Responsible Gaming
At livingwellihc.ca, we believe that sports betting should always be a form of entertainment — never a way to earn money or solve financial problems. Gambling involves risk, and losses are a normal part of play. Never bet more than you can comfortably afford to lose, and never treat betting as a source of income. If gambling stops being fun, it's time to stop.
Age Verification
Gambling is strictly for adults. In Canada, the legal gambling age varies by province and territory — it is 19 in most provinces (including Ontario and British Columbia) and 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec. Always verify and follow the legal age requirement in your province or territory before placing any bet. Licensed operators are required to verify your age and identity. If you share your device with minors, use parental control software and never leave betting accounts logged in.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you or someone you care about:
- Chasing losses — betting more to try to win back money you've lost
- Hiding your gambling activity or lying to family and friends about how much you bet
- Betting with money intended for rent, bills, groceries, or other essentials
- Borrowing money or going into debt to fund gambling
- Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to cut down or stop
- Gambling to escape stress, loneliness, or other problems
- Neglecting work, studies, or relationships because of gambling
- Thinking about gambling constantly or planning your next bet throughout the day
- Unsuccessful attempts to reduce or stop gambling
If you recognize several of these signs, it may be time to seek support — and help is available, free and confidential.
Self-Help Tools
Licensed sportsbooks and betting platforms offer tools to help you stay in control. We encourage you to use them before problems start:
- Deposit limits — set a maximum amount you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly
- Loss limits — cap how much you can lose over a set period
- Wager and session limits — restrict bet sizes and time spent on the platform
- Reality checks — on-screen reminders showing how long you've been playing and how much you've spent
- Cooling-off / time-out periods — take a short break from betting for 24 hours to several weeks
- Self-exclusion — voluntarily block yourself from gambling sites for a longer period (e.g., Ontario's iGaming Ontario self-exclusion program or your provincial lottery corporation's program)
You can also contact your bank about gambling transaction blocks, and use website-blocking software to restrict access to betting sites.
Support Organizations
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, these independent organizations offer free, confidential support:
- Responsible Gambling Council (Canada) — information, resources, and problem gambling prevention programs. Visit www.responsiblegambling.org
- ConnexOntario (Ontario) — free, confidential helpline for problem gambling, mental health, and addiction services, available 24/7 at 1-866-531-2600
- Gamblers Anonymous — peer-support meetings across Canada and worldwide. Visit www.gamblersanonymous.org
- Your provincial helpline — most Canadian provinces operate a free problem gambling helpline (e.g., British Columbia: 1-888-795-6111; Alberta: 1-866-332-2322; Quebec: 1-800-461-0140)
- National Council on Problem Gambling (US) — for visitors from the United States. Visit www.ncpgambling.org or call/text 1-800-522-4700
If You Have a Problem — Seek Help
Problem gambling is not a sign of weakness, and you are not alone. Reaching out is the strongest step you can take. If gambling is causing you stress, financial harm, or affecting your relationships, please contact one of the organizations above today — support is free, confidential, and available around the clock. Set limits, play responsibly, and remember: when the fun stops, stop.
Last updated: 2026. livingwellihc.ca is an informational website and does not operate gambling services. Please gamble responsibly.