Responsible Gambling in Canada: Safety Tips

Responsible gaming is a core principle at Match.Center. Gaming should never interfere with your life or the lives of those around you. It is for entertainment, not for profit. That’s why we protect underage users and fight against excessive compulsive playing.

Here we offer tips to help you play safely and direct you to support if you need it. Find out how to stay in control, minimise your risks and access helpful organisations and resources in Canada.

Why We Support Responsible Play

Gambling addiction can have devastating effects on individuals and the people around them. Our goal is to make a positive contribution in this area. Here are some reasons why we advocate player-centred approaches in online betting:

Financial Difficulties. Problem bettors can accumulate debt rapidly and are much more likely to face serious financial difficulties compared to non-gamblers.
Problems at Work. Addiction often results in work-related issues, such as reduced productivity, theft, and even job loss.
Family Issues. Such problems can strain relationships with family and friends. Studies of pathological players also find high rates of marital discord, divorce or separation, and lower levels of family functioning.
Widespread Problem. According to recent research, approximately 300,000 Canadians (about 2% of men and 1% of women who wager) are at risk for gambling-related problems.
Youth at Risk. The Canadian Youth Gambling Survey found that 41.6% of adolescents (aged 13-19) had bet at least once, with a significant proportion showing problem gaming behaviours.

How To Play Responsibly?

People can play safely by using the tools available, setting deposit and spending limits, and controlling their betting. In Canada, casinos and bookmakers provide information on safe gambling, including risks and potential harm.

Rules of responsible gaming:

Set a time and financial limit for the game, do not overstep the limits
Expect to lose – the odds are against you and loss is part of the game
Do not bet on credit, and do not loan money to place a bet
If you play, be in good shape physically and mentally
Create balance in your life, do not prioritise gambling over family, job, friends and hobbies
Make sure you’re playing for fun

When wagering stops being fun and starts taking up a lot of your time, you need to take a break.

How to Spot Addiction

In compulsive behaviour, you continue chasing losses despite harmful consequences and disruptions to your life. Even if you know about responsible betting principles, recognising signs of problematic behaviour can be difficult.

Here are some signs to help you spot potential issues:

Assess Your Losses. Reflect on the financial and familial impacts of your gambling. Ongoing debt and family issues might signal an addiction.
Take Breaks. Spend a few days without betting. Difficulty staying away could indicate a problem.
Avoid Emotional Betting. Don’t wager when you’re emotional or under the influence of alcohol, as this can lead to reckless behaviour and poor decisions.
Monitor Your Habits. Track your gambling behaviour, including frequency and time spent. An increase in these areas can be a warning sign.

Where to Get Help

If you’ve recognised that you have an addiction, here are some organisations in Canada that can assist you. They offer support and resources to help you manage and overcome this challenge:

Problem Gambling Helplines. Different provinces have their hotlines, such as Ontario’s Problem Gambling Helpline, Alberta’s Addiction Helpline, etc. These services offer free 24/7 support 24/7, helping manage dependency.
Responsible Gambling Council (RGC). This independent non-profit organisation has been helping players since 1983. They can help you recognise addiction and find local help.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. It’s Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital, offering support, clinical services and resources for problem players.
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. The CCSA provides resources to help individuals and families affected by this problem. They offer confidential support via their website and helpline.

Responsible Gaming Tools

You can manage your gaming activities in Canada by using several tools and measures:

Limit-Setting Tools. Many online gaming sites in Canada offer tools to help you manage your activity. These include deposit, time and wager limits to help you manage your funds and play time according to your original plan.
Reality Checks. Some platforms provide reminders, which notify you of the time spent gambling at regular intervals, which helps you keep track of time.
Time-Outs. Temporary breaks between bets can be taken with time-outs, which remove players from the virtual world, forcing them to change activities and take a second look.
Payment Blocking. Banks and payment providers often offer to set restrictions that block transactions to the casino. It’s a technical hurdle that can be very effective if you’re trying to get even and can’t control your emotions.
Self-Exclusion Programmes. During a specific period, players can voluntarily exclude themselves from casinos, bookies, and other facilities.

Prohibition of Underage Gambling

The legal betting age in Canada varies by province and territory. Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec allow betting from the age of 18, while Ontario and others start from the age of 19.

Underage gambling is illegal and poses serious risks to young people. It’s crucial to keep children away from such activities to protect their well-being.

If you share a computer with underage family members or friends, consider using parental control filters like Net Nanny or Qustodio. These tools block access to online betting sites. Always log out of your accounts when not in use and use strong passwords. Educate your children about the dangers of wagering and monitor their online activities to ensure they do not visit betting platforms.