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Player Safety First

Gambling Should
Always Be Fun

If gambling stops being enjoyable, or starts affecting your finances, relationships, or mental health, it is time to act. This page is a comprehensive resource centre for Canadian players at every stage. Everything here is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

Need Help Right Now?
ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 · Text CONNEX to 247247
Free · Confidential · 24/7 · Multilingual
Take the Self-Check iGO Safety Tools Find Support
Canadian Gambling Harm, Key Facts
80%
of Canadians who gamble do so without harm
~2%
experience moderate-to-severe gambling problems
10x
more people are affected by someone else’s gambling
iGO Licensed Operator Requirements
Deposit limits mandatory
Time limits and reality checks
Province-wide self-exclusion
No auto-play on slot games
Verified 19+ age at registration
RG messaging on all promotions
Mandated by AGCO Standards for Internet Gaming
Understanding

What Does Responsible Gambling Mean?

Responsible gambling means making informed choices about when, where, and how much you gamble. For most Canadians, gambling is an occasional entertainment activity, like going to a movie or a restaurant. The key difference is knowing your limits before you start, not after you exceed them.

The Gambling Harm Spectrum (Canadian Problem Gambling Index)
No Problems
Gambling for fun, within budget
Low Risk
Minor concerns, few consequences
Moderate Risk
Negative consequences in some areas
Problem
Significant harm, multiple areas
Source: Ferris & Wynne (2001). The Canadian Problem Gambling Index.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Spending more than you can afford, or borrowing money to gamble
Spending more time gambling than you originally intended
Chasing losses, gambling to win back money you have lost
Neglecting family, work, or social commitments because of gambling
Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when you are not gambling
Hiding your gambling activity from people close to you
Using bill money, savings, or emergency funds to gamble
Gambling as a way to escape stress, anxiety, or depression
Self-Assessment

The Gambling Self-Check

Based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), the validated Canadian screening tool from the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (Ferris & Wynne, 2001). Takes about 2 minutes. Your answers are never stored or shared.

Thinking about the last 12 months of gambling…
For each question, choose: Never (0) · Sometimes (1) · Most of the time (2) · Almost always (3)
01
Have you bet more than you could really afford to lose?
02
Have you needed to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling of excitement?
03
When you gambled, did you go back another day to try to win back money you lost?
04
Have you borrowed money or sold anything to get money to gamble?
05
Have you felt that you might have a problem with gambling?
06
Has gambling caused you any health problems, including stress or anxiety?
07
Have people criticised your gambling or told you it was a problem, regardless of whether you thought so?
08
Has your gambling caused any financial problems for you or your household?
09
Have you felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble?
0 of 9 answered
iGO Protection

Tools at Every Licensed Ontario Casino

Every casino licensed by iGaming Ontario must offer all of these tools. You do not need to explain yourself to use them. Most activate immediately.

Deposit Limits
Set a daily, weekly, or monthly cap on deposits. Limits can only be increased after a mandatory 7-day cooling-off period. They take effect immediately when reduced.
Learn more about deposit limits
Time Limits and Reality Checks
Set a maximum session length. Reality checks appear every 30, 60, or 90 minutes showing time played and amount wagered. Slot auto-play is prohibited under AGCO rules.
Learn more about time-outs
Self-Exclusion
Exclude yourself from all iGaming Ontario licensed casinos simultaneously. Periods range from 6 months to 5 years. A centralised iGO self-exclusion system is launching in 2025-26.
Learn more about self-exclusion
Loss Limits
Set a maximum amount you can lose per day, week, or month. Unlike deposit limits, loss limits track your actual net gaming outcome, not just deposits.
Set in your account settings
Account History
Review your complete deposit, withdrawal, wager, and win/loss history at any time. Transparent records are one of the most powerful tools for maintaining informed control.
View in your account
Account Closure
You can request permanent closure at any time and the operator must act immediately. Note: this differs from self-exclusion, which covers all iGO-licensed operators province-wide.
Contact operator support
Third-Party Blocking Tools

For players who want an extra layer of protection beyond operator tools. Use alongside iGO self-exclusion for the strongest available protection.

