Should you feel that you may have a problem with gambling, you can self exclude yourself from gambling with The TOTE. This applies to customers gambling via an account over the telephone or the internet and also to customers gambling with cash (or via an account) at a hotel, retail outlet, club or on-course.

Account Customers

The TOTE provide a self exclusion facility which can be accessed by contacting The TOTE Customer Service on 1300 134 900. A self exclusion will prevent your account from being accessed for a minimum period of six months, and the exclusion will not be removed for any reason during the six month exclusion period. A written request (after six months has elapsed) is required before account re-opening can be considered.

The TOTE advises that software is available from third parties which can be installed on your computer which will allow you to block access to internet gambling websites. Any number of these programs can be found following a simple internet search.

The TOTE recommends that if you are considering excluding yourself that you contact all other gambling companies that you gamble with and ask to self exclude yourself with them also. TOTE also recommends that you exclude yourself from TOTE outlets. Information on self exclusion from TOTE outlets is below in Cash Customers.

Cash Customers

The Tasmanian Breakeven Network provides a range of problem gambling services which includes facilitation of self exclusion. Call 1800 858 858, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for contact details for the nearest Break Even counsellor. The Tasmanian Break Even Network provides a range of free services for people affected by gambling. The services provided include counselling, support groups and access to the Tasmanian Gambling Exclusion Scheme including self-exclusions. Self-exclusions mean that the details (including photograph) of the excluded person will be recorded in a confidential database together with the details of the exclusion. This information is accessible at gambling venues throughout Tasmania and the process is designed to prevent the excluded person from entering venues that they are excluded from.

The TOTE recommends that if you are considering excluding yourself that you contact all other gambling companies that you gamble with and ask to self exclude yourself with them also.

If you are also a TOTE account holder TOTE recommends contacting TOTE Customer Service to exclude yourself from utilising your account online or via the phone also.

Third Party Exclusion

An individual with a close personal interest in the welfare of a TOTE customer, whom they believe may have a problem with gambling, can apply to the Tasmanian Gaming Commission for an order to prevent that customer from gambling with The TOTE and other gambling operators. Before granting such an order, the Commission will consider the application, along with any advice provided by the affected customer. The TOTE is provided with a copy of any orders granted and is required to suspend the account. Third party exclusions are available for both account and cash customers.

Please contact the Tasmanian Gaming Commission on 03 6233 2475 (Hobart) or 03 6336 2261 (Launceston) if you require any further information.

Contacts for free confidential assistance and support:

National Gambling Help Line (24 Hours) – 1800 858 858 or www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
-Provides counselling, information and support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Hobart
Anglicare Tasmania Inc. 1800 243 232 or 6213 3555

Launceston
Anglicare Tasmania Inc. 1800 243 232 or 6333 3000

Burnie
Anglicare Tasmania Inc. 1800 243 232 or 6431 8299

Devonport
Anglicare Tasmania Inc. 1800 243 232 or 6424 8581

The 1800 243 232 number is a 24 hour number.

Relationships Australia – 1300 364 277 or www.relationships.com.au
- Provides a range of support to problem gamblers and their families

Gamblers Anonymous www.gamblersanonymous.org.au
- Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem.

Lifeline – 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
- Lifeline aspires to be a leader in providing opportunities for people to benefit from and contribute to quality services in local communities across Australia. These opportunities link people with counselling, personal support, self-care resources, information about community services and training.

Department of Health and Human Services Gambling Support Program www.gamblingsupport.org
- Provides contacts for the Tasmanian Break Even Network (which oversees the delivery of the Tasmanian Gambling Exclusion Scheme including self-exclusions and venue exclusions), information, counselling and support groups.

Help for customers from other regions

Relevant information for South Australian customers:

South Australia Gambling Help Line 1800 858 858

"Don't let the game play you. Stay in control. Gamble responsibly."

Relevant information for New South Wales customers:
Gambling Help (New South Wales)

Relevant information for Victorian customers:
Gamblers Help (Victoria)

Relevant information for Queensland customers:
Gambling Helpline (Queensland)

Relevant information for Western Australia customers:
Gambling Help (Western Australia)

Relevant information for Northern Territory customers:
Department of Justice (Northern Territory)

Relevant information for Australian Capital Territory customers:
Lifeline Canberra

The TOTE - Responsible Gambling Information