Responsible Gaming in Ontario & Canada

Gambling is supposed to be enjoyable entertainment, but there are some inherent risks that all players need to be aware of. Anyone who gambles — online or off — is potentially at risk of problem gaming behaviors, including betting too much and too often, potentially leading to gambling addiction.

Gambling addiction is a real problem in Canada, and all gaming operators understand part of being authorized to facilitate gambling is to help problem gamblers gain access to resources and tools that can help solve their problems. Specific programs and resources in Canada vary from province to province, but there are general standards in place across the country.

Every province has some form of responsible gaming partner such as GameSense or PlaySmart. Whether one is gambling online or on land, access to responsible gaming resources is very prominent.

Age Verification

Age verification is a crucial part of all gaming operations in Canada and is the first pillar of responsible gaming. While the legal age for gambling varies across Canada depending on the province, all gambling operators are required to enforce the provincial age limit wherever they are.

Online gaming sites require verification of age before any account is activated for betting activities, and a common form of verification is through a provincial photo ID, like a driver’s license. Players will generally not be able to deposit or engage in any gaming activity until verification is complete.

Common Responsible Gaming Tools & Services Available in Canada

Canadian online gaming sites offer a variety of tools and services to help players retain control of their gambling activities. Players will generally have the ability to set deposit and/or time limits for themselves and take time away from the games.

Deposit and Loss Limits

Banking controls like deposit and loss limits are an excellent way for players to control their gaming. Players can set limits on the amount they deposit or the amount they lose over a given time frame.

For most kinds of limits, players choose a time frame, like daily, weekly, or monthly, and set the limit the player wants. A deposit limit of $1,000 per month, for instance, will limit the player to depositing no more than $1,000 in any given calendar month. In the case of a loss limit, a $1,000 monthly loss limit would kick in and restrict a player’s activity if they lost $1,000 or more in any given month.

Time Limits, Time-Outs, and Self-Exclusion

Another crucial set of tools players can use to control their play are time limits and exclusions. These generally come in three main forms:

  • Time Limits: Players can set time limits on their play to help control how long they play. Even when gambling isn’t a financial drain, excessive time spent gambling could be a serious problem, and setting limits on the amount of time a player spends at the games can be a great way to limit gambling time.
  • Time-Outs: Sometimes limiting the time a player plays isn’t enough, and they need to take a complete break from the games. Canadian sites offer time-out features that restrict access to gaming activity for a specified period of time to give the player a breather.
  • Self-Exclusion: In extreme cases, time limits and time outs are insufficient, and in those cases, self-exclusion is an option that all gambling operators will offer. In some cases, long timeouts of more than a year are also called self-exclusion in Canada, but the purpose of self-exclusion is to give players a tool that forces a long-term break from the games.

Community Benefits

One of the most important parts of the responsible gaming of regulated online gaming sites in Canada is the return to the community. Tax revenue from regulated sites goes back into the province to provide funding for education, health care, infrastructure, and community outreach.

While players are generally looking for the best place to play the games they want to play, there is added value in playing on provincially regulated sites in Canada. Not only do players have fun and maybe win some money, but all their activities also help build the province they live in.

What is Problem Gambling?

While gambling is a fun activity for most people that lets them blow off steam with the occasional night at the casino or a bet on the big game, for a few players gambling can become a real problem. All players should keep an eye out for some of the signs gambling might be becoming a problem.

In general, gambling is a problem if it begins to impact the player’s outside life. Those impacts can be:

  • Financial: Gambling should come from disposable income. If your gambling activity starts to make the financial requirements of daily life difficult, that is a red flag.
  • Emotional: The highs and lows of gambling can have a huge impact on emotional well-being. Gambling is supposed to be fun, but the variance can lead to an emotional imbalance that can create serious issues.
  • Time-Based: Even if a player stays within their spending limits, and enjoys the roller coaster ride of gambling, spending too much time at the games can lead to serious problems. It is a big red flag when gambling activities interfere with work or family life.

If you or anyone you know shows any of these signs, it is important to know that help is available and problem gambling is a serious mental health problem that can be treated. Below are some of the places that offer resources to help with problem gambling in Canada.

Canadian Resources for Help with Problem Gambling

Provincially regulated gaming sites in Canada generally partner with a Responsible Gaming organization like GameSense or PlaySmart. Their websites are a great place to start for resources to help control problem gaming.

Other problem gambling resources for Canadians are below:

All provinces in Canada also have some form of problem gambling hotline in addition to the online tools available from the provincial gaming site. Players who feel they need help can phone the numbers below 24 hours a day.

  • Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission Helpline
    • 1-866-332-2322
  • British Columbia ­ Problem Gambling Information and Referral Service
    • 1-888-795-6111
  • Manitoba Gambling Helpline
    • 1-800-463-1554
  • New Brunswick Problem Gamblers Hotline
    • 1-800-461-1234
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Helpline
    • 1-888-899-4357
  • Nova Scotia Toll-Free Gambling Helpline
    • 1-888-347-8888
  • Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Helpline
    • 1-800-265-3333
  • Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline
    • 1-888-230-3505
  • Prince Edward Island Gambling Addiction Treatment Program
    • 1-888-299-8399
  • Québec — Gambling Help and Referral
    • (514) 527-0140 Montreal and surrounding area
    • 1-800-461-0140 and 1-866-767-5389 throughout province
  • Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Helpline
    • 1-800-306-6789

FAQ

Do Canadian online casinos verify age?

Yes. Age verification is a primary function of all Canadian gaming operators. Players should expect to verify they are of legal age to play in the province they are in through an official photo-id like a driver’s license in order to play on any regulated site.

Can I set deposit limits?

Yes, most regulated sites in Canada will offer deposit limits over a customizable time frame to give players control over how much they spend.

Do Canadian gaming sites support time-outs?

Yes, most regulated sites will have tools that allow players to set time limits on their play, and time themselves out for specified periods. In extreme cases, the site will also have long-term or permanent exclusion tools.

Can I set a loss limit on my account?

Yes, most regulated sites in Canada have tools to limit the amount a player loses over a specified time.

Are online gambling sites in Canada rigged?

No! Regulated gaming sites in Canada are subject to provincially regulated independent verification and approval of all games, so players can be assured that games meet a high standard of fairness.