Responsible Gambling Help Across Canada
Find the right phone line and self-exclusion route for each province and territory. The scope matters because an online account block does not always cover a casino venue.
Call or text 988
Call or text 988 if gambling losses or another situation has left you thinking about suicide. Call 911 when there is immediate danger.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week across Canada
Open 988 crisis support (opens in a new tab)Choose Your Province or Territory
Each card separates the local help line from the self-exclusion route. Call the help line if you are unsure which program or scope applies.
British Columbia
PlayNow is British Columbia's government-operated online casino, sportsbook and lottery account.
British Columbia Lottery Corporation
Gambling Support BC
Free, confidential support is available for the person gambling and for family members.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
One enrolment covers online and venues
Game Break
One Game Break enrolment blocks PlayNow and BC gambling facilities with slot machines, commercial bingo halls and other listed BCLC gambling locations.
The program covers BCLC gambling. It does not block unrelated gambling websites outside BCLC's system.
Alberta
Alberta's regulated online market includes AiGC-authorized private operators and PlayAlberta.
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis and Alberta iGaming Corporation
Alberta Addiction Helpline
The helpline provides support, screening, information and referrals for addiction concerns, including problem gambling.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Choose online, venues or both
Alberta Self-Exclusion Program
Choose all registered iGaming platforms, all land-based casinos and racing entertainment centres, or both scopes together.
PlayAlberta coverage under the registered-iGaming option is unknown.
- PlayAlberta coverage under the registered-iGaming self-exclusion option: unknown.
Saskatchewan
PlayNow is Saskatchewan's only legal online casino and sportsbook. It is operated by SIGA with BCLC as the service provider.
Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority
Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Helpline
Trained counsellors provide immediate support, short-term counselling and referrals across Saskatchewan.
Phone support is available 24 hours a day; text support is available daily from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Casino enrolment links both scopes
Saskatchewan Voluntary Self-Exclusion
Casino enrolment excludes the participant from all Saskatchewan casinos and PlayNow. PlayNow also offers direct account self-exclusion.
Starting self-exclusion inside PlayNow does not automatically create a land-based casino exclusion. Use a casino or SIGA enrolment route when both scopes are needed.
Manitoba
Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries operates PlayNow for Manitoba residents, using BCLC as its service provider.
Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries
Manitoba Gambling Helpline
The provincial helpline is the direct phone route for gambling concerns in Manitoba.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Open Manitoba gambling support (opens in a new tab)Choose online, venues or both
Manitoba Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program
Choose Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries premises, PlayNow, or both. PlayNow-only enrolment is completed inside the account.
A PlayNow-only exclusion does not create the premises exclusion unless both scopes are selected through the program.
Ontario
Ontario's legal online route includes private operators in the provincial market and OLG.ca.
iGaming Ontario, AGCO and Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
ConnexOntario
ConnexOntario connects people anywhere in Ontario with gambling treatment and related mental health or addiction services.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Online and venue routes are separate
BetGuard and My PlayBreak
BetGuard blocks every regulated Ontario online gambling site and app, including OLG.ca. OLG My PlayBreak is the separate route for land-based casinos and charitable gaming centres.
BetGuard does not cover Ontario land-based casinos. Use My PlayBreak when a land-based exclusion is needed.
Quebec
Loto-Québec conducts the province's government online casino, poker, bingo, sports and lottery products.
Loto-Québec
Gambling: Help and Referral
Bilingual counsellors provide support and referrals for the person gambling and for people close to them.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Online and venue routes are separate
Loto-Québec self-exclusion
Online-only self-exclusion blocks lotoquebec.com. Enrolment for casinos and gaming halls also blocks the online account.
Online-only self-exclusion does not block entry to casinos or gaming halls. Choose the location-based program when both scopes are needed.
New Brunswick
Atlantic Lottery operates New Brunswick's government online gambling account. Land-based casinos use separate provincial and operator controls.
Atlantic Lottery Corporation on behalf of New Brunswick
New Brunswick Gambling Information Line
A health professional can discuss the concern and connect the caller with community addiction and mental health services.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Online and venue routes are separate
Atlantic Lottery online self-exclusion and casino programs
The self-exclusion control inside alc.ca suspends the Atlantic Lottery account. New Brunswick casinos run separate venue programs.
Online and venue exclusions require separate action. Shared coverage between Casino New Brunswick and Grey Rock Casino: unknown.
- Shared land-based exclusion across Casino New Brunswick and Grey Rock Casino: unknown.
Nova Scotia
Atlantic Lottery operates Nova Scotia's government online gambling account. Casino Nova Scotia is the separate land-based casino route.
Atlantic Lottery Corporation on behalf of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions
Provincial intake connects residents with gambling counselling and recovery services. Use the separate crisis line for an urgent mental health or addiction crisis.
Treatment intake is open weekdays, with extended hours Tuesday and Thursday. The crisis line is open 24 hours a day.
Open Nova Scotia gambling support (opens in a new tab)Online and venue routes are separate
Atlantic Lottery online self-exclusion and Nova Scotia casino exclusion
The provincial casino form covers Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax and Sydney. The alc.ca account has its own online self-exclusion control.
Use both routes if you need the alc.ca account and Casino Nova Scotia venues blocked.
Prince Edward Island
Atlantic Lottery operates PEI's online gambling account, including casino games. Red Shores operates the province's land-based casino and racing venues.
