Last updated: May 2026 — Lachlan Drummond, Chicagonewstar
At Chicagonewstar, we believe that gambling should always be an enjoyable form of entertainment — nothing more. Our founder, Lachlan Drummond, built this platform with a clear principle: reviewing PayID pokies sites in Australia comes with a genuine responsibility to protect the players who use our recommendations. We take that responsibility seriously. This page exists not as a legal formality, but because we truly care about the wellbeing of every person who visits chicagonewstar.com.
Gambling carries real risks. For most people, playing pokies is a fun pastime. For others, it can develop into a harmful pattern. Understanding the difference, and knowing where to turn for help, can make a significant difference in someone's life.
Before you play at any PayID pokie site we review, we encourage you to adopt these core habits:
Problem gambling can affect anyone, and it often develops gradually. Awareness is the first step toward getting help. Common warning signs include:
Ask yourself these honest questions. If you answer yes to two or more, we strongly encourage you to reach out for support:
All reputable Australian online casinos featured on Chicagonewstar allow you to set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits. We strongly recommend enabling these limits from the moment you register. Once set, a responsible casino will not allow you to increase your limit without a mandatory waiting period.
Reality check notifications remind you how long you have been playing and how much you have spent. Enable these alerts in your casino account settings. They are a simple, effective way to keep perspective during a session.
If you feel your gambling is becoming problematic, you can request a short-term cooling-off period — typically ranging from 24 hours to several weeks. During this time, you will be unable to access your casino account.
Self-exclusion is a more permanent step. You can voluntarily block yourself from one or multiple gambling platforms for a set period, or indefinitely. In Australia, the BetStop National Self-Exclusion Register (managed by ACMA) allows you to exclude yourself from all licensed Australian interactive gambling services at once. Visit betstop.gov.au to register.
If you or someone you know needs immediate support, please reach out today. Help is available and confidential:
Chicagonewstar also recognises the following trusted global organisations that provide expert guidance, counselling, and recovery resources:
Chicagonewstar operates a zero-tolerance policy regarding underage gambling. Every casino we recommend on this site is required to implement robust age verification processes before any player can deposit or play. You must be 18 years of age or older to gamble legally in Australia. If you are aware of a minor attempting to access gambling services, please contact the relevant casino's support team immediately. We also encourage parents and guardians to use parental control software such as Gamban or Net Nanny to restrict access to gambling websites on shared devices.
Gambling should never feel like a burden, an obsession, or a source of shame. If it does, please know that you are not alone, and that reaching out is a sign of strength. The resources listed on this page are here for exactly that reason. We are proud to recommend only licensed, responsible PayID pokies sites — and we are equally proud to stand behind every player who needs support. Your wellbeing always comes first.