Gambling Laws and Regulation in Canada

Gambling has been a popular activity in Canada for hundreds of years, and on a local level, it’s strictly regulated by each and every province. But there’s one inevitable phenomenon that’s been changing the gambling landscape recently – the rise of online gambling sites.

The regulations on online gambling in Canada don’t seem to be entirely clear-cut.

カナダのカジノ has set out to examine the situation to be able to give readers an overview of the current online gambling market in CA.

The Legalization of Gambling in Canada

Prior to the 1970s, Gambling in Canada was completely illegal on the grounds of immorality.

The Criminal Code was then amended in 1969 to give provinces the option to run public lotteries as a way of funding various events, such as the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.

In 1985, provinces were given more rights to authorize various forms of gambling, and over the years, they started to organize lotteries and authorize slot machines.

Bingo was made legal in 1900, followed by betting on horse racing, which was legalized in 1910.

This gradual legalization of various forms of gambling eventually led to a number of land-based casinos opening their doors and also gave rise to numerous sports betting shops.

Gambling has since flourished particularly in Ontario and Alberta – the former currently has the largest number of gambling establishments in the country, including the renowned Caesars Windsor Casino, whose renovation and rebranding cost almost half a billion dollars.

Although some casinos are owned by private entities, the Canadian government still owns several land-based casinos.

Online Gambling Today

When it comes to online gambling, so far it is illegal for a company to run a gambling site or mobile casino unless it has the approval of the government.

However, the Canadian Government does not grant companies a license to operate online gambling sites (unless the operator is located in Kahnawake).

Current legislation has been at the heart of various controversies over the last few years. Where online gambling is concerned there are several grey areas which question gambling legality in Canada.

However, there is no law governing overseas companies that are targeting Canadian players, and this opens up several opportunities – Canadian players can still find a legal and safe online casino that’s located elsewhere and gamble with peace of mind!

However, since provinces were granted the power to make certain decisions, every province can legalize specific types of gambling that can be “operated on or through a computer.”

This makes it sound that online gambling is regulated by each individual province.

In fact, some of the provinces do operate their own online casinos and Canadians can also buy lottery tickets online.

But since it stands to each and every province to grant licenses, regulations might defer from region to region.

Let’s take a look at each individual province and its take on Canadian Online Gambling laws.

Quebec – Loto-Québec

The Quebec provincial government has tried on several occasions to state that online gambling with offshore casinos is illegal, however, the actual law is ambiguous. 

Loto-Quebec is in charge of issuing licenses and regulating gaming providers in Quebec, including their own online casino Espacejeux.com

Charging an offshore operator with no physical presence in the region of illegal activity falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government, however, the current Criminal Code will have to be amended to allow for such a case to be pursued. 

The situation is rather hazy, but there seems to be no law to prohibit Canadian players from playing at an international online casino.

Espacejeux.com

The gambling industry in Quebec has been monopolized by Loto-Quebec’s online gambling site Espacejeux.com for a number of years. 

The online gambling site provides the local residents of Quebec with a variety of gambling games like lottery tickets, sports betting, casino games that include slots, table games and even a Live Casino, bingo and poker. 

This site also provides a list of land-based casinos owned by Loto-Quebec. 

For residents of Quebec it offers everything they might need in terms of gambling opportunities, however, when compared with offshore online casinos, variety is rather limited.

The Kahnawake Gaming Commission

Based on the Indian reserve within the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake in Quebec, The Kahnawake Gaming Commission is a regulatory body that monitors the compliance of legislation within the territory.

It is responsible for granting licenses to online poker, casino, and sportsbook providers who cater to the rest of Canada.

Since Kahnawake is deemed to be a sovereign nation, casinos in this territory are not subject to Canadian laws, but they are still required to meet certain criteria in order to be granted a license from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

Check out a few Canadian casinos we recommend to players that each hold a license from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, making them some of the safest sites to play on in the country!

  1. Winstoria
  2. LuckyElf
  3. Spin247
  4. iBet

Ontario – Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation

2019 marked the beginning of change in the Ontario Gambling laws with the introduction of a new blueprint that is set to regulate gambling with offshore companies and end the monopoly currently held by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. 

