Gambling responsibly
Last updated · facts verified
A casino escape should be a good time. When gambling stops being one, help is free, confidential and open day and night in every province below.
| Province | Age | Regulator | Helpline | Self-exclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 19+ | Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) | ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600 (around the clock; or text CONNEX to 247247) | OLG My PlayBreak: pick 3 months up to 5 years; every Ontario casino |
| Québec | 18+ | Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ) | Gambling: Help and Referral 1-800-461-0140 (any hour; free; confidential) | Loto-Québec self-exclusion: 3 months–5 years; no revoking it once signed |
| British Columbia | 19+ | Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO) | Gambling Support BC 1-888-795-6111 (24/7, no charge) | BCLC Game Break: six months to three years |
| Alberta | 18+ | Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) | Alberta Health Services Addiction Helpline 1-866-332-2322 (open 24/7) | AGLC Self-Exclusion: 6 months–3 years; all Alberta casinos plus PlayAlberta.ca |
| Manitoba | 18+ | Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA) | Gambling Helpline 1-800-463-1554 (open 24/7) | Voluntary Self-Exclusion: Casinos of Winnipeg, Shark Club and/or PlayNow.com |
| New Brunswick | 19+ | Gaming Control Branch, Department of Justice and Public Safety | Gambling Information Line 1-800-461-1234 (confidential; free; TTY) | Voluntary Self-Exclusion, set up via Great Canadian Entertainment |
Rules worth keeping
- Fix a spending limit before the trip, and lock your bank cards in the room safe.
- Decide when you'll stop — there are no clocks on a gaming floor, deliberately.
- Losses are the cost of the night; chasing them only makes that cost bigger.
- Step away often. The pool, the spa and the show are part of the escape.
All provinces run voluntary self-exclusion; see the age and rules guide for how it works.