Need to talk to someone now? Every province and territory has a free, confidential helpline. Find yours in the table below, or contact the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction's helpline list.
Play for entertainment
Spinaconda Hub exists to help adults make informed choices. Nothing here encourages anyone to gamble or should be read as a way to make money. Casino games have a built-in house edge: over time, the casino wins. Only play with money you have set aside for entertainment, and stop when it is gone.
Lower-risk gambling guidelines
Canada's Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines, developed from Canadian research, suggest three limits that reduce the chance of harm:
- Gamble no more than 1% of your household income before tax per month.
- Gamble on no more than 4 days a month.
- Avoid regularly gambling on more than 2 types of games.
The guidelines also recommend avoiding gambling when you are upset, drinking or using substances, and never chasing losses.
Warning signs
Gambling may be becoming a problem if you notice any of these:
- Spending more money or time than you planned, more often than not.
- Chasing losses, or depositing again to "win it back".
- Borrowing money, using credit or selling things to gamble.
- Hiding gambling from family or friends.
- Feeling anxious, irritable or low when you are not gambling.
- Missing work, school or commitments because of gambling.
If one or more sounds familiar, take a break and talk to someone. Help is free and confidential.
Tools available at Spinaconda
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| Deposit limits | Caps how much you can deposit per day, week or month |
| Loss limits | Stops play once your net losses reach a set amount |
| Wager limits | Caps the total you can bet in a period |
| Cooling-off | Blocks your account for 1 week, 1 month, 3 months or 6 months |
| Self-exclusion | Closes your account for a long period; cannot be reversed early |
Set these from the responsible gambling section of your Spinaconda profile, or ask live chat to apply them for you. Lowering a limit is immediate; raising one comes with a delay.
Block gambling sites on all your devices
Casino self-exclusion only covers one site. Blocking software stops access to thousands of gambling sites at once:
- Gamban and BetBlocker block gambling websites and apps across phones and computers.
- Many Canadian banks let you block gambling transactions on your debit or credit card; ask your bank or check its app.
- Provincial lottery corporations run self-exclusion programs for their own casinos and websites.
Free helplines in Canada
| Province or territory | Service | Phone (toll-free) |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | Gambling Support BC | 1-888-795-6111 |
| Alberta | Addiction and Mental Health Helpline | 1-866-332-2322 |
| Saskatchewan | Problem Gambling Helpline | 1-800-306-6789 |
| Manitoba | Addictions Help Line, Problem Gambling | 1-800-463-1554 |
| Ontario | ConnexOntario | 1-866-531-2600 |
| Quebec | Jeu : aide et référence | 1-800-461-0140 |
| New Brunswick | Gambling Information Line | 1-800-461-1234 |
| Nova Scotia | Problem Gambling Help Line | 1-888-347-8888 |
| Prince Edward Island | Problem Gambling Help Line | 1-855-255-4255 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Problem Gambling Help Line | 1-888-899-4357 |
| Yukon | Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services | 1-866-456-3838 |
| Northwest Territories | NWT Help Line | 1-800-661-0844 |
| Nunavut | Kamatsiaqtut Help Line | 1-800-265-3333 |
Peer support is also available through Gamblers Anonymous meetings across Canada, and families can find support through Gam-Anon.
If someone you care about is struggling
Talk calmly and without blame, focus on specific behaviour rather than labels, and avoid lending money that could be used to gamble. The helplines above support family members too, and can explain how to protect shared finances.
Minors
Online gambling is for adults only: 19 in most of Canada, 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. If children use your devices, use parental control software and never share your casino login. Spinaconda verifies age and identity before any withdrawal.