Start with the deposit limit
Every licensed casino has a deposit limit setting in the account area, usually under “Responsible gaming” or “Limits”. Set a daily and a weekly figure before your first deposit. Lowering a limit is instant. Raising it normally comes with a cooling-off period of a day or more, which is the point.
Use your bank, too
Interac and iDebit both pull money from your own bank account, so your bank is the second line of defence. Several Canadian banks and card issuers let you block gambling transactions in their app or over the phone. Ask your branch what's available on your accounts.
Self-exclusion and blocking software
A casino's self-exclusion closes that account for six months, a year or longer. In Ontario, players at regulated sites can also exclude themselves across the provincial market. Blocking apps such as Gamban or BetBlocker go further and stop gambling sites loading on your phone and computer altogether.
Warning signs
- chasing losses with a “last” deposit;
- borrowing, or moving money between accounts to keep playing;
- hiding how much you play from people close to you;
- feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut back.
One of these is enough reason to set a limit today.
Free helplines by province
| Province | Service | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | ConnexOntario | 1-866-531-2600 |
| Quebec | Jeu : aide et référence | 1-800-461-0140 |
| British Columbia | Gambling Support BC | 1-888-795-6111 |
| Alberta | Addiction Helpline | 1-866-332-2322 |
| Saskatchewan | Problem Gambling Helpline | 1-800-306-6789 |
| Nova Scotia | Gambling Support Network | 1-888-347-8888 |
Elsewhere in Canada, responsiblegambling.org keeps a current list of local services, and GameSense has plain-language guides on odds and budgeting.