Gambling is legal, regulated, and available to Ontario residents aged 19 and over through iGaming Ontario’s licensed operator network. For most players most of the time it stays recreational. For some players at some points it does not.
This page covers the warning signs that gambling may have shifted from recreational to harmful, the tools available through iGO-licensed operators and the province itself, and where to get help if you or someone you know needs it.
If you need support right now, ConnexOntario is available free and confidentially 24 hours a day.
Phone: 1-866-531-2600 Website: connexontario.ca
Warning Signs
Problem gambling does not always look the way most people expect. It does not require daily play or large losses. It can develop gradually and look like recreational gambling from the outside long after it has stopped feeling recreational on the inside.
Warning signs worth paying attention to:
- Spending more than you planned — Consistently exceeding your session budget or depositing more after losing.
- Chasing losses — Continuing to play to recover money already lost rather than stopping at your planned limit.
- Gambling with money needed for other things — Using funds intended for bills, rent, food, or other commitments.
- Lying about gambling — Concealing how much time or money you spend gambling from people close to you.
- Gambling to escape — Using gambling as a primary way to deal with stress, anxiety, boredom, or difficult emotions.
- Difficulty stopping — Finding it hard to stop during a session even when you intended to, or finding it hard to take breaks between sessions.
- Preoccupation with gambling — Thinking about gambling frequently when not playing, planning the next session while still in the current one.
- Borrowing money to gamble — Taking on debt or borrowing from others to fund gambling activity.
Recognising one or more of these in yourself or someone you know is not a diagnosis. It is a signal worth taking seriously.
Getting Help
ConnexOntario
ConnexOntario is a free, confidential health services information service funded by the Government of Ontario. It connects people experiencing problems with alcohol, drugs, mental illness, or gambling to local services and support.
Phone: 1-866-531-2600 Website: connexontario.ca Available: 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
ConnexOntario does not provide direct counselling but connects callers to the right local service for their situation. It is the recommended first contact point for Ontario residents looking for gambling support.
iGaming Ontario Self-Exclusion
Ontario players can self-exclude from all iGO-licensed operators simultaneously through the iGaming Ontario self-exclusion program. A single self-exclusion through iGO removes access to every licensed platform in the province, not just one operator.
Self-exclusion is available at: igamingontario.ca
Self-exclusion periods and terms are set at the time of enrolment. Contact iGaming Ontario directly for information on the current program terms and how to enrol.
AGCO Responsible Gambling Resources
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario publishes responsible gambling resources and information about player protections available under Ontario’s regulatory framework. Available at: agco.ca
Tools Available on iGO-Licensed Operators
Every iGO-licensed operator in Ontario is required by the AGCO to offer the following responsible gambling tools. If you cannot find these on your operator’s platform, that is worth noting.
Deposit Limits Daily, weekly, and monthly caps on how much you can deposit. Set before you play rather than after a session has already run over budget. Limits take effect immediately when reduced and have a cooling-off period when increased to prevent impulsive changes.
Session Time Limits Caps on how long you can remain active in a single session. The session ends automatically when the limit is reached. Useful for players who find it difficult to stop once in a session.
Cooling-Off Periods Temporary account restrictions lasting from 24 hours to several weeks. The account remains open but real-money play is suspended for the duration. Useful for players who want a break without committing to full self-exclusion.
Self-Exclusion Permanent or long-term account closure on a specific operator. Can also be done province-wide through iGaming Ontario to remove access to all licensed operators simultaneously.
Reality Checks Periodic reminders during a session showing time played and net session result. These prompts appear at set intervals and give players a moment to reassess whether they want to continue.
How to Find These Tools
On most iGO-licensed operators, responsible gambling tools are in account settings under a section labelled responsible gambling, player protection, or similar. If you cannot find them within two or three clicks from your account menu, use the operator’s live chat to ask where they are.
MaxSpinz notes how accessible responsible gambling tools are on each operator in the review scoring. Operators that surface these tools prominently during onboarding score higher than those that bury them in account settings.
Compare Ontario Operators on Responsible Gambling Tools
Talking to Someone You Are Worried About
If you are concerned about someone else’s gambling rather than your own, the approach matters as much as the conversation.
A few practical points:
- Choose a calm moment. Conversations about gambling problems are more productive when neither person is in the middle of a crisis or immediately after a significant loss.
- Use specific observations rather than accusations. Saying you have noticed they seem stressed after gambling sessions is more likely to open a conversation than saying they have a problem.
- Avoid ultimatums as a first step. They tend to close conversations rather than open them.
- Point to resources rather than prescribing solutions. Sharing the ConnexOntario number (1-866-531-2600) gives the person a resource to use in their own time rather than a directive.
- Look after yourself too. Supporting someone with a gambling problem is difficult. ConnexOntario can also connect family members and friends of people experiencing gambling problems to relevant support services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is ConnexOntario?
ConnexOntario is a free, confidential health services information service funded by the Government of Ontario. It connects people experiencing problems with alcohol, drugs, mental illness, or gambling to local support services. Available 24 hours a day at 1-866-531-2600 or connexontario.ca.
How Do I Self-Exclude from All Ontario Online Casinos at Once?
Through the iGaming Ontario self-exclusion program at igamingontario.ca. A single enrolment removes access to all iGO-licensed operators in the province simultaneously. Contact iGaming Ontario directly for current program terms and enrolment information.
Can I Set Deposit Limits on Ontario Online Casinos?
Yes. Every iGO-licensed operator is required to offer deposit limits. They are typically found in account settings under responsible gambling or player protection. Limits can be set daily, weekly, or monthly. Reductions take effect immediately. Increases have a cooling-off period.
Does MaxSpinz Promote Gambling?
MaxSpinz covers Ontario’s regulated iGaming market for adults aged 19 and over who choose to participate in it. The site provides information, reviews, and tools to help players make informed decisions. It does not promote gambling to people who do not already participate, does not encourage excessive play, and does not publish bonus-chasing content. Responsible gambling information is linked from every page on the site.
ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 | connexontario.ca iGaming Ontario Self-Exclusion: igamingontario.ca AGCO Responsible Gambling: agco.ca
Must be 19+ to gamble in Ontario. Gambling can be addictive. Please play responsibly.
Last Reviewed: 2026-05-01 | Reviewed by: MaxSpinz