Gamban
Blocks all gambling sites across every device. Mobile, desktop, and tablet. Paid with free trial.
All Devices
BetBlocker
Free open-source blocker covering 100,000+ gambling domains. Works on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
100% Free
Gamblers Anonymous
In-person and online peer support meetings across Canada. Free fellowship for recovery from problem gambling.
Free Meetings
The Framework

How to Keep Gambling Fun

1
Set a Budget Before You Start
Decide in advance how much you are comfortable losing, not winning. Treat it as an entertainment cost. Once it is gone, stop. Never chase losses.
2
Set a Time Limit
Decide how long you will play before you sit down. Set an alarm. Use the built-in time limits your operator must provide under AGCO rules.
3
Understand How the Games Work
Every casino game has a mathematical house edge. Slots pay back 94-97%. Blackjack with basic strategy pays back 99.5%. These are long-run averages, not guarantees.
4
Never Gamble Under the Influence
Alcohol and substances impair judgment. The worst decisions happen when players are intoxicated. AGCO restricts operators from promoting gambling alongside alcohol consumption.
5
Balance It with Other Activities
Gambling should be one of many leisure activities, not the main one. If you find yourself thinking about gambling while doing other things, that is a warning sign worth noting.
6
Know When to Ask for Help
Asking for help is not weakness. It is self-awareness. The sooner you reach out, the more options are available. Canadian support services are entirely free and confidential.
Get Support

Canadian Responsible Gambling Resources

All of these services are free, professional, and confidential. You do not need to be a problem gambler to use them, they exist for anyone who wants guidance.

Ontario
ConnexOntario
24/7 Helpline & Referral Service

Ontario’s primary gateway for mental health, substance use, and problem gambling services. Trained counsellors provide immediate support and referrals to local treatment.

1-866-531-2600 Text CONNEX to 247247 connexontario.ca
Free 24/7 Multilingual Chat available
PlaySmart
OLG, Education & In-Person Support

Ontario Lottery and Gaming’s responsible gambling program. PlaySmart Centres at OLG casinos offer on-site counsellor access and self-assessment tools.

playsmart.ca
Free Self-assessment tools On-site support
problemgambling.ca
Ontario Government Resource

Ontario’s dedicated problem gambling portal. Provides information for players, families, and treatment seekers. Includes a treatment centre locator.

problemgambling.ca
Free Family support Treatment finder
British Columbia
GameSense
BCLC, BC and Alberta

BCLC’s award-winning responsible gambling program. GameSense Advisors provide free, non-judgmental guidance at BC Lottery casinos and online.

1-888-795-6111 gamesense.com
FreeIn-person support
Responsible Gambling BC
BC Government

Provincial resource hub including a 24-hour helpline, treatment options, and self-exclusion covering all BCLC properties.

1-888-795-6111
Free24/7
Canada-Wide
Gamblers Anonymous Canada
Peer Support, National

Fellowship of men and women who share experience and support for recovery from problem gambling. In-person and online meetings across Canada at no cost.

Find a meeting
FreePeer supportOnline & in-person
Gam-Anon Canada
Support for Families

Support specifically for families and friends of problem gamblers. Offers meetings and resources for those affected by someone else’s gambling.

gam-anon.org
FreeFamily focus
Other Provincial Helplines
Alberta
AGLC GameSense
1-800-522-4700
Quebec
Jeu aide ref.
1-800-461-0140
Manitoba
MBLL Addictions
1-800-463-1554
Saskatchewan
SLGA Helpline
1-800-306-6789
Nova Scotia
NS Problem Gambling
1-888-347-8888
New Brunswick
Horizon Health
1-800-561-4422
Newfoundland
Mental Health Line
1-888-737-4668
PEI
Gambling Helpline
1-855-255-4742
For Families

Supporting Someone Else

Gambling problems affect far more than the person who gambles. Research suggests that for every person with a serious gambling problem, between 5 and 10 others, partners, children, parents, friends, and colleagues, are significantly impacted.

You cannot force someone to stop gambling, but you can protect yourself, set clear boundaries, and find support for your own wellbeing. Gam-Anon and ConnexOntario exist specifically for this situation.

Seek your own support
Contact Gam-Anon or ConnexOntario for guidance specific to supporting a loved one with a gambling problem.
Have a calm conversation
Choose a moment when both of you are calm. Use "I feel" statements rather than accusations or ultimatums.
Protect your finances
Separate bank accounts, set limits on joint accounts, and seek financial counselling if gambling debts exist.
Look after yourself
Your mental health matters too. Caregiver burnout is real. You cannot effectively help someone else if you are not OK.