What Responsible Gambling Means
Responsible gambling is all about keeping players safe. It refers to the policies, tools, and standards that are applied to reduce the risk of gambling harm.
In Canada, responsible gambling practices are overseen by provincial regulators and implemented by licensed operators. These include age and identity checks, safe gambling tools for players, and access to support services.
Player Protection Requirements at Licensed Canadian Casinos
Licensed operators in Canada must follow rules that have been designed to reduce player risk and maintain transparency. These requirements vary by province, but many are consistent across all regulated platforms.
Underage Gambling Prevention
Underage gambling is illegal and all licensed and regulated online casinos must prevent access to their sites by anyone under the legal gambling age. The legal gambling age in Canada is 19+ in most provinces with Manitoba, Quebec and Alberta being the exceptions at 18+. To prevent underage gambling, age verification and document checks are carried out by casinos.
Identity Verification (KYC)
Know Your Customer (KYC) verification is mandatory at all licensed online casinos. KYC checks confirm identity and age, protect accounts, support the enforcement of limits, and ensure that withdrawals are paid to the verified account holder.
Safer Gambling Tools Available To Players
Canadian online casinos have responsible gambling tools that players can use to monitor and limit their gambling activity. The availability of these tools can vary by operator, but the following options are standard and required by regulatory authorities.
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Deposit and Spending Limits
Players have the ability to set deposit and loss limits on their casino accounts. This can be a daily, weekly, or monthly limit. They can usually be set in the player account settings and reduce the risk of loss while providing spending control.
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Time Limits and Session Reminders
Time limits on gaming sessions can be set and will remind players with notification when they hit their set limitations. This helps to manage the time spent playing.
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Activity Statements and History
Licensed casinos provide players with access to their transaction and gameplay history so they can review the time and money they have spent.
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Cooling Off Periods and Timeouts
Cooling off periods and short timeout breaks temporarily prevent players from logging into their account or making deposits for a set period of time. These are voluntary timeouts set by the player and are for the specific casino only.
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Self-Exclusion (Casino Specific and Provincial)
Players can request self-exclusion for longer periods of time. Self-exclusion tools offered by online casino operators will block access to the site. There are also provincial self-exclusion programs that players can use which will block access to all the provincial casinos and sites.
To see how responsible gambling tools factor into our reviews, read our casino evaluation process.
Responsible Gambling Resources in Canada
There are responsible gambling resources across Canada. These are provincial and national services and the organizations provide information and confidential support for Canadian players. There are different programs and resources for each province as well as some national Canadian services.
Provincial Support Programs
- British Columbia: Regulation is through the BCLC. Game Break is available which is operated by GameSense. This can be used to block access to gambling sites for a period of 6 months up to 3 years. There's also a 24/7 toll free helpline.
- Alberta: The AGLC has a self-exclusion program that can be used to self-exclude from all Alberta casinos including PlayAlberta and racing entertainment centres. There is a 24/7 helpline.
- Saskatchewan: The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) offers a self-exclusion program. It can be requested at any of their locations.
- Manitoba: The Game Break program is available via the PlayNow.com website.
- Ontario: ConnexOntario and MyPlayBreak are available and offer 24/7 support and provincial self-exclusion.
- Quebec: Loto Quebec has an opt-in self-exclusion program and more help is available from Gambling Help and Referral (GHR).
- New Brunswick: The Responsible Gambling Information Centre (RGIC) offers self-exclusion and this is funded by the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation (NBLGC).
- Nova Scotia: Self-exclusion is available through the Responsible Gambling Resource Centre in Halifax or Sydney. You can also exclude from lottery through the Atlantic Lottery.
- Prince Edward Island: The PlayWise self-exclusion program, support and information services are available Red Shores.
- Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut: There are no dedicated self-exclusion programs, but support and help is available through toll free gambling helplines.
National Canadian Services
Optional International Support
There are some international support organizations that offer support and advice for problem gambling.
- Gamblers Anonymous: Offers peer support groups with meetings worldwide and online help options.
- Gambling Therapy: This is another international support organization that offers online support and resources.
Signs of Gambling Harm: Self Check Questions
The questions below help to identify the common indicators that are referenced by the Canadian responsible gambling organizations. They are for awareness only and are not a diagnosis.
