Responsible Gambling

Gambling should be entertainment, not a financial strategy. I take responsible gambling seriously, and it is a core part of how I evaluate every sportsbook I review. If gambling ever stops being fun, or if you find yourself chasing losses, betting more than you planned, or feeling anxious about outcomes, please use the resources below.

Get Help Now

ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 — Free, confidential support available 24/7. ConnexOntario provides help for problem gambling, mental health, and addictions across Ontario.

National Gambling Help Line: 1-800-463-1554 — Canada-wide support for gambling-related concerns.

Responsible Gambling Council: responsiblegambling.org — Educational resources, self-assessment tools, and research on responsible gambling practices.

Ontario Self-Exclusion

Ontario's self-exclusion registry allows you to ban yourself from all iGaming Ontario regulated platforms simultaneously. One registration covers every AGCO-licensed sportsbook operating in the province. You can register for self-exclusion through iGaming Ontario or through any licensed operator's responsible gambling tools. Self-exclusion periods range from six months to permanent, and I recommend it for anyone who feels they need a break from gambling.

Tools Available at AGCO-Licensed Sportsbooks

Every AGCO-licensed sportsbook operating in Ontario is required to provide the following responsible gambling tools. These are not optional features — they are regulatory requirements enforced by the AGCO:

Deposit Limits: Set daily, weekly, or monthly maximum deposit amounts. I always set a weekly deposit limit on every account I test, and I recommend you do the same before placing your first bet.

Loss Limits: Set maximum loss amounts over defined periods. If you hit your limit, the platform will prevent further deposits until the period resets.

Session Time Reminders: Receive notifications after a set period of active play, reminding you how long you have been on the platform.

Cooling-Off Periods: Temporarily suspend your account for a set duration — typically 24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days. During this period, you cannot place bets or make deposits.

Self-Exclusion: Permanently or semi-permanently close your account and block access. Available at every AGCO-licensed platform.

My Approach to Responsible Gambling

I set a testing budget for every sportsbook I review — typically $50 to $200 per platform. I treat this as a cost of research, not an investment I expect to recover. When I recommend deposit limits to readers, I practise what I preach.

I believe the sports betting industry has a responsibility to protect its customers, and I factor responsible gambling tool quality into my sportsbook rankings. Platforms that bury their responsible gambling controls or make them difficult to use receive lower scores, because that is a product failure as much as a compliance issue.

Signs of Problem Gambling

If any of the following apply to you, please consider reaching out for support: betting more than you can afford to lose, chasing losses with larger bets, borrowing money to gamble, neglecting responsibilities due to gambling, lying about gambling habits, feeling anxious or irritable when not gambling, or gambling to escape problems or relieve stress. There is no shame in asking for help. The resources listed above exist specifically for this purpose.