Responsible Gaming in Canada

The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), the core component of the larger Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI), is a commonly used screening tool that measures the risk and severity of gambling. This interactive quiz was developed in Canada and features a 9-question self-assessment scale with scoring from 0 (no problems) to 8+ (signs of problem gambling). If you are worried about whether you may have a problem with gambling addiction, you can take the PGSI Test. Whatever results you will get, remember that it is not a diagnosis and you should consult a professional for proper assessment.

Gambling addiction is categorized as a mental health condition. People who are addicted to gambling can display varying degrees of symptoms, mild or intense. The main types of gambling addictions are Problem gambler, Compulsive gambler, and Binge gambler.

Problem Gambler

• A problem gambler’s habits are not completely under their control, nor are they addicted to the point of compulsion.
• Their gambling behaviour is disrupting their normal life.
• They may lie about their spending habits to loved ones.
• They slowly realize that they can’t prevent themselves from gambling more often.

Compulsive Gambler

• A person who can’t control their gambling desire.
• They continue to gamble regardless of the consequences.
• They continue to look for gambling opportunities even though they’re fully aware they can’t afford to lose.
• Also known as a pathological gambler.

Binge Gambler

• A person who displays signs of compulsive gambling only during specific periods.
• They may appear to be in control of their problem.
• They can go for months on end without showing any signs of addiction.
• Their compulsive gambling behaviour is only shown when they gamble, however rarely it is.

There is a list of signs by the American Psychiatric Association that you can use to determine if you are or someone you know may have a gambling addiction. At least four of these signs must have been present within the past year:

• The need to gamble with a higher amount of money to accomplish the same level of excitement.
• Being irritable or restless when attempting to cut down on gambling.
• Having numerous unsuccessful tries to stop gambling.
• Frequent thoughts about gambling.
• Gambling when feeling depressed, anxious, guilty, or helpless.
• Returning to get even after losing money.
• Lying to hide gambling activities or their consequences.
• Jeopardizing or losing relationships, jobs, or opportunities.
• Relying on the help of others for money problems related to gambling.

Individuals with gambling addictions typically have other underlying conditions, such as substance abuse, depression, and anxiety. In order to obtain an accurate and correct diagnosis, you should consult a medical professional such as a psychiatrist or a therapist.

Gambling is a major driving force in the Canadian economy. It constitutes the largest segment within Canada’s entertainment industry, generating an astounding $15+ billion annually. This figure continues to climb each year.

Worldwide, approximately 1.6 billion people gamble per year. Over 4.2 billion people have gambled at some point in their lifetime. In Canada, there are at least 18.6 million people who actively participate in gambling. Canada is the 8th ranked country in online gambling.

Statistics say that approximately 2% of Canadian adults suffer from problem gambling at land-based casinos. When it comes to online casinos, this figure rises to 40.8% of people with a PGSI test score of 8+. In addition to that, according to the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, online gamblers are 45 times more likely to meet problem gambling criteria than players who stick exclusively to lotteries. 69.4% of people from 18 to 29 who gamble online already meet these criteria.

Gambling has significantly increased in Canada due to virtually every casino offering online gambling. It’s also cheaper than traditional brick-and-mortar casinos, and it's convenient.

It’s estimated that, as of 2024, around 74.5% of Canadians participate in some form of gambling. This number equals almost 30 million citizens. The average Canadian spends C$6.75 a month on gambling activities.

If you have concerns with gambling, there is help available: Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline 1-888-230-3505 www.problemgamblinghelpline.ca CAMH: Child, Youth and Emerging Adult Service 416-535-8501, press 2 www.CAMH.ca For additional resources and more information about this video, please go to: www.gamblingandpoverty.ca

The medical term for gambling addiction is ludomania. It involves many factors, including biological, psychological, and social, along with comorbidity. Other points to consider include mental health conditions, the age at which you begin gambling, and how significant your first wins are.

Biological factors

The Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery has found evidence that pathological gambling is very similar to substance addiction. Studies have shown that addicted gamblers display more physical symptoms during withdrawal than substance addicts. Deficiencies in chemicals like norepinephrine, which is secreted under stress, arousal, or thrill, as well as serotonin, which is connected to your level of happiness, are also related to compulsive gambling behaviour.

