Responsible Gambling

A Word from Crusty

I've been gambling for over 20 years, and I've seen what happens when it stops being entertainment and becomes a problem. I've seen it happen to friends. I've had stretches myself where I had to step back and take a hard look at what I was doing. This page exists because I take this seriously, and if you gamble online, you should too.

Every casino on this site is one I use and recommend. But no casino - no matter how good the payouts or how fair the bonuses - is worth chasing losses, gambling money you can't afford to lose, or letting it affect your relationships and mental health. If any of that sounds familiar, please read on and reach out to the resources below.

Every province in Canada offers free, confidential gambling support. These services are staffed by trained professionals who understand what you're going through. Calling does not mean you're weak - it means you're smart enough to ask for help.

Self-exclusion lets you voluntarily ban yourself from gambling venues and online platforms. It's not a sign of failure - it's a tool. Here's how it works across Canada:

Important note about offshore casinos: Provincial self-exclusion programs only cover domestically regulated casinos. Offshore casinos (like the ones reviewed on this site) have their own self-exclusion and account closure options. If you need to self-exclude, contact the casino's customer support directly to close your account. Most reputable offshore casinos will honor this request immediately.

Be honest with yourself. If you recognize any of these patterns, it might be time to take a break or seek help:

• Chasing losses. You keep playing to win back money you've lost, even when you know you should stop.
• Gambling with money you can't afford to lose. Rent money, grocery money, bill money - if it's going to a casino, there's a problem.
• Lying about gambling. If you're hiding how much time or money you spend gambling from family or friends, ask yourself why.
• Needing to gamble with more money to feel the same excitement. Like any addiction, tolerance builds. The $20 bet that used to thrill you now needs to be $200.
• Feeling restless or irritable when trying to stop. If not gambling makes you anxious or angry, that's a red flag.
• Borrowing money to gamble. Taking loans, maxing credit cards, or asking friends and family for money to fund gambling.
• Neglecting responsibilities. Missing work, ignoring family, skipping social events because of gambling.
• Gambling to escape problems or relieve stress. Using gambling as a coping mechanism rather than entertainment.

If you recognized yourself in three or more of these, please reach out to one of the helplines above. There's no shame in it. The people on the other end of those phone lines have heard it all before, and they're there to help - not to judge.

For what it's worth, here are the rules I've followed for 20+ years. They've kept gambling fun for me, and I think they can help you too:

• Set a budget before you start. Decide how much you're willing to lose before you open the casino. When it's gone, it's gone. Close the tab.
• Never chase a loss. The money is gone. Depositing more to win it back almost never works and usually makes it worse.
• Take breaks. Set a timer if you have to. Every hour, step away from the screen for 10 minutes. Walk the cat. Make a coffee. Clear your head.
• Never gamble drunk or emotional. Bad decisions get worse with alcohol or stress. If you've had a rough day, this is not the time to play.
• Withdraw your winnings. When you're up, take the money out. Don't let it sit in your casino balance where it's easy to give back.