Safe gambling
Stay in control and know where to get help
Gambling should stay entertainment. It is not a way to make money or solve a financial problem. This page covers the signs of harm, the tools that keep play in check, and where to find help in Canada.
Legal age in Canada
You must meet the minimum age for your province. It is 19 in most provinces and territories. It is 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec. Confirm the current rule where you live before you register or play.
Signs it may be becoming a problem
- Spending more time or money than you planned
- Chasing losses to win money back
- Borrowing money or selling things to gamble
- Hiding how much you gamble from people close to you
- Gambling to escape stress, low mood, or boredom
- Feeling anxious or irritable when you try to stop
Practical limits and account controls
Most licensed operators offer tools to help you stay in control. Set these before you play, not after a bad session.
- Deposit limits cap how much you can add over a day, week, or month.
- Loss and wager limits cap how much you can lose or stake.
- Session reminders and time-outs pause play for a short cooling-off period.
- Self-exclusion blocks your account for a longer set period.
Self-exclusion in Canada
Most provinces run a self-exclusion programme through the provincial lottery or gambling regulator. These can block access to provincial gambling venues and websites for a chosen period. Search for the programme run by your provincial regulator, and use the operator's own self-exclusion tool as well. Details and coverage vary by province, so verify the current options where you live.
Where to get help
These resources are provided as a general starting point for Canada. Availability, phone numbers, and hours can change. Please verify the current details directly before relying on them.
- ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600. Free and confidential support for gambling, mental health, and substance use in Ontario, available 24/7.
- Responsible Gambling Council: a Canadian non-profit offering prevention information and resources.
- Your provincial regulator or lottery: runs local self-exclusion and support programmes.
- Emergency: if you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
Helping someone else
If you are worried about a friend or family member, the support lines above can advise you too. Talk to the person calmly, avoid blame, and point them toward the tools and services on this page. You do not have to fix it alone.
Fast withdrawals change when money arrives, not whether the odds favour the house. Treat any balance as already spent, set your limits first, and take regular breaks.