Psychological factors

The way you think about gambling, i.e. the Gambler’s fallacy, can have an influence on your chances of developing an addiction. It is an incorrect belief that a series of independent events will affect the outcome of future independent events. Other psychological factors include cognitive biases like the illusion of control, denial, superstitious beliefs, and overconfidence in future events.

Social factors

Problems at work or at home, coupled with high amounts of stress, can trigger problematic gambling behaviours, though they’re not necessarily the leading cause. Ludomania is also linked to distress, depression, loneliness, meaningful life events, and low levels of support from friends and family.

Comorbidity

The presence of one or more additional conditions that occur in conjunction with the primary condition also influences gambling. These include alcohol and drug addiction, personality disorders, depressive and anxiety disorders.

Gambling causes a lot of negative side effects. These can include, but are not limited to:

Financial losses

A compulsive gambler can accumulate a large number of debts very quickly. In extreme cases, they can even end up poverty-stricken. The loss of your home, cars, and other assets can lead to total bankruptcy.

Mental health

The strain that gambling problems inflict on your mental health is massive. Gambling problems can lead to broken relationships, work dismissals, and overall distress, which in turn can result in depression and even suicide.

Family and relationships

The people closest to a person suffering from a gambling addiction face repercussions as well. According to statistics, families of people with ludomania are more likely to experience child abuse and domestic violence. Children of gambling addicts can develop substance abuse, depression, and behavioural problems later on in life.

Work and career

The negative effects of gambling trickle through into your workplace as well. Gambling can affect productivity, motivation, and general day-to-day activities. A decrease in your working abilities can also lead to permanent dismissal, resulting in loss of income.

As a Canadian player, you can use special tools found at online casinos and set restrictions on your gambling, including deposit, loss, wager, session time limits, cool-off periods, reality checks, and self-exclusions.

You can set a maximum cap on the amount of money you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly. The request to increase a limit typically has a mandatory 24-hour cooling-off period and won’t be applied to your account immediately. Casino players can also set a maximum cap on the net losses, control the amount they can bet on a single wager or pre-set a maximum duration for a single gambling session.

Reality checks are pop-up notifications that regularly appear during your session and inform you of the time and money spent playing. Most active casino players can take a break from their gambling in a cool-off period that lasts up to several weeks.

Finally, self-exclusion lets you be excluded from gambling for a long-term period, from a minimum of 6 months to a lifetime. In order to initiate it, you need to contact the casino’s customer support.

As a measure to limit their gambling, Canadian citizens can apply for self-exclusion programs. This is a permanent commitment, and it won’t be possible to voluntarily quit the program until your term expires.

• The OLG Self-Exclusion Program in Ontario lasts from 6 months to a lifetime.
• British Columbia has Game Break, a self-exclusion from gambling for a period of 6 months to 3 years.
• Alberta AGLC Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program offers a self-exclusion period of up to 3 years.
• Loto-Québec Self-Exclusion runs from 3 months to a minimum of 5 years.
• iGaming Ontario provides voluntary self-exclusion for all licensed gambling websites and apps operating in Ontario (e.g., OLG.ca, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, etc.) for a set period of time.

If you know you have a problem or think you may develop one, there are a lot of resources available to aid you in overcoming a gambling addiction. To effectively combat gambling addiction, you’ll need to seek the help of a medical professional. A combination of treatments is typically recommended. With the right professional intervention and treatment, many gamblers can successfully recover and learn to manage their condition.

Medical Treatment

There is no medicine that specifically targets and treats gambling addictions. Some medications show promising effects in reducing the need to gamble, as well as the feeling of adrenaline that accompanies it.

The medications used in gambling addictions are similar to those used in other habits and conditions, such as antidepressants and anti-seizure medications.