Online gambling is by no means illegal, especially as the OLG runs its own online gambling site, PlayOLG.

What is OLG?

Launched in 2015 and regulated by the Ontario Lottery and Gambling Corporation, OLG is available in both English and French and features games by the well-established providers IGT, Bally Technologies and Boss Media

Residents of Ontario can play various online casino games as well as purchase lottery tickets and check lottery numbers, either from their desktop computer or from their hand-held devices. 

First-time players can also benefit from an interesting welcome package at OLG and a customer support team is available 24/7 via live chat, phone and email. 

With regards to security, all games are tested by the Ontario Lottery and Gambling corporation’s technicians for fairness, and players’ personal details and payment methods are protected. 

Although OLG does not offer the vast selection of games one finds at an offshore online casino, it has everything to make it competitive.  

In fact, it is incredibly popular with the locals and has been quite successful. 

British Columbia –British Columbia Lottery Corporation

Gambling in British Columbia is regulated by the British Columbia Lottery Corp. 

In 1986, it made history by offering the first online lottery game. Ever since then, they’ve expanded with the launch of their own online casino Playnow.com in 2004. 

According to the British Colombia Gaming Control Act, the British Columbia Lottery Corp, has the responsibility to regulate all gambling including online, however, it does not specify if international online casinos fall under this category. 

Instead another part of the ACT states that with the government’s approval, British Colombia could start licensing offshore operators.

Playnow.com

Playnow.com offers a variety of gambling activities to its players, from lottery, keno, slot games, table games, a Live Casino, sports betting and bingo. 

This online casino is open to both the residents of British Columbia and the residents of Manitoba. 

Although it offers all types of gambling activities, just like OLG and Espacejeux.com, variety is limited when compared to an offshore casino. 

Manitoba – The Manitoba Gambling Laws

Regulated by the Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba, this province entered into an agreement with British Colombia in 2012 to allow its residents to play at the British Colombia online casino: Playnow.com. 

With regards to offshore online casinos, there is no law that regulates or bans these casino sites.

Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan Gambling Laws 

Saskatchewan falls in that ‘grey area’ just like the rest of Canada. Gambling laws in Saskatchewan relate to providers that are located in Saskatchewan and the provincial government has no power to pursue offshore casinos. 

On the other hand, only by changing constitutional law can the Federal Government take action.

With the current legislation, online gambling is not exactly legal, but it is not illegal either.

Alberta – Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis

Regulated by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC), the province was considering iGaming regulation back in 2015 to diversify revenue streams, but nothing came of it. 

Finally in 2020, the commission launched its own site PlayAlberta.ca

Under current legislation, the province cannot issue any license for online gambling companies who wish to open an office within Alberta. 

Current regulation exists only for already licensed operators within the province, thus offshore casinos are not subject to Alberta’s laws. 

And since the constitutional law is not clear about gambling with international companies, playing with an online casino is neither legal nor illegal. 

PlayAlberta.ca

Launched by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission, in October of 2020, it is the newest online casino managed by a provincial government.

The platform offers numerous casino games, amongst which online slots, a handful of virtual table games, live tables by Evolution Gaming, instant win games and lotteries.

The Atlantic Provinces

The Atlantic Provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador and Prince Edward Island, are regulated by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. 

The ALC runs its own online gambling website, however gambling activities are restricted to lottery draw tickets, instant win tickets, keno and bingo games, and Proline wagering. 

Although at present the Atlantic Lottery Corporation does not run any online casinos, there have been talks of opening an online casino on the basis that Canadians are spending a lot of money abroad when they play at offshore online casinos. 

Opening their own local casino would mean that profits would remain in the region to support the local community. 

The ALC has been pushing for expansion and the launch of a fully-serviced online casino for a number of years, knowing that it cannot compete with offshore casinos, especially as there is no law to prohibit Canadians from participating in online gambling.

The Canadian Territories

Apart from the 10 provinces we’ve mentioned in this article, Canada is also made up of the 3 territories of Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest territories. 

These territories have a much smaller population and are managed by the Federal Government.

This part of Canada is often known simply as the ‘The North’ and because of its small population, gambling is not so widespread as in the provinces.

