Play Responsibly

Gambling should be entertainment — never a way to solve financial problems. This page explains the tools and support available to Canadian players.

Why This Matters

For most people, gambling is a form of entertainment with a fixed budget and clear limits. For a minority, it can become a serious problem that affects finances, relationships, and mental health.

Ontario and other Canadian provinces require licensed operators to provide responsible gambling tools. Knowing how to use them — and where to find help if you need it — is the first step to staying in control.

Warning Signs to Watch For

If any of these sound familiar, it may be time to take a break or seek help.

Chasing losses — trying to win back money you've already lost by betting more
Betting more than you can afford — using money meant for bills, rent, or savings
Hiding your play — not telling family or friends how much you gamble
Borrowing money to gamble — using credit, loans, or borrowing from others
Neglecting responsibilities — missing work, school, or family commitments
Gambling to escape — using gambling to cope with stress, anxiety, or sadness

Tools Available in Canada

Every licensed Canadian casino provides these tools. Use them proactively.

Deposit limits — set daily, weekly, or monthly caps on how much you deposit
Loss limits — cap how much you can lose in a given period
Session reminders — alerts after a set amount of playing time
Time-outs — short breaks from 24 hours up to 6 weeks
Self-exclusion — block yourself from a casino permanently or for a set period
Reality checks — pop-ups showing how long you have been playing

Get Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, free and confidential support is available 24/7 across Canada. You do not need to wait until things get worse to reach out.

ConnexOntario provides information, referrals, and crisis support for anyone affected by gambling — including family members. All services are free, confidential, and available in multiple languages.

ConnexOntario

Phone 1-866-531-2600

Hours 24/7

Cost Free

Self-Assessment

Ask yourself these five questions honestly. If you answer "yes" to any of them, consider reaching out to ConnexOntario.

Have you ever tried to win back money you lost by gambling more?
Have you gambled with money you could not afford to lose?
Have you hidden your gambling from family or friends?
Has gambling affected your relationships, work, or health?
Do you feel guilty or anxious after gambling?

BetGuard: Ontario's Centralized Self-Exclusion

One registration. Blocks you from all 70+ licensed Ontario casinos at once.

BetGuard is a province-wide self-exclusion program that allows you to block yourself from all regulated online gambling sites in Ontario through a single registration. You do not need to visit each casino individually.

Once registered, you are prevented from accessing existing accounts, creating new accounts, and receiving marketing communications from any licensed operator in Ontario.

How It Works

Registration Under 10 minutes

Term options 6mo / 1yr / 5yr

Coverage 70+ sites

Cost Free

Treatment & Support Services

ConnexOntario connects you with free, confidential services across Ontario.

Individual and family counselling — professional support for you and your loved ones
Outpatient and residential treatment — structured programs for recovery
Support groups and recovery networks — connect with others who understand
Financial counselling and debt support — help managing gambling-related debt
24/7 crisis intervention — immediate emotional support when you need it most
Family education programs — support for family members affected by gambling

Safer Play Tips

Practical habits that help keep gambling under control.

Set a deposit limit before you start — decide how much you can afford to lose
Never chase losses — trying to win back money usually leads to more losses
Use session reminders — set alerts every 30 minutes to track your time
Take regular breaks — step away from the screen and reassess
Don't gamble to escape — gambling is not a solution for stress or problems
Keep it social, not secret — if you're hiding your play, it's a warning sign

Important: This page provides educational information about responsible gambling. We are committed to promoting safer gambling practices and only list operators licensed by provincial regulators. 19+ only.