Responsible Gambling
Responsible Gambling at Lucky Dreams
Playing Should Always Feel Good
At Lucky Dreams, we genuinely care about the people behind every spin of the pokies and every hand of cards. Gambling is meant to be fun — a bit of excitement, a way to unwind, a flutter that adds some spark to your day. But we also know that for some players, what starts as entertainment can quietly become something harder to manage.
This page is here for every punter who wants to stay in control, every player who's feeling uncertain, and everyone who cares about someone navigating a tough time. We've made our responsible gambling tools as straightforward as possible, because we believe that protecting you is just as important as entertaining you.
Know Your Limits Before You Play
The best time to set boundaries is before you start — not after a losing streak, and not when emotions are running high. Taking a few minutes to decide what you're comfortable spending and how long you'd like to play makes a real difference.
Ask yourself honestly:
- Am I playing with money I can afford to lose?
- Is gambling my main source of entertainment right now?
- Am I chasing losses to try to break even?
- Has anyone close to me expressed concern about my gambling?
- Do I feel anxious or irritable when I'm not able to play?
If any of these questions gave you pause, that's worth paying attention to. It doesn't mean you have a problem — but it does mean these tools below are worth using.
Responsible Gambling Tools Available at Lucky Dreams
We've built a full suite of player protection tools directly into your Lucky Dreams account. You don't need to contact support to use most of them — they're designed to be quick, private, and effective.
Deposit Limits
You can set a cap on how much NZ$ you deposit into your account over a daily, weekly, or monthly period. Once your limit is reached, no further deposits will be accepted until the period resets.
How it works:
| Limit Type | Timeframe | Takes Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Deposit Limit | Resets every 24 hours | Immediately |
| Weekly Deposit Limit | Resets every 7 days | Immediately |
| Monthly Deposit Limit | Resets every 30 days | Immediately |
Reducing a deposit limit takes effect straight away. Increasing a limit includes a cooling-off period before the change applies — this is intentional, and it's there to protect you from impulsive decisions.
Session Time Limits
It's easy to lose track of time when you're spinning the pokies or chasing a run at the tables. Session time limits let you decide in advance how long you'd like to play. Once your session time is up, you'll receive a notification and be logged out automatically.
You can set session reminders at intervals that work for you — 30 minutes, 1 hour, or a custom duration. Regular breaks help keep gambling in perspective and let you check in with yourself.
Cooling-Off Periods
Sometimes you don't want to close your account entirely — you just need a breather. A cooling-off period temporarily restricts access to your Lucky Dreams account for a set period of time that you choose.
Options typically range from 24 hours through to 6 weeks. During a cooling-off period:
- You cannot log in or place bets.
- You will not receive promotional emails or bonus.
- Your account details and balance are safely.
If you feel like you need more distance than a cooling-off period provides, our self-exclusion tool is the right next step.
Self-Exclusion
Self-exclusion is a firm commitment to stop gambling at Lucky Dreams for a meaningful period of time. It's one of the most powerful tools available, and we take it seriously.
When you self-exclude:
- Your account is immediately closed and access is.
- All marketing communications are stopped.
- Any remaining balance will be returned to you via your original payment method (POLi, Visa/Mastercard, bank transfer, or the method you used).
- You will not be able to reopen your account until your chosen exclusion period has fully.
Self-exclusion periods at Lucky Dreams start at 6 months and can extend up to 5 years, with a permanent option available. Re-joining after an exclusion period requires a deliberate request and a mandatory waiting period — because we want to make sure you're genuinely ready, not just reacting to a moment.
To activate self-exclusion, log into your account and navigate to the Responsible Gambling section, or contact our support team directly. We will never pressure you, question your reasons, or make this process difficult.
Reality Checks
Reality checks are gentle on-screen reminders that appear during your play sessions. They show you how long you've been playing and how much you've wagered in that session, giving you a clear, honest picture of your activity without any judgement.
You can set these to appear every 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or hourly. It's a small nudge that can make a big difference.
Account Activity History
You can view your complete betting history, deposit and withdrawal records at any time from your account dashboard. Transparency about your own behaviour is one of the most useful tools there is — sometimes seeing the numbers clearly is all it takes to reset perspective.
Recognising Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can affect anyone, regardless of age, income, or background. It doesn't always look dramatic from the outside. Often it builds quietly, over time.
Common signs to watch for in yourself:
- Spending more than you planned.
- Gambling to escape stress, loneliness, or difficult.
- Lying to friends or family about how much you.
- Borrowing money or dipping into savings to fund.
- Feeling unable to stop even when you want to.
- Neglecting work, family, or responsibilities because of.
Signs a loved one may be struggling:
- Unexplained financial difficulties or requests for.
- Secrecy around their phone or online.
- Mood swings tied to wins and.
- Withdrawal from social life and normal.
- Missing work or important commitments without.
You don't need to be certain before reaching out — to us, or to a helpline. Early conversations are far easier than later ones.
New Zealand Help and Support Services
If you or someone you care about needs support, trained professionals are available in New Zealand right now. These services are free, confidential, and genuinely helpful.
Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand
The Problem Gambling Foundation offers free counselling, support, and advice for people affected by gambling harm — including family members and whānau.
Helpline: 0800 664 262
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can talk to someone immediately, request a callback, or ask about face-to-face support in your area.
Gambling Helpline (via the Problem Gambling Foundation)
The national Gambling Helpline connects you to qualified counsellors who understand what you're going through. No judgement, no pressure — just support.
Call or text: 1800 654 655 (free, available nationwide).
Lifeline New Zealand
If gambling is affecting your mental health and you need someone to talk to urgently:
0800 543 354 — available 24/7.
Need to Talk?
A free mental health and addictions support line staffed by trained counsellors:
Call or text 1737 — available any time, day or.
Our Commitment to New Zealand Players
Lucky Dreams operates with a commitment to safe, fair, and transparent gambling. We are dedicated to meeting the standards expected by the Department of Internal Affairs and align our responsible gambling practices with the guidance of the Gambling Commission New Zealand.
We take our duty of care seriously. That means:
- Never targeting vulnerable players with promotions or bonus.
- Monitoring account activity for patterns that may indicate gambling harm.
- Training our support team to respond to responsible gambling concerns with care and.
- Making our tools easy to find — not buried in menus or fine.
We will always prioritise your wellbeing over your wagering activity. Always.
A Final Word
Whether you're a regular punter who plays the pokies a few times a week or someone who's just getting started, the most important thing is that gambling stays enjoyable. The moment it starts feeling like an obligation, an escape, or a source of stress — it's time to pause and use the tools on this page.
You are always welcome to reach out to Lucky Dreams support for help activating any of the tools above. We're here, we're human, and we genuinely want you to be okay.
Play smart. Play within your means. And if you ever need a hand — reach out.