The Territory of Yukon

The Yukon territory boasts the oldest casino in all of Canada, opened in 1971 in Dawson City. 

The Yukon government does not allow for the sale of lottery tickets online, but these must always be sold through a licensed retailer. 

Furthermore, the current provincial law only deems illegal gambling premises without a license operating on Yukon soil.

This leaves Yukon in exactly the same situation as other provinces: Gambling with international casinos is neither legal or illegal.

The territory of Nunavut

The territory of Nunavut is perhaps one of the most remote in all of Canada. It might be the largest territory of this country, however it has the smallest population. 

This is not surprising given the harsh weather conditions and remoteness of the location. 

Here, casinos are non-existent, and although some lottery and Pro-line are available, bingo and table games can only be carried out if a three-day license is obtained. 

With technology more easily accessible than land-based casinos, online gambling with offshore casinos is the best option, and like the rest of Canada, Nunavut’s gambling laws only regulate already existing venues on Canadian soil.

Northwest Territories

Just like Nunavut, this territory is remote and characterized by a harsh climate. 

The locals have very few options in terms of entertainment and just like Nunavut, casinos are non-existent, and any other forms of gambling must have a three-day license. 

NWT’s Legislative Assembly, which is in charge of gambling regulation within the region, does not regulate online gambling. 

This leaves the Northwest Territories just where all the other regions are: the law does not cater for online gambling yet, thus it cannot be deemed illegal.

Gambling with an Offshore Casino

While it is technically illegal for Canadian companies to offer online gambling to Canadians, this law does not apply to companies that are located overseas.

Therefore, at the moment, there are plenty of online casinos and online sports betting sites that cater to Canadian players who are backed up by years of experience and licensed by strict authorities in other gaming jurisdictions.

In future, it may be that Canada will change its legislation and require online casinos overseas to acquire a license in order to cater to Canadians.

This has been the case in several European countries as well as in the US.

But so far, no such law is foreseen for the immediate future, and this makes the choice of online casinos for Canadian players a huge one!

As things stand at the moment, the government cannot legally pursue an offshore casino without a physical presence in Canada and Canadian players cannot be charged with illegal gambling either. This also means that Canadian players don’t have any protection either. 

Things are rather complicated at the moment, however, one thing that stands out is that Canadians are already playing at international casinos and can continue to do so without any legal repercussions. 

As long as they choose a regulated casino with an offshore gambling jurisdiction like the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority and other EEA countries, they can rest assured that that casino will be subjected to strict regulation in terms of fairness, timely payouts and player protection, as well as responsible gambling. 

On the other side of the spectrum, international online casinos are taking advantage of the current situation, and are opening their doors to Canadian players by providing hundreds of games and including Canadians in their promotions. 

Is it Safe to Gamble with Offshore Companies?

Players have nothing to worry about if they play with an online casino that’s based offshore, as long as the casino is owned by a company that is licensed by a reliable authority like the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority.

Most of these online casinos are located in gambling jurisdictions like Malta, Gibraltar, the Isle of Man, and other EEA countries and are subject to strict regulations related to player safety and responsible gambling.

This means that players can expect fair and timely payouts, and that their personal and financial details will be protected using advanced technology.

Many online casinos licensed by the above-mentioned bodies allow Canadian players to join them, and most of them have been operating successfully in other markets for years.

There may be a few restrictions when it comes to payment methods that may be used by Canadian players.

However, other than that, Canadians can play a huge variety of games and take advantage of massive bonuses and casino promotions running across these gambling sites.  

If you have any doubts regarding such casinos’ reliability, it’s easy to find reviews from real players.

Casino reviews will give you a good indication of how fast withdrawals are, how efficient the customer service team is, as well as information about casino bonuses, promotions, and loyalty programs.

Here at Canadacasino.ca, we also write our own casino reviews based on criteria that we consider essential for casinos to meet – namely fair bonuses, timely payouts, and a license from a regulatory body located in the above-mentioned jurisdictions.

Responsible Gambling and Online Casinos in Canada

One concept that online casinos need to observe if they are to be granted a license by a reliable gaming authority is that known as responsible gambling.

This is an umbrella term for various measures that promote player protection and protect vulnerable gamblers from excessive gambling behaviour.

