Responsible Gaming

The Core Principles of Safe Play

Gambling always involves the possibility of financial loss. No outcome is guaranteed, and no strategy eliminates risk entirely. Players who approach gambling with clear boundaries are better equipped to enjoy it without negative consequences.

BC Game encourages all Canadian players to treat gambling as a form of entertainment, not a source of income. Setting personal boundaries before playing is one of the most effective ways to protect your finances and emotional health.

The platform provides built-in tools that help players stay in control:

• Deposit limits: Cap the amount you can add to your account over a set period;
• Session time reminders: Receive notifications about how long you have been playing;
• Loss limits: Set a ceiling on how much you are prepared to lose;
• Self-exclusion: Temporarily or permanently suspend access to your account;
• Reality checks: Periodic prompts that display your current session activity.

These tools are available directly through your account settings. Using them consistently is one of the most practical steps toward playing responsibly.

Signs That Gambling May Be Becoming a Problem

Gambling addiction is a recognized condition that can develop gradually. It often goes unnoticed until it begins to affect daily life in significant ways. The following indicators may suggest that gambling has moved beyond recreational activity:

• Spending more time or money on gambling than originally planned;
• Continuing to gamble after repeated financial losses in an attempt to recover them;
• Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when unable to gamble;
• Neglecting work, studies, or family responsibilities because of gambling;
• Borrowing money or selling personal belongings to fund gambling sessions;
• Lying to family members or friends about how often or how much you gamble;
• Using gambling as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, or emotional difficulties;
• Failed attempts to reduce or stop gambling despite genuine desire to do so;
• Thinking about gambling frequently, even during unrelated activities;
• Continuing to gamble despite awareness of the harm it is causing.

If several of these signs apply to your situation, seeking support is a constructive and important step.

Practical Steps to Address Betting Addiction

Addressing a gambling problem early leads to better outcomes. There are concrete actions that can reduce the risk of addiction developing or help manage an existing one. BC Game recommends the following approaches:

• Use the self-exclusion feature available in your account to take a break from gambling;
• Set strict deposit and loss limits before each session and commit to them;
• Keep a personal log of your gambling activity, including time spent and amounts wagered;
• Avoid gambling when feeling emotionally vulnerable, stressed, or under the influence of alcohol;
• Share your concerns with a trusted person, such as a friend, family member, or counsellor;
• Replace gambling time with alternative activities that provide engagement and enjoyment;
• Contact a professional support organization specializing in gambling addiction in Canada;
• Review your financial situation regularly and treat gambling expenses as a fixed entertainment budget;
• Take advantage of cooling-off periods offered by BC Game to create space between sessions;
• Seek a formal assessment from a healthcare professional if self-management efforts are not producing results.

These steps are not presented as a clinical treatment plan. They are practical measures that support healthier habits.

Support Resources Available Across Canada

Several organizations across Canada offer confidential support for individuals affected by gambling addiction. Professional help is accessible, free in most cases, and available in both English and French.

• Gambling Support BC – a dedicated provincial resource for British Columbia residents, offering counselling and self-help tools;
• Connex Ontario – provides access to mental health, addiction, and crisis services for Ontario residents;
• Éducaloi / Gambling Help Ontario – Ontario’s toll-free gambling helpline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week;
• Alberta Health Services – Addiction Helpline – a provincial helpline and treatment referral service;
• Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario – offers clinical resources, research tools, and treatment locators;
• Responsible Gambling Council – a national non-profit organization with educational resources and a self-assessment tool;
• Gamblers Anonymous Canada – a peer support network with groups active throughout Canada.

All of the above organizations operate independently of BC Game and provide impartial, professional guidance.

Contacting BC Game Support

Players in Canada who are experiencing difficulties related to gambling can reach the BC Game support team at any time. The support team can assist with activating account controls, processing self-exclusion requests, and directing users to appropriate external resources.

Available contact options include:

• Live Chat: Accessible directly on the BC Game website, available 24 hours a day;
• Email: Players can submit a support request via the official contact email listed in the Help section of the platform;
• Help Centre: A searchable knowledge base covering responsible gaming tools, account management, and limit-setting procedures.

All communications related to responsible gaming and self-exclusion are handled with full confidentiality. Players are encouraged to reach out without hesitation if they need assistance.