Responsible Gaming

At bettingca.org, our mission is to ensure your safety while you enjoy online gaming. We aim to provide you with the best experiences at the top casinos available in Canada. However, we also recognize the importance of maintaining control over your gaming habits to avoid any negative impact on your life. To help you gamble responsibly, we’ve compiled some useful tools, information, tips, and resources below.

What is Responsible Gaming?

Responsible gaming is about enjoying gambling as a form of entertainment while taking steps to prevent the potential development of gambling addiction. It involves setting and adhering to personal limits to maintain control over your gaming. By doing so, you can prevent financial and emotional stress caused by excessive gambling. Playing for fun within your budget means you can afford to lose the money you wager if things don’t go your way.

However, if gambling stops being enjoyable, if you lose control, feel depressed, face financial difficulties, lie about how much you play, chase losses, or experience other negative feelings related to gambling, these are signs of gambling addiction, and you should seek help immediately.

Tips for Responsible Gaming in Canada

Whether you prefer to gamble online, on your mobile device, in person at a casino or bingo hall, or elsewhere, the following tips can help you reduce the risk of developing a gambling problem.

Set a Budget and Stick to It

Properly planning your budget is one of the most important steps you can take for responsible gaming. Review your income and expenses to determine how much you can afford to spend and potentially lose on gambling each week or month. Stick to this limit.

Don’t Chase Your Losses

Never try to win back lost money by gambling more. This is a sure way to lose even more. If you’ve set a budget as advised, adhere to it. Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.

Take Breaks from Gambling

If you find yourself gambling more than you intended or feeling stressed or anxious about how much you’re spending, take a break. A few days or even a week away from gambling can help clear your mind and reassess your habits, benefiting both your mental health and finances. If a break doesn’t help, consider using self-exclusion services to protect yourself, and seek professional counseling if needed.

Know the Odds

Always be aware of the odds when gambling. The odds are always against you, so don’t expect to win every time you play.

Don’t Gamble When Emotional

Avoid gambling when you’re angry, sad, or stressed. This can lead to poor and risky decisions, potentially causing more significant problems. If you’re not feeling your best, wait until you’re calm and focused before playing.

Don’t Gamble Under the Influence

Alcohol, prescription drugs, and recreational substances (legal or not) alter your state of mind, making you prone to poor decisions. This is particularly dangerous when gambling, as you need to be fully aware and capable of making sound choices while playing. Always give yourself time to recover from any substance use before gambling.

Seek Help if You’re Struggling

If you’re finding it difficult to manage your current gambling habits, there’s no shame in seeking help. Numerous resources are available, all free from judgment. In most countries or provinces with legalized gambling, there are various organizations and services offering support to anyone who may be at risk of developing a gambling problem.

9 Signs of Gambling Addiction for You and Your Loved Ones

Gambling addiction can happen to anyone, especially if gambling isn’t done responsibly. If you, a friend, or a family member is heavily involved in gambling and you’re concerned about potential issues, our list below should help you identify possible signs and symptoms:

1. Preoccupation with Gambling: Constantly thinking about gambling, planning your day around it, or making excuses to gamble.
2. Need to Bet Larger Amounts for the Same Thrill: This is known as tolerance. Starting with small bets but needing to wager increasingly larger amounts to get the same excitement.
3. Unsuccessful Attempts to Control or Stop Gambling: Struggling to quit gambling despite promises to yourself or others to stop.
4. Restlessness or Irritability When Trying to Cut Down: Experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and irritability when not gambling.
5. Gambling to Escape Problems or Relieve Negative Feelings: Using gambling as a way to cope with tough emotions or situations.
6. Chasing Losses: Betting more money to recover losses, leading to a destructive cycle of greater losses.
7. Lying to Conceal Gambling: Hiding the extent of gambling, the money lost, or where you’ve been.
8. Risking or Losing Important Relationships or Opportunities: Gambling interfering with work, school, or relationships.
9. Asking Others to Bail You Out of Financial Trouble: Borrowing money to cover gambling losses or maxing out credit cards to continue gambling.

Getting Professional Help for Gambling Addiction in Canada

Self-exclusion and blocking tools are crucial for managing gambling addiction, but seeking professional help is another essential part of responsible gaming. Expert assistance from trained professionals can help identify gambling problems and offer treatment options tailored to your needs.

To help you take the first step in finding help, we’ve collaborated with addiction specialists Aaron Sternlicht, LMHC, CASAC, and Lynn Anderson, LMHC, MA, Ed.M., to create an expert guide on gambling addiction. While this guide is not a substitute for speaking with someone in person or over the phone, it can support you on your journey to receiving the personal help and advice you need.

When you’re ready for more personalized advice and one-on-one support, a wide range of help and support options is available in most countries with regulated gambling industries. Canada is no exception, offering a variety of hotlines and professional counseling services at both the national and provincial levels.

To help you find the support you need, we’ve listed some of the most helpful resources below:

Responsible Gambling Council (RGC)

The Responsible Gambling Council Canada (RGC) is a nonprofit organization focused on reducing gambling-related risks through innovation, awareness, and improved safety measures. They offer various resources, including information on responsible gambling, help for problem gamblers, and training for gambling industry professionals. While they don’t provide therapy or services directly, they work to connect you with those who do.

• Website: https://www.responsiblegambling.org/
• Phone: +1 (416) 499-9800

Gambling Therapy at Gordon Moody

Gambling Therapy, provided by Gordon Moody, is a global and multilingual online resource for those struggling with gambling-related issues. They offer various tools and resources, including self-assessment, therapy resources, and a forum where people can connect with others facing similar challenges.

• Website: https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/
• Email: [email protected]

ConnexOntario

ConnexOntario is a government-funded organization that provides support for those struggling with gambling addiction in Ontario. They offer various services, including individual and group counseling, financial assistance, and referrals to other resources.

• Website: https://www.connexontario.ca/en-ca/
• Phone: 1-866-531-2600

Gamtalk

Gamtalk is an online resource created by a community for people struggling with gambling problems. They offer information on responsible gambling, expert interviews, and stories from those who have overcome gambling issues, with community features and chat options.

• Website: https://www.gamtalk.org/
• Chat: https://www.gamtalk.org/online-chat/

Gam-Anon

Gam-Anon is a support group for friends and family members of problem gamblers. They offer a safe and confidential space where people can share their experiences and receive support from others who understand what they’re going through.

• Website: https://www.gam-anon.org/
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 718-352-1671

Gambling Support Network

The Gambling Support Network is a bilingual national organization that provides support to those struggling with gambling-related issues. They offer various services, including individual and group counseling, financial assistance, and referrals to other resources.

• Website: https://gamblingsupportnetwork.ca/
• Phone: 1-888-347-8888
• Text: Text “GSN” to 1-902-700-7702

Gamblers Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous has been providing support to those struggling with gambling addiction since their first meeting in Los Angeles, California, in 1957. Their world-renowned program offers various resources, including meetings, phone support, and virtual support.

• Website: https://gamblersanonymous.org/ga/