Online casinos that adhere to responsible gambling standards have measures in place to block gamblers that may be spending too much.

The best ones also have a number of features or a separate platform that players can make use of to limit their gambling, such as the setting of betting limits and self-exclusion facilities.

Other responsible gambling measures involve the protection of under-age players, the detection of fraudulent activities, fair gaming, and ethical marketing – marketing that is unambiguous and that doesn’t make false promises.

These measures are getting increasingly stricter in various markets, and here at カナダのカジノ, we strive to promote those gambling sites that are fully committed towards responsible gambling.

Bitcoin gambling from Canada

Some say that Bitcoin gambling is the future, others express scepticism over this issue.

The fact is, Bitcoin gambling is indeed possible at a few casinos, as they allow you to deposit and withdraw in Bitcoins and enjoy the control and anonymity that comes with this payment method.

That said, the choice of Bitcoin casinos is not massive at the moment, mainly due to issues related to player safety and fraud.

Who knows, as cryptocurrencies become more and more popular, there are bound to be changes and Bitcoin gambling may become more commonplace.

And in the meantime, every time we come across a Bitcoin casino that’s safe and legal, we’ll be the first to announce it to our readers!

If you want to get started playing with Bitcoin, we recommend checking out PM.IO Casino.

Online Gambling Canada – The Present and Future

Source: https://iclg.com/practice-areas/gambling-laws-and-regulations/canada

It seems that the laws with regard to online gambling offered by offshore providers are not clear at the moment, and operators are taking advantage of this by continuing to adapt their bonuses and offers to Canadian players.

This opens up plenty of opportunities for the latter, as they can enjoy a huge collection of online games and benefit from regular promotions and freebies.

It’s obvious, that Canadian gambling laws are in need of urgent amendments!

Online casinos are there to stay and if Canada wishes to remain competitive in this ever-growing business, they have to update their legislation. 

Ontario has already taken the first steps towards abolishing the monopoly on online gambling, while the Atlantic Lottery Corporation has been fighting for years to have their own online casino after recognizing the industry potential. 

Although there are no plans to regulate online gambling in the immediate future, it will probably happen sooner rather than later. As more people seek to join online gambling sites, the Canadian government will have no choice but to regulate online casinos that wish to offer their services to Canadian clients.

Of course, things are likely to change in future, and カナダのカジノ.ca will do its utmost to inform its visitors about any amendments, as part of our effort to promote regulated and secure forms of gambling online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most casinos are owned by the various provincial governments who are in charge of issuing licenses and regulate all kinds of gambling.
Some of the provinces have launched their own online casinos which are managed by the provincial governments. As the law stands at the moment, neither the Federal government nor the provinces can license an offshore online casino.
If you can claim a bonus you can play online casino games for free. You can also play for free if you opt for the demo version that accompanies many games, however, wins are fake and cannot be cashed out.

Responsible Gambling

How to prevent Problem Gambling

Responsible Gambling is very important in today’s world where gambling is more accessible than ever. Learn what is Responsible Gambling and discover resources.

Responsible Gambling is considered to be of the utmost importance in this day and age, when gambling activities have become more accessible than ever.

The concept of Responsible Gambling is part of a legislation that binds online Canada casinos to include several safeguards within their platforms for the protection of vulnerable players. Responsible Gambling provides a mechanism that protects players and helps them achieve a safe and fun experience where boundaries are respected with minimum negative effects. 

In this article, we shall explore the broader spectrum of Responsible Gambling. Among other things, we’ll let you know how you can help a friend experiencing a gambling addiction, how to recognize if you have a gambling problem and how to protect minors.

We will also share tools that are available within online casinos to help regulate online gambling and which organizations in Canada to turn to if you believe you need support. 

What is Responsible Gambling?

Responsible Gambling is a broad term that reunites under its umbrella several policies and requirements applicable to various gambling stakeholders. Its main purpose is to make sure that the highest standards of qualities are offered for a safe user experience that protects players from the potential harm of online gambling. 

