Responsible Gambling · Help Resources

Signs of Problem Gambling

Gambling is entertainment. But for some people, it becomes a problem. Here are the warning signs, and the Canadian resources that can help — free and confidential.

Quick answer

If the signs are recurring, or you are gambling to recover losses, stop the session, set a cooling-off period, and contact a support service now. The fastest first steps are usually a limit change, a self-exclusion request, and a call to a Canadian helpline.

Need help now?

1-800-522-4700 — Canada’s 24/7 gambling helpline. Free, confidential, anonymous.

Behavioural Warning Signs

Spending more money or time gambling than intended

Chasing losses — betting more after a loss to "win it back"

Lying to family or friends about gambling activity or losses

Borrowing money, selling possessions, or using credit to fund gambling

Missing work, school, or family commitments because of gambling

Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, depression, or other problems

Becoming irritable, restless, or anxious when trying to reduce or stop gambling

Repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop gambling

Source: Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) / AGCO responsible gambling framework.

Financial Warning Signs

Unexplained bills or financial shortfalls

Maxing out credit cards or taking out loans without explanation

Withdrawing savings or retirement funds for gambling

Selling personal items to fund gambling sessions

Asking for money from friends or family repeatedly

How to Self-Assess

The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) is a validated 9-question tool used globally to assess gambling-related harm. A score of 1–2 indicates some risk; 3–7 indicates moderate risk; 8+ indicates high risk.

GameSense (iGaming Ontario’s responsible gambling programme) provides a free online self-assessment tool available to all Ontario registered players.

Take the GameSense self-assessment

Canadian Help Resources

Hotline

Gambling Support Line (Canada)

1-800-522-4700

24/7 confidential support — call or text anytime. Free, professional, and anonymous.

Self-Help

GameSense (Ontario)

gamesense.iGO.ca

iGaming Ontario's responsible gambling programme — self-assessment tools, spending limits, time limits, and counsellor referrals.

Referral

ConnexOntario

1-866-531-2600

Mental health and addiction services referral service for Ontario. 24/7.

Peer Support

Gamblers Anonymous Canada

gamblersanonymous.org

12-step peer support programme — local chapter meetings and online meetings available across Canada.

Clinical

CAMH (Ontario)

camh.ca

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health — clinical treatment programmes for gambling disorder in Ontario.

Hotline

British Columbia Problem Gambling Helpline

1-888-795-6111

BC-specific support — free counselling referrals. Operated by BCLC.

Responsible Gambling Tools at 247iBET

AGCO regulations require all licensed Ontario operators to provide the following tools. They are available in your operator's account settings:

Deposit Limits: Set daily, weekly, or monthly maximum deposit amounts. Takes effect immediately; increases require a waiting period.

Time / Session Limits: Receive automatic alerts or session cut-offs after a set play duration.

Reality Checks: Periodic pop-up reminders showing session length and net wins/losses.

Cooling-Off Period: Temporarily suspend your account for 24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days.

Self-Exclusion: Permanently or indefinitely close your account. All AGCO-licensed operators integrate with iGaming Ontario's province-wide exclusion register.

GameSense Advisor: Access to trained responsible gambling advisors through iGaming Ontario's GameSense programme.

Warning Signs and First Actions

Sign	Why it matters	First action
Chasing losses	Often escalates bets and creates a faster loss spiral.	Stop play and step away before placing another wager.
Borrowing money	Means gambling is starting to affect day-to-day finances.	Set a cooling-off period and remove payment access.
Hiding play	Secrecy is a common marker that gambling feels hard to control.	Tell someone you trust and use a support line or self-assessment.

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Problem Gambling Signs FAQ

What should I do if I notice several warning signs?+

Pause play immediately, remove access to your gambling funds, and contact a Canadian support line or counselling service. If the behaviour feels hard to control, use a cooling-off period or self-exclusion before you return to gambling.

Is chasing losses always a red flag?+

Yes. Chasing losses is one of the clearest warning signs because it often leads to larger bets, faster losses, and more stress. If you catch yourself trying to win money back, stop the session and step away.

Does self-exclusion help if I need a hard stop?+

Yes. Self-exclusion is the strongest limit because it blocks access for a set period or indefinitely, depending on the province and operator. It is useful when time-outs or deposit limits are not enough on their own.

Where should Ontario players start first?+

Ontario players should start with GameSense and ConnexOntario because both provide immediate support, self-assessment, and referral options. Those resources are designed for quick triage before a situation gets worse.