Gambling should always be approached as a form of entertainment—not as a way to make money, recover financial losses, or solve financial difficulties. While many people gamble recreationally without experiencing harm, it is important to understand the risks, remain aware of your habits, and use the tools available to help you stay in control.
Keep Gambling Safe and Enjoyable
Responsible gambling begins with setting clear personal limits. Before playing, decide how much money and time you are comfortable spending and do not exceed those limits. Only gamble with money that you can afford to lose after essential expenses, such as housing, food, bills, transportation, and savings, have been covered.
Avoid borrowing money to gamble and never attempt to recover losses by increasing the size or frequency of your bets. Gambling outcomes are unpredictable, and there is no strategy that can guarantee a win. It is also advisable to avoid gambling when feeling stressed, upset, lonely, tired, or under the influence of alcohol or other substances, as these circumstances may affect decision-making.
Regular breaks can help prevent gambling from becoming excessive. Keeping track of deposits, withdrawals, playing time, and overall spending can also provide a clearer picture of your activity.
Recognizing When Gambling May Be Causing Harm
Gambling may be becoming a problem when it starts affecting your finances, relationships, employment, health, or emotional well-being. Warning signs can include:
- Spending more time or money gambling than intended
- Chasing losses or increasing bets to try to win money back
- Borrowing money or missing payments because of gambling
- Hiding or lying about gambling activity
- Feeling anxious, irritable, guilty, or distressed about gambling
- Finding it difficult to reduce or stop gambling
- Losing interest in other activities or responsibilities
You do not need to wait until gambling has caused a crisis before seeking help. Taking a break, speaking to someone you trust, or contacting a professional support service can be a positive and practical first step.
Tools, Information and Support
BetGuard is Ontario’s centralized self-exclusion service. Adults aged 19 or older can use BetGuard to voluntarily opt out of all regulated online gambling platforms in Ontario through a single registration. During the selected exclusion period, participating operators will restrict access to existing accounts, prevent new account creation, and stop direct marketing communications.
iGaming Ontario provides information about Ontario’s regulated internet gaming market, safer gambling practices, player protection measures, and responsible gambling tools. Players should ensure that they use websites operated by organizations that are registered and authorized to operate in Ontario.
Anyone concerned about their own gambling—or the gambling of a friend or family member—can contact ConnexOntario. ConnexOntario offers free and confidential information about problem gambling services throughout Ontario. Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by telephone, text, email, and online chat.
Gambling should remain enjoyable and within your control. When it no longer feels that way, support and practical tools are available.