Therapy and Counselling

Psychotherapy is one of the most effective means of treating gambling problems. A trained medical professional can provide in-depth counselling and therapy sessions that have a high success rate. Many individuals suffer from underlying mental health conditions that are diagnosed at the same time as gambling problems during therapy sessions. This is one of the main reasons why this treatment is necessary, as it uncovers various hidden issues that may not have been noticeable before.

Group Support and Self-Help

Group support can be monumental in fighting a gambling problem. Gamblers Anonymous is an example of a group support system. People from all walks of life attend these meetings with a similar goal in mind. This can be a useful method of gaining advice and insight from people with the same problems as you. Self-help also plays an instrumental role, because, at the end of the day, it’s your life you need to change.

There are self-help recommendations offered by the American Psychiatric Association to manage gambling cravings:

• Ask for support from family or friends, or go to a Gamblers Anonymous meeting.
• Try distracting yourself with other fun activities, and don’t avoid healthy socializing.
• Wait for more extended periods before engaging in gambling to allow the cravings to wear off.
• Think about the consequences of gambling and what will happen if you decide to gamble.

If you have a loved one who is struggling with ludomania, it’s best to identify a gambling addiction as early as possible. That way, they can receive treatment and recover timeously. Compulsive gambling can be challenging to overcome. With the right professional intervention and treatment, many gamblers can successfully recover and learn to manage their condition.

Signs of a Gambling Problem

The first step is to understand the signs that could indicate a potential gambling problem in someone you know:

• They’ve started lying about their gambling habits.
• They gamble more and don’t notice the deterioration in their relationships.
• They talk about how they might have a problem.
• They borrow or take money to gamble or sell things to make money.
• They spend increasing amounts of time gambling.
• They spend money on gambling despite unpaid bills and a lack of other basic necessities.

If any of the above signs are visible, it’s time to pay attention. They might already be seeking help, or they’re too afraid to admit the problem entirely. It’s important to approach this issue in a non-judgmental or threatening manner.

It’s essential to educate yourself on the dos and don’ts of someone with a compulsive gambling problem:

• Being supportive is crucial.
• Ensure you’re not enabling the gambler in any way.
• Participate in the treatment process as appropriate.

For example, you shouldn’t offer to pay off any gambling debts, as this is enablement. Instead, you could assist them in finding financial counselling or other services that tackle debts.

Intervention

While there’s no guaranteed method of convincing someone to get help, there are ways to encourage them and help open their eyes to the more significant problem at hand.

An intervention is one of these methods. In an intervention, family members and close friends approach the gambler to discuss their concerns. It’s crucial to utilize a positive and loving tone. The gambler shouldn’t feel as though they are being attacked or ridiculed. Instead, they should feel like they have a circle of concerned loved ones who want the best for them.

A gambler’s loved ones can conduct an intervention, but it’s also useful to employ the help and guidance of a professional interventionist.

How to Prevent the Suicide of Problem Ludomans

A high rate of suicide among problem gamblers is connected to pre-existing mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, which further exacerbate the issue. Having honest, responsible, and safe conversations about suicidal thoughts can aid you in determining if someone needs help.

If you or someone you know feels suicidal, you can reach out for help via 988, Canada's 3-digit Suicide & Crisis Lifeline launched in November 2023. You can also contact the Canadian Suicide Prevention Service on 1-833-456-4566, or you can text “Start” to 45645. This service is available 24/7.

There are several alternatives to gambling and its triggers. Even if you aren’t a problem gambler, you can substitute your other addictions with these activities.

Alternatives to Gambling.

Reason For Gambling	Alternative to Gambling
It’s exciting and provides a rush of adrenaline.	Some examples of sports that induce the same feelings include rock climbing, mountain biking, go-kart racing, bungee jumping, rafting, and paragliding.
It offers a social aspect as you interact with other people.	Various ways of socializing include counseling, public speaking classes, social groups dedicated to specific activities such as joining a book club, meeting up with friends and family, making new friends, and volunteering.
It allows you to forget about your problems and relax after a long day.	Therapy, self-help, meditation, and exercise are healthy ways of managing your stress in everyday life.
It helps with feelings of boredom and loneliness.	Find something you’re passionate about like music, art, sports, books, and other hobbies, and connect with others who share your interests.
Gambling solves money problems.	Gambling is a game of chance. This means you cannot win every game as the odds are inherently against you. Find help in the form of financial counseling to manage your debts.

