Age requirements
You must be at least 19 to gamble in most of Canada, or 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Québec. Licensed casinos verify age and identity, and this site is intended only for adults of legal age.
Warning signs
None of these mean you have a problem on their own, but if a few of them sound familiar, it's worth paying attention:
- Spending more money or time gambling than you planned.
- Chasing losses, or gambling to win back money.
- Borrowing money, or using money meant for bills, to gamble.
- Feeling anxious, irritable or low when you are not gambling.
- Hiding gambling from family or friends.
- Gambling to escape stress, loneliness or other problems.
If one or more sound familiar, it is worth talking to someone. The Canadian Problem Gambling Index, used by researchers across Canada, is also available as a short self-assessment through several of the services below.
Practical tools
- Deposit limits: set daily, weekly or monthly caps in your casino account before you start.
- Loss and session limits: cap how much you can lose or how long you can play.
- Reality checks: pop-up reminders showing how long you have been playing.
- Time-outs and self-exclusion: block access for days, months or permanently. Ontario operators must honour exclusion requests, and provincial programs are available elsewhere.
- Bank blocks: many Canadian banks let you block gambling transactions on your cards.
- Blocking software: apps such as Gamban or BetBlocker can block gambling sites on your devices.
Some simple habits help too: decide your budget before you play, never gamble when upset or after drinking, take regular breaks, and treat any money you gamble as the cost of entertainment.
Where to get help
ConnexOntario
Free, confidential 24/7 help for gambling, mental health and addiction in Ontario, by phone, chat or email.
Responsible Gambling Council
Canadian non-profit dedicated to preventing problem gambling, with resources for players and families.
GameSense
Player-education program used by several provincial lottery corporations, with tips, tools and advisors.
Gambling Therapy
Free international online support, including live chat and forums, for gamblers and families.
Other provinces: most provinces run their own free, confidential problem-gambling help lines through their health services. Search “problem gambling help line” plus your province, or ask your family doctor for a referral. Québec residents can contact Jeu : aide et référence, and British Columbia residents can use the BC Gambling Support Line.
If someone close to you gambles
Gambling problems affect families and friends too. Talk openly and without blame, avoid lending money to cover losses, and look after your own wellbeing. The services above also support family members, and many offer dedicated resources for them.