Responsible Gaming

If you Gamble, know the risks.

All types of gambling come with risk. Understand how to protect yourself, and if you need it, what to do and where to turn for help.

From online games to charity lotteries to slot machines – all gambling has risk. Whether you win or lose, it can be difficult to spot the risks while you are playing.

For most gambling is an entertaining pastime, however for some, it can become a problem that impacts their health, finances or relationships. Everyone’s experience with gambling is different but we have the tools to help you build a plan to manage the risks, whether it’s for you or someone you care about.

How Gambling works

Get research-backed facts about gambling, understand popular gambling terms, myths, get answers to your frequently asked questions and more. The more you know about how gambling works, the better equipped you’ll be to make informed decisions about your own gambling, or to speak to your loved ones about their gambling.

What is Gambling?

Gambling happens when you play any game of chance or skill, in which you stake something valuable that has potential for a prize win.

Often, people who gamble risk money in hopes of winning a greater sum of money. For example, you might risk the cost of a lottery ticket for the chance at winning a large multimillion-dollar jackpot.

When we think about gambling, often places like casinos or racetracks come to mind, but gambling occurs in other places too, like gas stations, church halls, at sporting events and on the Internet.

Common forms of Gambling include:

Lottery games like LOTTO 6/49 or LOTTO MAX
Instant games like scratch cards
Bingo games and Nevada tickets
Sports betting
Dice games
Casino games like slot machines and table games
Card games
Horse Racing
Video lottery terminals

Why do people Gamble?

It’s easy to think about gambling as being all about the possibility of winning money. But people gamble for different reasons. In fact, some people gamble to alleviate stress; others to take their minds off their problems or socialize with friends. When people gamble, it triggers feelings of euphoria, linked to the brain’s reward system.

A report published in International Gambling Studies has shown that popular motives for why people gamble include mood change and the dream of achieving a jackpot win. Games have the power to change the moods of players (Per Binde, 2013). Other reasons include social rewards and intellectual challenge (ibid.).

And while gambling can trigger feelings of excitement and euphoria, it’s important to remember that all forms of gambling are inherently risky. Every time a person chooses to gamble, they risk losing. For that reason, it’s best to think of gambling as a form of entertainment and not a way to make money. If you gamble, find out how you can play more safely and protect yourself from harm.

What does safer play look like?

Understand the inherent risk of gambling, recognize the signs of risky behaviour, assess your gambling habits, get tips on how to talk to your kids about gambling and more.

What Is Safer Gambling?

Learn the low-risk strategies that can help keep gambling safe and fun.

Safer gambling means you’re using low-risk strategies when you gamble, like sticking to a budget when you play. If you’re unsure about whether or not your habits are leading you down a risky path, consider the questions below. If you answer “no” to any of them, you might be exhibiting signs of a problem.

Are you a safe Gambler?

Do you consider gambling just one of many recreational activities you pursue?
Do your bets stay within the limits of what you can afford? Are they reasonable and calculated?
Do you find it easy to stop gambling?
Do you realize that winning can be fun, but it isn’t everything?
Do you recognize that losing can be disappointing, but it isn’t everything?
Do you understand that your chances of winning are often very small?

Characteristics of safer Gambling

People who use safer gambling strategies typically think of gambling as just one form of entertainment. They factor gambling into their household budget by setting spending limits and sticking to them. They don’t expect to win back money they’ve lost, nor do they think of gambling as a way to earn money. It’s important to remember that all gambling activities have risk and to enjoy safer gambling, you must be aware of the risks and how you can minimize them.

Tips for safer Gambling

Learn strategies for playing safe and reducing potential harms. Take a safer approach to Gambling How to take precautions from the risks of gambling (especially online).

Safer Gambling tips

Unlike a night in streaming movies, there’s an inherent built-in risk when it comes to gambling and odds are, over time, you will lose more often than you win. Here are some strategies you can use to play safe and have fun.

Don’t gamble when you’re upset or stressed
Limit your alcohol and/or cannabis intake while gambling
Know how the games work before you wager
Set budget and time limits – there are tools available on many slot machines, mobile and internet gambling sites to help you monitor your play
Take frequent breaks – move around, get some fresh air, have something to eat or a coffee
Only gamble with money you have – never borrow money or use money intended for necessities, like rent or food
Don’t try to win back what you’ve lost
Gambling is not a way to make money so don’t think of it as a chance to win money for a trip, to pay bills or to pay off debt
Stick to your budget by leaving your credit and debit cards at home
Balance gambling with other recreational activities
If you’re no longer having fun, stop playing
Don’t depend on “good luck” strategies – they don’t increase your chances of winning

Get help for a Gambling problem

Get advice on changing gambling behaviour, how to speak to a loved one about their gambling or where to find support or a treatment centre near you. If you or someone you care about is exhibiting risky behaviour, help is available.

Making a Change

Changing problem gambling behaviour is possible. And, you don’t have to do it alone. Find tips and resources to get you started.

Changing any behaviour, like changing how you gamble, isn’t always easy. Thankfully, you’re not alone. There are steps you can take to support change and increase your chances of success. Here are a few things you can do to begin to break your habit.

1. Talk to someone

Admitting you’re struggling makes your struggle real. And when it becomes real, you can start to tackle your problem. Reach out to someone. Anyone. A friend or family member, a counsellor, an online peer support group, or even your physician. Talking about your feelings can help you strengthen your commitment to change. And, it will help you see that you’re not alone.

2. Accept your losses

If you lose money, trying to win it back will only send you over budget. That’s because playing to win back losses usually leads to even bigger losses. Accept them and walk away.

3. Protect your finances

Leave your credit and debit cards at home. Limit the amount of cash you have access to, set a daily withdrawal limit, or set up a co-signer for withdrawals. Some people go as far as destroying debit cards or personal cheque books, to remove temptation.

4. Block online Gambling websites

Adding gambling sites to your browsers restricted/red flag list will help you take control. Chrome and Firefox have extensions available that block websites. BetBlocker and GamBan are effective software programs that are designed to block online gambling sites and apps.

5. Practice self-exclusion

Self-exclusion is a tool you can use to take a break from gambling. It’s a program you enter voluntarily with an online or land-based gambling operator. You agree not to gamble for a chosen time. In Ontario, OLG’s Self-Exclusion program, My PlayBreak, is entirely confidential. No one will know about your decision to register for My PlayBreak apart from you, the program administrators, and anyone you choose to tell.