In order to manage your gambling, you can use a range of software programs, including BetBlocker, Gamban, or GamBlock. You can install BetBlocker in 2 minutes to block over 90,000 gambling websites across the world. It’s a free program compatible with any device, including those with Android and iOS. Gamban can be downloaded for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS, costs C$24.99 per year, and blocks over 100,000 websites. GamBlock features heuristic blocking technology with intelligent algorithms, works across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices and can be purchased for $101.95 per year.

There are a lot of common misconceptions about gambling addictions. It’s essential to have the correct facts when dealing with this disorder. Here are the top five myths:

There are a lot of helpful resources for those seeking help with their gambling addiction. Regardless of whether you need assistance immediately or want to set out a treatment plan, there is help available in all forms. Here are some resources dedicated to fighting gambling addictions:

• Gamblers Anonymous

This organization has a branch for every type of addiction, including drugs and alcohol. There are groups that meet up all over the world to combat disorders. There is a twelve-step program that outlines a plan to aid problem gamblers in recovery, as well as a commitment to not return to past behaviours. You can reach out to Gamblers Anonymous by phone: 1-855-222-5542.

• Gambling, Gaming, and Technology Use

Known before as Problem Gambling, this organization is located in Toronto and forms part of the Provincial System Support Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). You can access a variety of information about problem gambling to increase your knowledge and understanding of the addiction.

• Responsible Gambling Council (RGC)

The Responsible Gambling Council is Canada's leading RG organization dedicated to reducing gambling risks through awareness and safeguards.

• GamTalk

GamTalk is a free online peer support chat that offers community and online tools for managing a gambling addiction.

• GamblingTherapy

Gambling Therapy is a free global service that provides practical advice and emotional support to anyone affected by gambling.

• RecoverMe App

RecoverMe app is a CBT-based mobile support that you can use for free with the code “RECOVERME100”.

• HopeForWellness Helpline

HopeForWellness is an indigenous-specific support line available 24/7 to all Indigenous people across Canada, like Cree, Inuktitut, and Ojibway. You can contact the helpline by phone: 1-855-242-3310.

In every Canadian province, you can find a help center for gambling addicts. Below, you’ll find a list of local institutions that you can reach at any moment.

• Alberta: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca

Call +1-866-332-2322

• British Columbia: https://www.gamblingsupportbc.ca

Call +1-888-795-6111

• Manitoba: https://afm.mb.ca/

Call +1-800-463-1554

• New Brunswick: https://www2.gnb.ca/

Call +1-800-461-1234

• Newfoundland: https://www.gov.nl.ca/hcs/mentalhealth-committee/mentalhealth/

Call +1-888-899-4357 or dial 811

• Northwest Territories: https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en

Call +1-800-661-0844

• Nova Scotia: https://beta.novascotia.ca/

Call +1-888-429-8167

• Nunavut: https://www.gov.nu.ca/

Call +1-800-265-3333. Inuktitut support available.

• Ontario (CAMH): https://kmb.camh.ca/ggtu/

Call +1-416-535-8501

• Ontario (ConnexOntario): https://connexontario.ca/

Call +1-866-531-2600. Over 170 languages available.

• Prince Edward Island: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en

Call +1-855-255-4255

• Quebec: https://aidejeu.ca/en/

Call +1-800-461-0140

• Saskatchewan: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/

Call +1-800-306-6789. Help via phone, text, or chat available.

• Yukon Territory: https://yukon.ca/

Call +1-866-456-3838

Ontario's regulated iGaming market was launched in April 2022 and operates under stringent responsible gambling (RG) standards. All operators must be registered with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and hold an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario. A key requirement is the allocation of at least 0.5% of gross gaming revenue to fund RG awareness and education campaigns.

In June 2025, the AGCO made operators install real-time behavioural monitoring systems to identify risky play. Ontario’s advertising restrictions include a ban on the use of influencers and any imagery that appeals to minors.