Responsible Gambling

Online gambling should be entertainment, not a source of stress or financial hardship. If gambling is causing problems in your life — or if you're worried it might — this page has the resources you need.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling does not always look the way people expect. It's not just about losing large amounts of money. Consider whether any of the following apply to you:

• Spending more money or time gambling than you planned
• Chasing losses — continuing to gamble to try to win back money you've lost
• Borrowing money or selling things to fund gambling
• Neglecting work, school, or family responsibilities because of gambling
• Feeling restless or irritable when trying to stop or reduce gambling
• Lying to family or friends about how much you gamble
• Gambling to escape problems, anxiety, or depression
• Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to feel the same excitement
• Repeatedly trying to cut back or stop gambling without success

If you recognise three or more of these signs in yourself, consider reaching out to one of the resources below.

Self-Exclusion Programs by Province

Every Canadian province offers a voluntary self-exclusion program that allows you to ban yourself from gambling venues and online platforms. These programs are free and confidential.

• Ontario — ConnexOntario offers referrals to local treatment services for problem gambling, substance use, and mental health.
  Phone: 1-866-531-2600
  connexontario.ca
• Ontario (AGCO regulated sites) — iGaming Ontario's self-exclusion program covers all provincially regulated online casino sites.
  igamingontario.ca
• British Columbia — GameSense (operated by BCLC) provides responsible gambling education and a voluntary self-exclusion program.
  gamesense.com
• Alberta — Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) runs a voluntary self-exclusion program for all Alberta gambling venues.
  Phone: 1-800-332-1733 (AADAC Helpline)
  aglc.ca
• Quebec — Loto-Québec's Mise-o-jeu platform and Espace-jeux both offer self-exclusion. Gambling help is available through the provincial helpline.
  Phone: 1-800-461-0140 (Gambling: Help and Referral)
  jeu-aidereference.qc.ca
• Manitoba — The Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) provides counselling and a self-exclusion program.
  Phone: 1-855-662-6605
  afm.mb.ca
• Saskatchewan — Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) operates a voluntary self-exclusion program.
  slga.com
• Atlantic Provinces (NB, NS, NL, PEI) — Atlantic Lottery offers a self-exclusion program covering all regional gambling products.
  alc.ca

National and International Resources

• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) — Canada's largest mental health and addiction research hospital, based in Toronto. Offers problem gambling treatment programs.
  Phone: 416-535-8501
  camh.ca
• Gamblers Anonymous Canada — Peer support meetings (in-person and online) following the 12-step recovery model.
  gacanada.ca
• Crisis Services Canada — If gambling-related distress has led to thoughts of self-harm, call or text the crisis line.
  Phone: 1-833-456-4566 | Text: 45645
  crisisservicescanada.ca

Tools to Stay in Control

Most reputable online casinos offer built-in tools to help you manage your gambling. We recommend using these features proactively, before problems develop:

• Deposit limits — Set a daily, weekly, or monthly maximum on how much you can deposit. Once the limit is reached, you cannot deposit more until the next period.
• Loss limits — Cap the total amount you can lose within a set period. The casino will block further play once the limit is hit.
• Session time limits — Set a timer that alerts you or logs you out after a specified duration of play.
• Reality checks — Pop-up notifications that display how long you've been playing and your net win/loss for the session.
• Cool-off periods — Temporarily block yourself from gambling for 24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days. Shorter than full self-exclusion but useful for taking a break.
• Self-exclusion — Permanently or semi-permanently close your account. Most casinos offer 6-month, 1-year, and permanent self-exclusion options.

If a casino on our list does not offer these tools, we consider it a significant negative factor in our review.

Our Commitment

We take responsible gambling seriously. Every casino review on our site evaluates the operator's responsible gambling tools, and casinos that lack adequate player protection features are ranked lower or excluded entirely. We also:

• Display 18+ badges on every page
• Link to problem gambling resources in our site footer
• Never encourage users to gamble beyond their means
• Avoid language that portrays gambling as a guaranteed way to make money