How to Stop Gambling

Last updatedOctober 15, 2024

In Canada, online gambling is widely accessible. While it is designed to be an enjoyable pastime, some individuals may encounter difficulties. Recognizing the early signs of gambling addiction is essential to help you prevent escalation into more severe problems.

If you plan to engage in gambling activities, there are several proactive measures you can take to protect yourself. These steps include:

Steering clear of gambling while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Avoid gambling during periods of sadness, anxiety, or anger.
Only wagering money you can afford to part with without it significantly affecting your finances.
Never gambling to replace income
Taking frequent pauses while gambling, including setting alerts to remind you to take breaks.
Establishing pre-commitment methods for your gambling habits.

Keeping these strategies in mind can significantly benefit anyone who chooses to gamble.

Pre-commitment tools

For those who do start gambling, most licensed online gambling platforms provide a range of tools designed for responsible gambling. These tools empower you to manage your gambling behaviors effectively.

By utilizing these options when setting up your account, you can enforce limits that you have previously determined:

Loss limits : This feature allows you to define the maximum amount of money you are willing to lose over a specific timeframe. You will receive alerts once you approach your limit, and further gambling will be restricted.
Deposit limits : This lets you designate how much money you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly. Once this limit is established, you won’t be able to deposit beyond this threshold during the specified period. A visual tracking bar will also show your progress toward your deposit limit.
Cooling-off periods : This option enables you to take a timeout by temporarily preventing you from accessing the gambling site. The typical duration is about 24 hours.
Self-exclusion : This allows you to completely ban yourself from a gambling platform for a lengthier period of time, ranging generally from 3 to 12 months or even indefinitely. Once enacted, this cannot be undone, and you will be entirely locked out of your account.

Unfortunately, while licensed online casinos are mandated to provide support, there currently isn't a nationwide system for self-exclusion in Canada. Each province operates independently in this regard.

In Ontario, online gambling is now comprehensively regulated, which means there are strict protocols for promoting responsible gambling. Looking ahead, Ontario authorities will introduce a centralized self-exclusion program, allowing players to block themselves from all online gambling platforms simultaneously.

Conversely, in other provinces, online gambling lacks regulation. Consequently, the responsible gambling features are unique to each gambling site. Thus, if you have accounts on several platforms, you'll have to visit each one separately to set your limits or initiate exclusion periods. This is where gambling-blocking applications can be incredibly useful.

Block gambling apps

If you feel that simply blocking access to the sites you're registered with isn't sufficient, there are gambling blocker applications available. These apps are an efficient way to impose stricter limits on access to gambling platforms, helping to curtail the urge to gamble significantly.

Unlike self-exclusion methods, blocking apps will prohibit you from accessing any gambling site, both within Canada and internationally. As a result, they can be very effective in controlling gambling behaviors. Several apps are available, such as:

GamBan : This app prevents access to thousands of gambling websites. Additionally, it offers links to various gambling support resources.
BetBlocker : This tool works on any internet-capable device to block you from over 13,000 gambling websites. You can also choose the duration for which to block access.

What are the indicators of problematic gambling?

Unsure if you or a person you care about has a gambling problem? Here are some signs that suggest intervention may be necessary:

Investing more time or money into gambling than you can comfortably afford.
Finding it hard to stop gambling
Chasing losses
Experiencing anxiety or concern related to gambling activities.

Canadian helplines and guidance

If you're struggling to quit gambling, there are numerous support hotlines and resources available for gamers in Canada. Some online support options include:

ConnexOntario : This service provides free and confidential assistance for Ontario residents dealing with gambling addiction.
GamblingTherapy.org : A free international service offering guidance and emotional support to anyone impacted by gambling issues.
GamTalk.org : An online community for sharing personal stories and connecting with others facing gambling challenges.
RecoverMe : A mobile application designed for individuals with gambling difficulties, accessible on both Apple and Android devices.

Depending on your location within Canada, there are various other resources available for gambling support.