Responsible Gambling

Gambling is entertainment that costs money, not a way to earn it. A fast withdrawal is only good news if you were gambling with money you could afford to lose. If gambling is causing problems for you or someone close to you, free and confidential help is available across Canada.

Age

You must be 18 or older to gamble in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, and 19 or older in the other provinces and territories.

Warning signs

• Spending more money or time than you planned, or chasing losses.
• Borrowing money, using bill money or hiding gambling from people close to you.
• Feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut down.
• Cancelling a withdrawal to keep playing with the winnings.
• Gambling to escape stress, low mood or other problems.

Tools that help

• Deposit and loss limits. Most casinos let you set daily, weekly or monthly limits in the account settings. Set them before you play.
• Time-outs and self-exclusion. You can usually block your account for a period or permanently through support or the account settings.
• Bank blocks. Many Canadian banks let you block gambling transactions on your cards.
• Withdraw winnings promptly. A balance left in the account is easy to play again.

Where to get help

Provincial health services also run gambling support programs; your provincial health line or family doctor can refer you.