Responsible Gaming
Gambling should always be a form of entertainment, not a way to earn money or solve financial problems. The odds are designed to favour the operator, and losses are part of the experience. Never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose, and never chase your losses in an attempt to win back what you have spent.
Age Verification
You must be at least 18 years of age to gamble in Canada. Some provinces and territories, including British Columbia, Ontario, and several others, require you to be 19 or older. Always check and respect the legal gambling age in your specific region. We encourage parents and guardians to use parental controls, keep payment details secure, and never allow minors to access gambling platforms. Underage gambling is illegal and harmful.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can affect anyone, regardless of background. If you or someone you know answers yes to any of the following, it may be time to seek help:
- Chasing losses – gambling more to try to win back money you have lost.
- Hiding gambling – lying to family or friends about time spent or money wagered.
- Spending more than you can afford – using money needed for rent, bills, food, or other essentials.
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling.
- Neglecting responsibilities – missing work, school, or family commitments because of gambling.
- Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut back or stop gambling.
- Gambling to escape from stress, anxiety, depression, or other problems.
- Repeated unsuccessful attempts to control, reduce, or quit gambling.
Self-Help Tools
Most licensed Canadian gambling operators provide responsible gaming tools that you can activate directly in your account settings. Use them to stay in control:
- Deposit limits – set daily, weekly, or monthly caps on how much money you can deposit.
- Loss limits – cap the amount you are willing to lose over a set period.
- Reality checks – receive on-screen reminders of how long you have been playing or how many sessions you have had.
- Self-exclusion – block yourself from a gambling platform for a set period (e.g., 6 months, 1 year, 5 years). In Canada, you can also register with provincial self-exclusion programs such as PlaySmart (Ontario) or GameSense (British Columbia).
- Cooling-off periods – take a temporary break from gambling, from 24 hours to several weeks.
Support Organizations
If you need confidential help, please contact one of the following organizations. Many offer 24/7 support, free counselling, and practical resources for you and your loved ones.
- Canada: Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) – www.responsiblegambling.org. For Ontario residents, call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 (toll-free, 24/7).
- United Kingdom: GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk; GamStop – www.gamstop.co.uk.
- Australia: Gambling Help Online – www.gamblinghelponline.org.au.
- United States: National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) – www.ncpgambling.org or call/text 1-800-GAMBLER.
- Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) – www.bzga.de (search for “Glücksspielsucht” for gambling addiction resources).
- Other countries: Please search for your local national gambling helpline or visit Gambling Therapy for international online support.
Call to Action
If you feel that gambling is no longer just entertainment and is causing harm to you or someone you care about, please seek help today. You are not alone, and recovery is possible. Reach out to a support organization listed above, speak to a trusted friend or family member, or contact a professional counsellor. Taking the first step is a sign of strength, not weakness.