Help
Gambling help: provincial lines and self-bans
File date · sources re-read
A casino hotel weekend is supposed to be a treat. If the betting has stopped being fun, each province in the table runs a free, confidential service that answers at any hour.
| Province | Min. age | Self-ban scheme | Free line | Regulated by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 19 | OLG's My PlayBreak — terms of three months to five years, all Ontario gaming sites | ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600 staffed day and night; text line CONNEX at 247247 | Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario |
| Québec | 18 | Loto-Québec contract — three months to five years; once signed it cannot be revoked | Gambling: Help and Referral 1-800-461-0140 confidential, free of charge, at any hour | Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux |
| British Columbia | 19 | BCLC's Game Break — terms of six months to three years | Gambling Support BC 1-888-795-6111 free line, round the clock | Independent Gambling Control Office |
| Alberta | 18 | AGLC scheme: half a year minimum, three years maximum; covers PlayAlberta.ca and all casinos in Alberta | Addiction Helpline of Alberta Health Services 1-866-332-2322 round the clock | Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis |
| Manitoba | 18 | Voluntary Self-Exclusion — signer chooses the Winnipeg casinos, Shark Club, PlayNow.com, or several | Gambling Helpline 1-800-463-1554 round the clock | Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba |
| New Brunswick | 19 | Voluntary Self-Exclusion, handled by Great Canadian Entertainment | Gambling Information Line 1-800-461-1234 free and confidential; TTY | Gaming Control Branch of the provincial Department of Justice and Public Safety |
Rules of thumb
- Pick a spending limit before you check in, and leave the cards in the safe.
- Decide how long you'll play — casino floors don't have clocks.
- Losses are gone; don't chase them.
- Step away from the floor regularly — the pool, the spa and the showroom exist for exactly that.
Each province also offers a self-ban scheme — the casino age and rules guide has the details.