Responsible Gambling

Reviewed by Gavin BeechGambling & Sports Betting Writer · Updated October 2026

Gambling should be a form of entertainment with a known cost, never a way to make money, pay bills or escape problems. This page explains how to keep it that way, how to spot when it is going wrong and where to find free, confidential help anywhere in Canada.

ValleyGames is an information site. We do not run games, take bets or hold player funds. We earn commissions when visitors sign up with casinos through our links, which is why we think it matters to be clear about the risks. Gambling is only for adults: 19 or older in most of Canada, and 18 or older in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec.

If you need help right now

• In a crisis or thinking about suicide: call or text 9-8-8, the Suicide Crisis Helpline, available 24 hours a day. If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
• In Ontario: ConnexOntario answers around the clock at 1-866-531-2600. The service is free and confidential, and you can also reach it by text at 247247 or by live chat on its website.
• Anywhere in Canada: the Responsible Gambling Council, a non-profit organisation, keeps a list of help services for each province and territory.

Help lines by province and territory

These services are free and confidential. Most also support family members and friends who are worried about someone else’s gambling.

Gamblers Anonymous runs free peer support meetings, in person and online, for anyone who wants to stop gambling.

Signs that gambling is becoming a problem

Problems rarely start overnight. Ask yourself honestly whether any of these sound familiar:

• You spend more money or time on gambling than you planned, and this keeps happening.
• You need bigger bets to get the same excitement.
• You try to win back losses by playing again, often with larger amounts.
• You borrow money, use credit or sell things to gamble or to cover losses.
• Bills, rent or savings suffer because of gambling.
• You hide how much you gamble from family or friends, or feel defensive when it comes up.
• You gamble to escape stress, boredom, loneliness or low mood.
• You feel restless or irritable when you try to cut down.
• Work, study, sleep or relationships are affected.

If several of these apply to you, or to someone close to you, it is a good time to talk to one of the services above. You do not have to wait until things are serious.

Practical habits that keep gambling in check

• Set a budget before you start. Decide what you can afford to lose and treat it as the price of the entertainment. Never use money meant for rent, bills, food or debt payments.
• Set a time limit. Decide how long you will play and use an alarm or the site’s session reminder so time does not slip away.
• Use reality checks. Many sites can show a pop-up at set intervals with how long you have played and how much you have won or lost. Turn it on and take it seriously.
• Do not chase losses. A loss is the cost of playing, not a debt to win back.
• Do not gamble on credit. Use only money you already have.
• Avoid gambling when you are upset, tired or have been drinking. Judgment suffers, and so does your budget.
• Take regular breaks and keep gambling as one activity among many.
• Keep a record of what you deposit and lose each month. Seeing the real numbers can be eye-opening.

How deposit, loss and time limits work

Regulated online casinos let players set limits in their account, usually in a section called responsible gambling, safer play or account limits. In Ontario’s regulated market, sites are required to provide these tools.

• Deposit limits cap how much money you can add to your account over a day, a week or a month.
• Loss limits cap how much you can lose over a chosen period.
• Wager limits, where offered, cap the total amount you can bet.
• Time limits end or pause a session after a set time.

Making a limit stricter usually takes effect straight away. Loosening or removing one is deliberately delayed so the decision is not made in the heat of the moment. In Ontario, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario requires a cooling-off period of at least 24 hours before a loosened limit applies.

Set limits when you are calm and before you play, not in the middle of a session.

Self-exclusion

Self-exclusion is a voluntary agreement to be blocked from gambling for a set period. During that time you cannot log in to, or open, accounts covered by the program, and marketing to you should stop. In most programs the period cannot be shortened once it starts.

• Ontario: BetGuard, launched by iGaming Ontario in 2026, lets people aged 19 and older opt out of every regulated online gambling site in the province, including OLG’s, in one step. Terms of 6 months, 1 year, 5 years or a custom length are available.
• Other provinces: provincial lottery and gaming corporations run self-exclusion programs for their casinos and government online platforms. Your provincial help line can explain how to sign up.
• Individual sites: most online casinos also offer self-exclusion and shorter “time-out” breaks in the account settings. These usually cover only that one site, so if you have several accounts, close or exclude each of them.

Blocking software on your phone and computer, and asking your bank whether it can block gambling transactions on your cards, can add an extra layer of protection.

Supporting someone you care about

If you are worried about a family member or friend, choose a calm moment to talk, describe what you have noticed without blame, and listen. Avoid lending money or paying gambling debts, as this can keep the cycle going. The help lines above support families too, and talking to a counsellor can help you look after yourself as well.

Our commitment

We want our content to be read by adults who gamble for fun and within their means. If you think anything on ValleyGames encourages harmful gambling, please tell us through our Contact us page.

Last updated: October 2026