Last updated: May 2026 — Lachlan Drummond, Thecooksfoundry
At Thecooksfoundry, we believe that enjoying online pokies for real money should always be a fun and entertaining experience — never a source of stress, harm, or financial hardship. Our founder, Lachlan Drummond, built this platform on the principle that player welfare comes first, always. This page exists because we genuinely care about every person who visits thecooksfoundry.com, and we want to make sure you have the tools, knowledge, and support you need to gamble safely.
Gambling is a form of entertainment. When it stops feeling that way, it is time to take action. We are here to help you do exactly that.
Thecooksfoundry operates with a strict 18 years and older policy. Online gambling is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 in Australia, and we strongly support all age verification measures enforced by licensed casino operators. If you suspect a minor is accessing gambling content, please contact the relevant casino's support team immediately. We never recommend or endorse gambling to underage individuals under any circumstances.
Problem gambling can develop gradually and is often difficult to recognise in yourself. Being aware of the warning signs is an important first step. You may be experiencing problem gambling if you notice any of the following behaviours:
Ask yourself the following questions honestly. If you answer yes to two or more, we strongly encourage you to seek support:
Licensed online casinos available to Australian players offer a range of responsible gambling tools. We always recommend using these features proactively, not just when a problem arises.
Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits to control how much money you load into your casino account. Once a limit is set, reputable casinos will enforce a cooling-off period before any increase can take effect.
Reality check notifications remind you how long you have been playing and how much you have spent. Enabling these pop-up alerts helps you stay grounded and make conscious decisions about your session.
A cooling-off period temporarily restricts your access to your account for a chosen timeframe — from 24 hours to several weeks. This gives you breathing space to reassess your gambling habits without permanently closing your account.
Self-exclusion is a formal agreement between you and a casino that prevents you from accessing your account for a set period, or permanently. In Australia, the BetStop National Self-Exclusion Register allows you to self-exclude from all licensed interactive wagering services in one step. Visit betstop.gov.au to register. Most individual casinos also offer their own self-exclusion options through their account settings or customer support teams.
If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to one of these Australian support services:
The following organisations provide free, confidential support, resources, and counselling for people affected by gambling harm:
If you have concerns about content on thecooksfoundry.com or want to share feedback about responsible gambling resources, please reach out to us directly. Lachlan Drummond and the Thecooksfoundry team are committed to reviewing and improving this page regularly so it reflects the most accurate and helpful information available in 2026 and beyond. You are not alone, and help is always within reach.