Responsible Gambling
Last reviewed: February 2026
Gambling should always be fun. If it stops being fun, it's time to stop.
At Ceasefire Now Casinos, we believe that gambling should be an enjoyable form of entertainment — never a source of stress, financial hardship, or harm. We take our responsibility to promote safe gambling seriously, and we encourage every reader to approach online gambling with awareness and self-control. All casinos in our top-rated list are vetted for responsible gambling tools.
This page provides information, tools, and resources to help you gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, please don't hesitate to seek help. You are not alone, and support is available.
Tips for Responsible Gambling
Following these guidelines can help you keep gambling fun and under control:
Set a Budget and Stick to It
Before you start playing, decide how much money you can afford to lose. Treat this amount as the cost of entertainment, like buying a movie ticket. Once you've reached your limit, stop playing — regardless of whether you're winning or losing.
Set a Time Limit
It's easy to lose track of time when gambling online. Set an alarm or use the time-limit features offered by most reputable casinos. Take regular breaks to step away from the screen and assess how you're feeling.
Never Chase Losses
Trying to win back money you've lost is one of the most common and dangerous gambling behaviours. Accept that losses are part of gambling and walk away when you've reached your budget limit.
Don't Gamble Under the Influence
Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and decision-making. Gambling while under the influence can lead to reckless bets and spending beyond your means. Always gamble with a clear head.
Don't Gamble When Stressed or Upset
Using gambling as a way to cope with emotional problems, stress, or depression is a warning sign. Gambling should be a leisure activity, not an escape mechanism. If you're not in a good headspace, find another activity.
Balance Gambling with Other Activities
Gambling should be just one of many hobbies and activities in your life. If you find that gambling is taking up more and more of your time at the expense of other activities, relationships, or responsibilities, it may be time to reassess.
Understand the Games You Play
Learn the rules, odds, and house edge of the games you play. Understanding that the house always has an advantage helps you maintain realistic expectations and make informed decisions about your play.
Use Casino Responsible Gambling Tools
Most reputable online casinos offer tools such as deposit limits, loss limits, session time limits, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion. Take advantage of these features to help maintain control over your gambling. All casinos on our best online casinos Canada list include these tools.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can develop gradually, and it's not always obvious — even to the person experiencing it. Be honest with yourself and watch for these warning signs:
- Spending more money or time on gambling than you intended
- Feeling restless or irritable when trying to stop or reduce gambling
- Trying to win back money you've lost (chasing losses)
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
- Neglecting work, school, or family responsibilities because of gambling
- Lying to family members or friends about your gambling habits
- Feeling guilty, anxious, or depressed about your gambling
- Gambling to escape problems or relieve negative feelings
- Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to get the same excitement
- Making repeated unsuccessful efforts to control or stop gambling
- Risking or losing significant relationships, jobs, or opportunities because of gambling
- Relying on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling
If you recognise any of these signs in yourself or someone you care about, please reach out for help. Problem gambling is treatable, and recovery is possible.
Self-Assessment: Is Gambling a Problem for You?
Answer the following questions honestly. If you answer "yes" to any of them, it may be time to seek support or reconsider your gambling habits.
- Do you spend more money on gambling than you can afford to lose?
- Do you find yourself gambling for longer periods than you planned?
- Have you tried to cut back or stop gambling but found it difficult?
- Do you feel anxious, stressed, or guilty about your gambling?
- Have you ever lied about how much time or money you spend gambling?
- Has your gambling caused problems in your relationships or at work?
- Do you gamble to escape boredom, stress, or other problems?
- Have you ever borrowed money or sold something to finance gambling?
- Do you find yourself thinking about gambling when you're supposed to be doing other things?
- Do you feel the need to bet more and more money to feel excited?
0 "yes" answers: You likely have a healthy relationship with gambling. Continue to gamble responsibly.
1–3 "yes" answers: You may be developing unhealthy gambling habits. Consider setting stricter limits and reviewing the tips on this page.
4–6 "yes" answers: Your gambling may be becoming a problem. We strongly recommend speaking with a gambling support professional.
7+ "yes" answers: You may have a serious gambling problem. Please contact one of the helplines listed below as soon as possible.
Canadian Gambling Helplines & Support
If you need help with a gambling problem, these Canadian organisations offer free, confidential support:
Responsible Gambling Council (RGC)
1-866-531-2600
Canada's leading non-profit organisation dedicated to problem gambling prevention. Offers information, resources, and referrals for anyone affected by gambling.
ConnexOntario
1-866-531-2600
Ontario's health services information line provides free and confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with gambling, drugs, alcohol, or mental health. Available 24/7.
Gamblers Anonymous Canada
Find local meetings online
A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to solve their common problem and help others recover from a gambling problem.
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA)
613-235-4048
Canada's national centre of expertise on substance use and addiction, providing research, policy guidance, and public education on gambling and other addictions.
Crisis Services Canada
1-833-456-4566
If gambling or any other issue is causing you to have thoughts of self-harm, please call immediately. Available 24/7. You can also text 45645 (4 PM – midnight ET).
Provincial Helplines
| Province/Territory | Helpline | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | ConnexOntario | 1-866-531-2600 |
| British Columbia | BC Responsible Gambling | 1-888-795-6111 |
| Alberta | Alberta Health Services | 1-866-332-2322 |
| Quebec | Jeu: aide et référence | 1-800-461-0140 |
| Manitoba | AFM Gambling Helpline | 1-800-463-1554 |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Health Authority | 1-888-858-6625 |
| Nova Scotia | NS Gambling Support | 1-888-347-8888 |
| New Brunswick | NB Problem Gambling | 1-800-461-1234 |
Self-Exclusion Programs
Self-exclusion is a formal process that allows you to voluntarily ban yourself from gambling venues and platforms for a set period of time. Most Canadian provinces offer self-exclusion programs, and most reputable online casinos — including all sites in our recommended casino list — provide their own self-exclusion tools.
How Self-Exclusion Works
- Casino self-exclusion: Most online casinos allow you to set a self-exclusion period (typically from 6 months to permanently) through your account settings. During this period, you cannot access your account or place bets.
- Provincial programs: Each province operates its own self-exclusion program for land-based and, in some cases, online gambling. Contact your provincial gaming authority for details.
- iGaming Ontario: Players in Ontario can self-exclude from all registered iGaming sites through iGaming Ontario.
Self-exclusion is a courageous step and an effective tool for regaining control. If you feel you need to self-exclude, we encourage you to do so.
Our Commitment to Responsible Gambling
Ceasefire Now Casinos is committed to promoting responsible gambling across every aspect of our website. Our reviews are led by Tyler Roy, our Senior Casino Reviewer, who evaluates every recommended casino's responsible gambling tools and player protection standards before it earns a spot on our site.
- We only recommend casinos that offer robust responsible gambling tools, including deposit limits, loss limits, session limits, and self-exclusion options. Read how we evaluate casinos for more on our review process.
- We display the 18+ age restriction symbol on every page of our website.
- We provide clear and prominent links to gambling support resources throughout our content.
- We never encourage excessive or irresponsible gambling behaviour in our content.
- We present casino bonuses and promotions honestly, including the restrictions and wagering requirements that apply.
- We regularly review and update our responsible gambling resources to ensure they remain current and helpful.
If you have suggestions on how we can better promote responsible gambling, please contact us. Your feedback helps us do better. You can also browse our Bitcoin casino guide for responsible ways to enjoy online gambling in Canada.