Under the Responsible Gambling banner, players are encouraged to treat gambling as a fun pastime and not as a means to earn an income. While for the majority of the population gambling is a leisure activity where expenditure is dictated by affordability, some let gambling take over their lives, propelling them towards harmful addiction that might influence their lives and those of their loved ones negatively. 

Licensed online casino operators and game providers are required to apply the principles of Responsible Gambling in various aspects of their activity. There are 7 main areas of Responsible Gambling that are directly connected with iGaming and which are part of the legislative framework:

  • The protection of vulnerable players
  • The prevention of underage gamblers  
  • A sound framework against criminal activity 
  • Protection for online payments 
  • A safe online environment
  • Personal data privacy 
  • Responsible and ethical marketing 

Each online gambling platform must also provide a dedicated page to Responsible Gambling, and all the casinos we feature at Canada Casino do feature a Responsible Gaming page. This page is to serve as a point of reference for all players who might either wish to learn more about the concept or who suspect they might have a gambling problem.

The page varies slightly from platform to platform, but in essence, each one shares advice, tips, information about gambling tools, a self-assessment test and information.

There are also tools to protect minors, and displays in detail how the casino applies Responsible Gambling in its business. Last and perhaps most importantly of all, the Responsible Gambling page refers players to professional agencies who specialize in helping people with a gambling addiction. 

Do you have a potential gambling addiction?

Do you think you have a gambling problem? Ask yourself the following questions and if you answer ‘yes’ to any one of them, we recommend you speak to one of the organizations listed further down below who specialize in problem gambling counselling. 

  • Does the amount of money you spend on gambling make you feel guilty? 
  • Do you feel excited only when you gamble large amounts of money?
  • After a loss, do you find it difficult to stop gambling? 
  • Are you or your household having financial problems because of your gambling? 
  • Are your relationships, job or studies, affected negatively by gambling? 
  • Is gambling causing you to suffer from health problems, including anxiety and stress? 
  • When you are not gambling, do you become restless? 
  • Do you think that you might have a gambling problem?

Helping someone with a Gambling Addiction

Are you concerned that someone you care about might have a gambling problem but you don’t know what to look for? Knowing the warning signs of problem gambling can help you make a series of decisions that lead to both of you receiving the necessary help. The first signs of a problem start with changes in a person’s financial situation, how they spend their time, their mood and behaviour. To help you recognize the signs we shall delve a little deeper into each of these three telltale clues. 

Financial signs 

  • Missing money from the bank or wallet
  • Missing valuables and household items
  • Regularly short on money even though a wage is earned
  • Having multiple loans
  • Unpaid bills
  • Borrowing money regularly
  • Lack of food at home
  • Secrecy about financial records

How time is spent

  • Spending an increasing amount of time gambling 
  • Arriving late for appointments
  • Taking a lot of days off and even sick days 
  • Simple tasks taking a very long time
  • Unexplained absences and secrecy

Mood and Behavioural signs

  • Work performance is affected 
  • Becoming withdrawn from loved ones
  • Always seeming worried, upset or agitated for no apparent reason
  • Changes in personality
  • Manipulative behaviour
  • Trying to manipulate others through the use of threats and lies
  • Expressing hopelessness, depression, and frustration 

Although all of these signs might help you recognize a gambling problem, in most cases it is difficult to pinpoint the source of the problem as such behaviour is often hidden. The concerned persons might lie or hide their feelings and they might even become angry when questioned about their behaviour. 

For the onlooking relative or friend, it might be difficult to admit that someone you love could have such a serious problem. The recognition might lead to feelings of guilt and blame for not having noticed earlier. You might also feel angry, hurt and betrayed. These are all normal emotions under the circumstances and it can be difficult to deal with all these feelings while at the same time trying to understand the gambler. 

Trying to understand the gambler and what they might be going through can help you connect with them better. Through a reciprocated feeling of understanding, the gambler might feel safe enough to open up to you. Together you can start making plans on how to overcome the difficulty and maybe even ask for help. 

Legal age for gambling and Protecting Minors

One of the focuses of Responsible Gambling is the protection of underage people. The most obvious and effective way of stopping underage gambling is by establishing a minimum legal gambling age. In Canada, gambling laws are governed on a provincial level, so that the legal age varies from one state to another. In most cases, the legal age is 19 years old, however, to make sure our Canadian visitors are aware of the legalities in their particular location, we’ve put together the below list with all provinces. 

