Last updated: May 2026 — Daniel Hargreaves, Dunstanhotel
At Dunstanhotel, we believe that gambling should always be an enjoyable, entertaining experience — never a source of stress, financial hardship, or harm. As a trusted resource for New Zealand players since our founding, we take our responsibility seriously. This page has been put together by our team, led by Daniel Hargreaves, to ensure every visitor to dunstanhotel.co.nz has access to the tools, information, and support they need to gamble safely and responsibly.
We only recommend licensed, regulated online casinos that uphold the highest standards of player protection. But we also know that responsible gaming starts with you — and we are here to help every step of the way.
Gambling is a popular form of entertainment for millions of New Zealanders. When approached mindfully, it can be fun and exciting. However, for some people, gambling can become problematic. Recognising the warning signs early is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and those around you.
Problem gambling can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or income. The following signs may indicate that gambling has stopped being a hobby and has become a problem:
If any of these signs sound familiar, please reach out for help. You are not alone, and support is available right now.
Ask yourself the following questions honestly. If you answer yes to two or more of them, we strongly encourage you to speak with a professional support service:
Every reputable online casino listed on Dunstanhotel provides players with practical tools to help manage their gambling habits. We encourage all players to use these features proactively — not just when things feel out of control.
Set a daily, weekly, or monthly cap on how much money you can deposit into your casino account. This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay within your budget. Limits can usually be reduced immediately but may take a short cooling-off period before being increased.
Reality check notifications remind you how long you have been playing during a session. These pop-up alerts help you stay aware of time spent gambling so you can make informed decisions about whether to continue or take a break.
If you feel you need a short break, a cooling-off period allows you to temporarily pause your account — typically for 24 hours, a week, or a month. During this time, you cannot log in or place bets, giving you space to reflect.
Self-exclusion is a more significant step that allows you to block yourself from accessing a casino platform for an extended period — usually between six months and five years, or permanently. If you feel you are losing control, self-exclusion is a powerful tool. Contact the casino's support team directly or use national self-exclusion schemes where available in New Zealand.
If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please contact one of these free, confidential services:
The following organisations offer world-class support, resources, and counselling for anyone affected by problem gambling:
Dunstanhotel operates a strict 18+ only policy. All online casinos we recommend are required to verify the age of every player before allowing real-money play. Underage gambling is illegal and harmful. If you are aware of a minor accessing gambling platforms, please report it to the casino's support team immediately.
If you share a device with younger family members, we strongly recommend enabling parental control software such as Net Nanny or Gamban to block access to gambling websites.
We genuinely care about the wellbeing of every person who visits dunstanhotel.co.nz. Gambling is meant to be fun — and with the right tools and awareness, it can stay that way. If you ever feel that gambling is no longer enjoyable, please stop, reach out, and seek support. There is no shame in asking for help, and the resources listed on this page are ready to assist you. Play smart, play safe, and remember: help is always available.