Responsible Gaming

Gambling Should Be Entertainment

At journeythroughlosscalgary.org, we believe gambling should always be treated as a form of entertainment — never as a way to earn money, pay bills, or solve financial problems. Online casinos, including those accepting Mastercard, are designed so the house has an edge over time. Wins are never guaranteed, and losses are part of the activity.

We encourage every visitor to gamble responsibly: set a budget before you play, only wager money you can afford to lose, and treat any winnings as a bonus rather than income. If gambling stops being fun, it's time to stop — and, if needed, to reach out for help.

Age Verification

Gambling is strictly for adults. In Canada, the legal gambling age is 18 or 19 depending on your province or territory (for example, 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec; 19 in Ontario, British Columbia, and most other provinces). You must meet the legal age requirement in your jurisdiction before opening an account or playing at any online casino.

Licensed operators are required to verify your identity and age. Never gamble on behalf of someone else, and keep your account credentials away from minors. Parents and guardians are encouraged to use parental control software (such as NetNanny or similar tools) to block gambling sites on shared devices.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can affect anyone. Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you or someone you care about:

• Chasing losses — gambling more to try to win back money you've lost
• Hiding your gambling from family, friends, or colleagues
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or using credit to gamble
• Gambling with money meant for rent, groceries, or other essentials
• Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when not gambling
• Lying about how much time or money you spend gambling
• Gambling to escape stress, loneliness, or other difficult emotions
• Unsuccessful attempts to cut down, control, or stop gambling
• Neglecting work, studies, relationships, or responsibilities because of gambling
• Thinking about gambling constantly, even when doing other activities

If you recognize one or more of these signs in yourself, it may be time to take a break and consider speaking with a professional. Recognizing the problem early is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Self-Help Tools

Reputable online casinos offer tools to help you stay in control. We strongly recommend using them:

• Deposit Limits: Set a maximum amount you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Loss Limits: Cap how much you can lose within a set period.
• Session / Time Limits: Restrict how long you can play in one session.
• Reality Checks: Enable on-screen reminders showing how long you've been playing and how much you've spent.
• Cooling-Off Periods: Take a short break (24 hours to several weeks) during which you cannot log in.
• Self-Exclusion: Block yourself from a casino for an extended period (six months, one year, or permanently). In many Canadian provinces, you can also register for provincial self-exclusion programs.

You can also ask your bank or Mastercard issuer about blocking gambling transactions on your card, and consider third-party blocking software such as Gamban or BetBlocker.

Support Organizations

Free, confidential help is available 24/7. If you're in Canada, these organizations can support you:

Canada

• Responsible Gambling Council — www.responsiblegambling.org — Information, tools, and resources on safer gambling.
• ConnexOntario — 1-866-531-2600 — Free, confidential helpline for gambling, mental health, and addiction support in Ontario (24/7).
• Alberta Health Services – Addiction Helpline — 1-866-332-2322 — Confidential support for Albertans, including those in Calgary.
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) — www.camh.ca — Canada's largest mental health teaching hospital, offering problem gambling resources.

International Resources

• United Kingdom: GamCare — www.gamcare.org.uk | GamStop (free national self-exclusion) — www.gamstop.co.uk
• Australia: Gambling Help Online — www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
• United States: National Council on Problem Gambling — www.ncpgambling.org | Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER
• Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) — Glücksspielsucht helpline: 0800 1 37 27 00
• Worldwide: Gambling Therapy — www.gamblingtherapy.org — Free online support in multiple languages.

If You Have a Problem, Seek Help Today

Gambling problems are treatable, and recovery is possible. If gambling is causing you stress, debt, or harm to your relationships, please reach out to one of the organizations listed above — it's free, confidential, and available around the clock. Talking to a trusted friend, family member, or healthcare professional is also a strong first step.

Remember: gamble only for fun, never bet more than you can afford to lose, and know when to walk away. If it's no longer fun, it's time to stop — and help is always available.

Last updated: 2026 | journeythroughlosscalgary.org