Atlantic Lottery Corporation on behalf of Prince Edward Island
PEI Gambling Support Line
A trained professional can provide immediate support and connect callers with counselling, recovery groups and other PEI services.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Online and venue routes are separate
Atlantic Lottery online self-exclusion and Red Shores Break in Play
The alc.ca account has an online self-exclusion control. Red Shores uses its own Break in Play program for the Charlottetown and Summerside gambling venues.
Use both routes if you need the alc.ca account and Red Shores venues blocked.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Atlantic Lottery operates the province's regulated online casino and lottery account. There is no provincial land-based casino product.
Atlantic Lottery Corporation on behalf of Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador 811
Call 811 for free, confidential gambling information and support anywhere in the province.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Online account only
Atlantic Lottery online self-exclusion
The self-exclusion control inside alc.ca suspends the Atlantic Lottery account for the selected term.
Centralized coverage for retail lottery sales and VLT play: unknown.
- Centralized VLT and retail-lottery self-exclusion route: unknown.
Yukon
Yukon's regulated route includes WCLC retail lottery products, Diamond Tooth Gerties and licensed charitable casino events. Current online casino route: unknown.
Government of Yukon, Lotteries Yukon and authorized non-profit operators
Canadian Mental Health Association Yukon gambling support
Lotteries Yukon directs people with gambling concerns to the Canadian Mental Health Association of Yukon.
Reach Out Support is open 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.; counselling services are open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Open Yukon gambling support (opens in a new tab)Online and venue routes are separate
Diamond Tooth Gerties Voluntary Self-Exclusion
Diamond Tooth Gerties offers a venue-specific voluntary self-exclusion program.
The venue program does not create a territory-wide block for WCLC retail lottery products or other licensed gambling events.
- Current online casino route: unknown.
- Territory-wide self-exclusion for WCLC retail lottery products: unknown.
Northwest Territories
The territory offers WCLC lottery products and licenses charitable casino events through MACA or delegated community governments. Current online casino route: unknown.
Municipal and Community Affairs, delegated community governments and Western Canada Lottery Corporation
NWT 811 Mental Health and Wellness Support Line
Registered nurses provide mental wellness and addiction recovery support and can direct callers to services in their region. The line is not gambling-specific.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Centralized route: unknown
Centralized self-exclusion coverage for NWT lottery products and licensed charitable casino events is unknown.
Current online casino route: unknown. Licensed charitable casino events are temporary rather than one permanent casino network.
Centralized enrolment action: unknown.
- Current online casino route: unknown.
- Territory-wide self-exclusion for WCLC retail lottery products and licensed charitable casino events: unknown.
Nunavut
Nunavut licenses charitable and religious lottery events and participates in WCLC lottery products. Current online casino route: unknown.
Nunavut Consumer Affairs and Western Canada Lottery Corporation
Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line
Anonymous support is available at any time. This is a general mental wellness and crisis service, not a dedicated gambling line.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Open Nunavut help and support (opens in a new tab)Centralized route: unknown
Centralized self-exclusion coverage for WCLC lottery products and licensed community lottery events is unknown.
Ask the event organizer about venue-specific restrictions, and use the help line for support with practical access and payment blocks.
Centralized enrolment action: unknown.
- Current online casino route: unknown.
- Territory-wide minimum age for licensed charitable casino events: unknown.
- Centralized self-exclusion for WCLC lottery products and licensed community lottery events: unknown.
Casino and Lottery Ages Are Product-Specific
Online casino play is 18+ in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, and 19+ in the other seven provinces. Retail lottery ages can differ.
The full age table separates online casinos, casino floors and retail lottery products across all 13 provinces and territories. Missing routes and Nunavut event-specific rules remain explicit.
Legal gambling age tableOntario casino profiles also have a separate public RG Check status. Exact listings, non-public listings and unresolved product names remain distinct.
Ontario RG Check directorySelf-Exclusion Is Not One Canada-Wide Switch
The practical result depends on where you enrol and whether the program covers online accounts, physical venues, or both.
One province at a time
Enrolling in one province does not enrol you in another province or territory. Repeat the process anywhere else you hold an account or visit a venue.
Online and venues can be separate
Ontario, Quebec, the Atlantic provinces and Yukon use different online and venue relationships. Check the exact card above before assuming both are covered.
Add provider and payment blocks
Where no centralized program is listed, ask each provider for an account or venue block and ask your bank about blocking gambling transactions.
Ontario and Alberta program terms
Compare term lengths, account balances, open wagers and the direct provincial enrolment steps.
Deposit, loss and time controls can help before a full account or venue block is needed. Compare the exact periods and change rules in the casino limit guide.
Signs That Gambling Is Causing Harm
One sign is enough to pause. Several signs make it more important to stop access to gambling and speak with someone.
What to notice
- Spending more money or time than you planned.
- Chasing losses by increasing the next bet.
- Borrowing money, missing bills or selling things to keep gambling.
- Hiding gambling activity or losses from people close to you.
- Gambling to get away from stress, boredom or a low mood.
- Trying to stop or cut back and not being able to.
What to do today
- 1Leave the gambling site or venue before trying to win anything back.
- 2Move bill and household money to an account that is not used for gambling.
- 3Set a bank gambling block if your financial institution offers one.
- 4Remove saved payment methods and gambling apps from your devices.
- 5Call the service for your province or territory and ask about the next practical step.
Responsible Gambling in Canada: FAQ
Direct answers on provincial help, self-exclusion scope and urgent support.