ProvinceLegal Gambling Age ProvinceLegal Gambling Age
Ontario 19Quebec 18
Newfoundland 19New Brunswick 19
Nova Scotia 19Manitoba 18
Prince Edward Island 19Saskatchewan19
Alberta 18British Colombia 19
Yukon 19Northern19
Nunavut19  

Online casino operators, in turn, are obliged to carry age verification procedures to make sure no one under the legal age is playing for real money. This can be done electronically or else by requesting certain verification documents like passports or ID cards from players. 

But the responsibility does not lie solely with the operators. Players with underage members living in the same household should protect them from coming in contact with any gambling related material. To do this, there are a few tips you can follow for the safety of minors: 

  • Keep casino login details out of reach 
  • Don’t save passwords on your computer
  • Educate your children about gambling, potential harm and legal age
  • Use parental tools on your laptop/tablet/mobile 
  • Install website blocking software

The latter is perhaps one of the most effective ways of protecting your children and other minors from stumbling on a gambling site or even coming across gambling-related advertisements. Some tools that can be useful are Net Nanny, CYBERsitter, CYBER PATROL, GamBan, GamBlock, and BetFilter. 

Responsible Gambling Tools

One of the criteria required for effective Responsible Gambling is the introduction of tools by online casino operators. The tools are part of the player account and are meant to help gamblers regulate their activity and keep track of their betting. Below we are going to take a look at what tools are available, how each one works and the benefits. 

Deposit Limit

As the name suggests this clever tool allows you to limit the amount of money you can deposit daily, weekly or monthly. Should the limit be reached you won’t be able to add funds to your account till the necessary time has elapsed. It can be quite useful in avoiding gambling problems, especially if you already feel that you are spending too much money on your gambling. 

Loss Limit

Instead of limiting how much you can deposit, this tool sets limits on how much money you can lose daily, weekly or monthly. The loss limit tool is very effective since once the limit is reached it does not allow you to place any more bets, limiting the amount of money you can lose. This is a great tool to have if you feel you are starting to lose more money than you can afford. 

Session Limit

If you are spending too much time gambling, this might be the tool to use. It helps players take stock of the hours spent gambling and gives them a reality check about how much time they are dedicating to something that should only be a pastime. The session tool allows you to limit how long you can stay logged into your account and effectively logs you out once the time is up. 

Wagering Limit

The wagering limit tool helps you limit how much money you can bet either in a single session or on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. This is a great tool to have, especially if you feel that you are starting to bet more money than what you should. 

Transaction History

This tool provides a summary of all the transactions that have taken place in your account. The summary is quite detailed, including information about deposits, withdrawals, wagers, results, and pending bets. Players are encouraged to use this tool to keep tabs on their gambling and protect themselves from getting carried away. 

Self Exclusion

Players are always encouraged to take a break from gambling if they feel it is getting out of hand. The Self-Exclusion tool allows you to close your account for as long as you need to. During this period, players are unable to log in to their accounts and participate in any gambling-related activity within that specific platform.  

There is usually the option to choose self-exclusion for a day, a week, for up to six months, or even indefinitely (the latter choice will oblige the gambling platform not to allow you to play anymore).

Self-Assessment

The Self-Assessment tool consists of a set of statements and questions where players have to indicate how they feel about various issues to get an idea of their gambling profile. At the end of the self-assessment, each player will be presented with a summary describing which areas of his or her life are being impacted negatively by their gambling. The summary will also include advice about which tools are available to help them reduce those negative impacts. 

Time Alert

More than a tool, the Time Alert feature is a notification that reminds you from time to time about the length of your gaming sessions. This little notification includes information about any balance changes and is targeted to help players make informed decisions about whether they want to keep on playing or not.

Organizations that can help and provide counselling

These days there is a lot of available help for Canadian players who might experience a gambling addiction. In Canada alone, there are numerous organizations dedicated to promoting Responsible Gambling and reducing the negative effects of problem gambling. Below we have included a list of such organizations together with websites and contact details. Each website provides information about gambling addiction and services for those who require help in overcoming gambling difficulties. Some of their services involve counselling sessions, information for impacted family and friends, debt-advice, self-help groups, and forums. These organizations are manned by professionals who will be able to help you and your loved ones overcome these challenges with all the support you need. 

