Gambling is entertainment. When it stops being fun, free help is available 24 hours a day across Canada. This page covers Canadian support resources, how to use casino safety tools, and how to recognise when gambling may be a problem.
Canadian helplines — free, confidential, 24/7
All services below are free of charge and available to anyone in Canada.
Ontario's gambling regulator. File complaints about licensed Ontario operators or access Ontario-specific responsible gambling information.
Business hours · Official regulator
Outside Ontario? Contact your provincial health authority or call 211 to be connected with local addiction support services.
Signs that gambling may be a problem
Problem gambling can develop gradually. The following are common warning signs — if several apply to you or someone you know, speaking with a counsellor is a good next step.
Ask yourself:
1Do you find yourself gambling more than you intended or for longer than planned?
2Do you chase losses — gambling more to try to win back money you've lost?
3Have you tried to cut down or stop gambling but found it difficult?
4Is gambling affecting your relationships, work or financial situation?
5Do you hide your gambling from friends or family?
6Do you feel anxious, restless or irritable when not gambling?
7Have you borrowed money or sold items to fund gambling?
If you answered yes to two or more of the above, please consider reaching out to ConnexOntario (1-866-531-2600) or visiting responsiblegambling.org. All support services are free and confidential.
Responsible gambling tools at licensed casinos
Every casino in our rankings is required to offer tools that let you control your gambling. Here's what to look for and how to use them.
Deposit limits
Set a daily, weekly or monthly cap on how much you can deposit. Most casinos apply limits immediately but require a waiting period (usually 24 hours) to increase them. Use this before you start playing.
Loss limits
Cap your total losses over a set period. If you hit the limit, the casino locks you out from further play until the limit period resets. Available at Jackpot City and Spin Casino (Ontario).
Session time limits
Set a maximum session length. You'll receive a reminder or be logged out automatically when the time expires. Useful for preventing long unplanned sessions.
Cool-off period
Temporarily suspend your account for a defined period (24 hours to 6 weeks typically). Your account remains open but you cannot log in or play. Reversible after the period ends.
Self-exclusion
Permanently or long-term block your account. Most casinos offer 6-month, 1-year and permanent self-exclusion. Ontario players can self-exclude across all iGO-licensed casinos simultaneously via the AGCO.
Reality checks
Pop-up notifications showing how long you've been playing and how much you've spent. Set these to trigger every 30–60 minutes to maintain awareness during long sessions.
Ontario players: The AGCO requires all iGaming Ontario-licensed casinos to offer the above tools as a minimum standard. If a licensed Ontario casino does not provide these, you can file a complaint directly with iGaming Ontario at igamingontario.ca.
CasinoScout's responsible gambling standards
Every casino in our rankings is reviewed against a responsible gambling checklist before inclusion. We require:
Deposit limits available and clearly accessible in the account settings
Self-exclusion available with a permanent option
Links to at least one Canadian problem gambling support organisation
Age verification process for all new accounts
Clear display of the 19+ (or 18+ where applicable) age requirement
Problem gambling helpline number displayed in the casino interface
Casinos that do not meet these standards are not listed in our rankings, regardless of commission rates offered.
Keeping gambling safe — practical tips
Set a budget before you play — decide how much you can afford to lose, treat it as entertainment spend, and stop when it's gone
Never chase losses — every session is independent; past losses don't mean a win is due
Don't gamble when stressed or upset — emotional states are a known trigger for problem gambling patterns
Take regular breaks — use session time reminders or simply set a phone alarm
Keep gambling separate from drinking — alcohol impairs judgement and risk assessment
Balance gambling with other activities — if gambling is your primary leisure activity, consider diversifying
Talk to someone — problem gambling thrives in secrecy; speaking to a friend or counsellor is an effective first step