Self-Assessment Questions
- Have you been spending more time or money on gambling than planned?
- Have you tried to reduce or stop gambling and found it difficult?
- Do you think about gambling when doing other things?
- Do you hide or minimize gambling activity from family or friends?
- Do you use gambling to manage stress, boredom, loneliness, or difficult feelings?
- Have work, study, or family responsibilities been affected by gambling?
- Have you borrowed money or sold things to gamble?
- Have you unpaid bills or increasing debt because of gambling?
- Have you felt guilt, frustration, or anxiety because of gambling?
- Have you used your savings or other money that you shouldn't to gamble?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, support and help is available through the provincial programs and support organizations listed on this page.
Blocking Access to Gambling Websites and Apps
Canadians can choose to limit their access to gambling website by using different software and app settings. The availability of these tools can vary.
Third Party Blocking Software
- GamBlock: This is a paid app that can be used to block websites and apps and you can't bypass it using a VPN. You can't disable it with factory settings on devices. It blocks all gambling websites in Canada.
- Betblocker: This is a free app that is available worldwide. It can be used to block access to gambling websites. It can be used anonymously.
- Gamban: This is a paid tool that will automatically block any new gambling website and subscriptions can be yearly or monthly. It can be used on all operating systems.
Device and Browser Controls
- iOS and Android: Screen time or wellbeing settings can be used to restrict categories or specific apps.
- Browsers: Category based filters and extensions can limit access to gambling domains.
- Network or ISP: Some providers offer optional content filters at the account level.
These tools are operated independently from Online-Casinos.ca and do not guarantee complete removal of gambling content.
Reduce Gambling Ads Online
Major platforms offer advertising preference settings that may reduce personalized gambling ads. Options and effectiveness vary by platform and device. Typical examples include ad personalisation controls in a Google Account, ad preference menus on Facebook and Instagram, and category settings linked to YouTube. Email unsubscribe links can also reduce promotional messages from operators you have engaged with. These settings may reduce, but not eliminate, exposure to gambling related advertising.
Online-Casinos.ca's Commitment to Safer Gambling
We provide clear and factual information on our site so readers can understand the responsible gambling protections that are available in Canada. Our reviews look at licensing, the safety requirements for operators, and the responsible gambling tools that each site offers. The partner relationships that we have don't interfere with our safety content and we verify all information using our editorial review process. For full transparency and disclosure, see our Disclaimer.
FAQs
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Why is responsible gambling important?
Responsible gambling reduces risk by ensuring players have factual information, optional controls, and access to support services required by regulators.
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How do casinos stop underage gambling?
Online casinos are required to verify a player's age and identify. This requires them to complete document checks and players must upload copies of their government issued ID in order to comply. Where player's identity cannot be verified, casinos can block the account.
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Can I set spending limits on my casino account?
Yes, you can. Licensed online casinos have responsible gambling tools that allow you to set limits on deposits and losses. These can be found within your account settings.
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What is self-exclusion and how do I use it?
Self-exclusion is where you can ban yourself from the online casino you play at. It is part of responsible gambling tools that are offered. There are temporary self-exclusions that you can set which range from 3 months to a year or more. There are provincial programs that offer longer exclusions and these include MyPlayBreak in Ontario.
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How can I reduce gambling ads online?
Platforms such as Google and major social networks provide ad preference settings that may reduce personalised gambling categories.
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Where can I get help if I live in Ontario?
Ontario residents can use ConnexOntario for round the clock support and referrals, and MyPlayBreak for the provincial exclusion program.
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Are all online casinos in Canada regulated?
Online gambling is regulated at the provincial level. Ontario has its own regulated market and all online casinos in Ontario are regulated by the AGCO and iGaming Ontario. Other provinces have provincially run licensed casinos such as PlayNow for BC, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, PlayAlberta in Alberta, and EspaceJeux in Quebec.
Conclusion
Canada's regulated iGaming market provides player protections, responsible gambling tools, and access to helpful organizations. Casinos outside Canada also have responsible gambling protections in place including tools for setting limits and links to get help.
Help is always available and Canadians can use the different provincial and national links that we've listed on this page.