Responsible Gambling Council (RGC)

The RGC (Responsible Gambling Council) is an independent non-profit organization that has been a leader in the prevention of problem gambling in Canada for the last 35 years. The organization is dedicated to making sure that gambling safeguards are in place and promote the well-being of people and the overall community.

RCG is a trusted source of help for all players in Canada

The RGC seeks to drive positive change, push Responsible Gambling to the forefront and drive standards higher. Canadians who wish to learn more about the Responsible Gambling Council can visit their website or contact them as follows: 

  • Website – www.responsiblegambling.org
  • Phone – +1 (416) 499-9800

Canada Safety Council

The Canada Safety Council is an independent, charitable organization focused on the cause of safety. They have taken the role of national leaders in safety, providing information, education and resources. This non-profit, non-government organization, offers help to people with a gambling addiction. Their program for problem gambling is part of their overall community safety project which is aimed at helping communities live safer lifestyles. The Canada Safety Council can be reached as follows: 

CAMH

CAMH is Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital which is dedicated to setting standards for care, education, research, and even leading social change. Apart from mental health, the hospital deals with addictions of various kinds including gambling addiction. The CAMH has a dedicated problem gambling page on its site that shares a lot of valuable information. The CAMH offers counselling services for players and their families. Canadians who would like to be in contact can reach out on 

BeGambleAware

GambleAware is an independent organization that has an agreed framework with the UK Gambling Commission to deliver the national strategy for Responsible Gambling and reduce gambling harm. GambleAware takes a public health approach as it regards excessive gambling as a public health issue. Guided by this model, the organization participates in integrated prevention services on a national level, while collaborating with expert agencies and organizations. Players can find out more about GambleAware by visiting their website. 

one of the most efficient free help services for gamers in Canada

GamCare

GamCare was founded in 1997 to be a leading provider of information, advice and support for anyone experiencing problem gambling. The organization operates the UK national helpline and provides treatment for players and their families. The organization participates in gambling-related-harm education and prevention. Although the service is available for players residing in the UK, Canadians might stumble upon the organization through online gambling platforms licensed in the UK. Should players from Canada require help they can reach out through Gambling Therapy. 

Gambling Therapy

Gambling Therapy offers many online services for problem gamblers and their families. The organization offers a safe platform for online groups, a resource database, e-mail support and forums. The organization provides support all over North America, with multilingual live support, online gambling therapy support groups, 24/7 gambling therapy support forums, and individual e-mail support. 

Gamblers Anonymous

Rather than an organization, Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women, who have experienced problem gambling to a certain degree. At Gamblers Anonymous, they share their experiences, hope and strength to solve their common problems and help others do the same. The Gambler Anonymous website offers a chat room, a forum, information and even a meeting finder. 

Gambling Addiction Help Worldwide 

  • USA – The National Council on Problem Gambling
  • USA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
  • Argentina – Juego Responsable – 0800-333-0333, WhatsApp 011-1524416058
  • België – VAD – 02 423 03 33
  • Brasil – Jogadores Anônimos – (11) 3229-1023
  • Canada – ProblemGambling – 1-866-531-2600
  • Chile – Psicólogos Ludopatía Chile – 9 222 3860
  • Deutschland – Spielen mit Verantwortung: Glücksspielsucht – 0800-1 37 27 00
  • España – FEJAR – 900 200 225
  • France – IFAC – + 33 (0)2 40 84 76 20
  • Italia – TVNGA – 800 55 88 22
  • Nederland – AGOG – 0900-2177721 (€ 0.10 per minute)
  • Norge – Hjelpelinjen – 800 800 40
  • Österreich – Spielsuchthilfe – (1) 544 13 57
  • Portugal – Jogo Responsável – 213 950 911 (SICAD – Serviço de Intervenção nos Comportamentos Aditivos e nas Dependências)
  • Schweiz – Sucht Schweiz – 021 321 29 11
  • Sverige – Stödlinjen – 020-819 100 (09:00 to 21:00)

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