How do you calculate safe gambling allowance?

Disposable income (net income minus fixed expenses minus savings) multiplied by a risk-tier percentage (5%–22% depending on self-rated risk profile).

Why is 5% the cap for high-risk players?

Public-health research (CAMH Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines, 2021) and the AU Productivity Commission Inquiry 2010 both suggest that for individuals with prior loss-chasing or hidden-gambling behaviour, the safer-gambling pathway is self-exclusion rather than increased limits. The 5% cap acknowledges some users will gamble regardless — but flags the underlying risk explicitly.

Does the tool send my income to anyone?

No. All calculation runs client-side. We collect no PII.

Will the casino accept a low deposit limit?

Yes — every licensed operator (and most offshore brands like Wild Fortune) allows you to set lower limits any time. Raising limits typically requires a 24–72h cooldown, which is intentional.

What if my plan says my limit is $0?

That means your fixed expenses + savings already meet your income. The honest answer is that gambling at any level is unaffordable — talk to a counsellor or use self-exclusion tools before depositing anywhere.

Deposit Limit Planner — Safer Gambling Budget Tool 2026

Your Numbers

Net Monthly Income (after tax)

Fixed Monthly Expenses (rent, food, utilities, transport, insurance)

Monthly Savings Target (kept untouched)

Sessions per Week

Honest self-rating1 — I always stop on plan and never chase2 — Mostly disciplined; occasional overspend3 — Sometimes I go past my plan4 — I've had bad months recently5 — I've chased losses or hidden gambling

Your Recommended Plan

Risk Band

Conservative (10% of disposable)

Disposable Monthly Income

A$1,200

Recommended Monthly Limit

A$120

Weekly Limit

A$28

Daily Limit

A$4

Per-Session Limit

A$14

Guidance

Set this limit at your casino BEFORE depositing (most operators require 24–72h cool-down to raise limits).
Treat the limit as your monthly gambling cost — like a subscription. If you hit it, you stop until next month.

Why pre-commitment beats willpower

Behavioural economics research is unambiguous: the version of you setting limits at noon on a Tuesday has different judgment than the version of you down $200 at 2 a.m. The whole point of setting a deposit limit BEFORE depositing is to remove the in-session choice. By the time you hit the limit, the decision has already been made by your earlier, sober self.

What our risk tiers actually mean

The tiers correspond to research-backed thresholds for "lower-risk gambling." CAMH's 2021 Canadian guidelines suggest that for most adults, keeping gambling spend below 1% of gross monthly income AND below 4 gambling days per month substantially reduces harm risk. We translate those into disposable-income percentages because gross income overstates spending capacity when fixed expenses + savings are high.

What to do with the output

Open your casino account's limit settings page.
Set the daily / weekly / monthly limits to match (or be lower than) the tool's recommendation.
If the operator doesn't offer all three levels, set the strictest available.
Take a screenshot. The cooldown protects you against your future self.
Pair with a third-party blocker (Gamban, BetBlocker) if you've had loss-chasing episodes.

If the tool says your safe limit is $0

Your fixed expenses + savings already meet or exceed your income. The honest math says gambling at any amount is unaffordable. This isn't a judgment — it's the same answer a financial counsellor would give. Use the helpline links to talk to someone before depositing anywhere. Read the full safer-gambling + self-exclusion hub →

Frequently asked questions

Is this approved by a clinician?

The percentage ranges align with CAMH and AU Productivity Commission research. The tool itself isn't a substitute for clinical advice — if you're self-rating at 4 or 5, the appropriate next step is a counsellor, not a tighter deposit limit.

What about gambling at Wild Fortune specifically?

Wild Fortune offers configurable daily/weekly/monthly deposit limits in account settings. Set them BEFORE your first deposit — raises require a 24–72h cooldown, which is good. Wild Fortune does NOT participate in BetStop (Australian national self-exclusion) or any provincial Canadian SE program because it's a Tobique-licensed offshore brand. Use the safer-gambling hub for the full coverage matrix.

Why does the tool ask for savings?

Skipping savings to fund gambling is one of the strongest predictors of problem gambling in longitudinal studies. By requiring you to allocate savings first, the tool surfaces whether your "disposable" income is actually disposable.

18+ only. This tool does not replace professional financial or clinical advice. If you're worried about your gambling, talk to a counsellor. AU: 1800 858 858. CA: 1-866-531-2600. Full safer-gambling resources.