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Looking to take a break from gambling?
Self-exclusion can be an effective tool to support your commitment to stay away from gambling. Find out if self-exclusion is
right for you.
Voluntary self-exclusion is a common program that has been adopted by many regions in North America, Australia, Europe, South Africa and Asia. Self-exclusion is a commitment you make to yourself by voluntarily entering into an agreement with online or land-based operators not to gamble for a chosen time. It can be an important first step in helping to control your gambling.
When and why to self-exclude:
- You’re no longer having fun when you gamble
- Gambling is causing you financial, health, or relationship problems
- You feel you could benefit from taking a break
- Gambling is causing you, or the people around you, undue stress
- The urge to gamble is becoming uncontrollable and you are ready to change
- You feel your gambling has “taken over” all aspects of your life and is causing physical, emotional, or psychological harm
- Your focus is solely on winning back losses
How does self-exclusion help?
Self-exclusion provides people who are struggling with their gambling habits an opportunity to step away from gambling and refocus their lives and finances. It can provide you with access to additional community support to address your gambling and may also provide the needed support if you’re unsure of how to manage next steps in recovery.
What you can do if you want to gamble after you self-exclude:
- Consider seeking help by speaking to a representative, such as ConnexOntario, a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week service available in Ontario or the National Problem Gambling Helpline if you’re in the USA. Find your local helpline.
- Find other rewarding activities to replace gambling
- Seek support like Gambler’s Anonymous, online forums and counselling
- For support, reach out to family and friends and let them know what you’re going through
Where to voluntarily self-exclude across Canada
- Self-Exclusion in Alberta
AGLC’s Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program
To access the program, visit a GameSense Info Centre and speak with a GameSense Advisor, or ask a security staff at any casino or REC. You can also visit the AGLC offices in St. Albert or Calgary, or call AGLC’s Social Responsibility Branch at 780-447-7582 or 1-800-272-8876.
- Self-Exclusion in British Columbia
BCLC’s Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program
Visit a GameSense Info Centre (located at all BC casinos and community gaming centres) and speak directly with a GameSense Advisor, or any staff member at the casino, community gaming centre or commercial bingo hall. You can also call BCLC’s customer support line at 1-866-815-0222 for more information or to set up an appointment at BCLC head offices in Kamloops or Vancouver.
- Self-Exclusion in Manitoba
MLL’s Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program
Visit the GameSense Info Centre or ask any venue staff to direct you to Security or the Casino Operations Manager in order to enrol in the program. You can also enrol at locations other than the casino. Contact Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Security Office at 204-957-2500 ext. 8468 to find out where you can enrol and to make an appointment.
- Self-Exclusion in Ontario
The OLG My PlayBreak program is a voluntary self-help tool that enables you to make a commitment to take a break from participating in gaming activities offered by OLG for a defined period of time. My PlayBreak is a commitment you make with yourself. It’s a program you enter voluntarily, and you agree not to visit certain gaming locations in Ontario, or play on OLG.ca for a chosen period of time. The My PlayBreak program is a tool you can use when you want to take a break from gambling. The program is entirely confidential. No one will know about your decision to register in My PlayBreak besides you, the program administrators, and those you choose to confide in. To access the program, visit a PlaySmart Centre or ask management/security staff at any casino or charitable bingo gaming centre in Ontario. You can also phone the OLG Customer Careline at 1-800-387-0098.
How My PlayBreak in Ontario works:
- You choose the length of time you want to be excluded: 3 months, 6 months, one year, two years, 3 years, 4 years and 5 years.
- The program is completely confidential. No one will know besides you, the program administrators, and those you tell.
- Once registered, you’ll be required to stop visiting Ontario casinos, Charitable Bingo and Gaming centres and/or OLG.ca.
- You will be removed from all OLG marketing lists.
- Your photo will be included in OLG’s facial recognition database. Should you be detected at a gaming site, you will be escorted off the premises.
Returning to Play after registering for My PlayBreak
If you registered before September 12th, 2022, there is a formal process to return to play. You must have completed your My PlayBreak term, and if you feel that you can safely gamble again, you can apply to return to play.
Returning to play requires that you follow appropriate procedures. To start the process, write a letter to casino security if you’re returning to play for casinos, or to the Charitable Gaming Self-Exclusion Coordinator for Charitable Gaming Centres (i.e. bingo halls), letting them know that you would like to return to gambling. You will need to attend a scheduled meeting with a site representative a minimum of 30 days after submitting your written request and complete the appropriate paperwork. You may return to gambling 24 hours after your scheduled meeting and completion of return to play paperwork.
If you registered on or after September 12th, 2022 and completed a My PlayBreak registration or renewal form, the return to play process above does not apply to you. If you register or renew in My PlayBreak on or after September 12th, 2022, you will be offered renewal options before your term ends. If you have completed your term and do not renew, you will no longer be registered in the program.
Learn more about My PlayBreak now or call OLG Customer Care at 1-800-387-0098.
The choice to return is yours. Here are some questions to ask yourself before returning to gamble
- Do I have the same beliefs about gambling as I did before?
- How will my gambling be different this time?
- Am I prepared to set time and money limits?
- Am I prepared to leave bank and credit cards at home?
- Why do I want to return to gambling?
- What are my thoughts on what gambling means/is?
- Am I planning to go for entertainment purposes?
- What measures/strategies do I have now that will help me set more realistic limits/expectations on myself?
- What will I do to gamble more safely and carefully?
- Am I ready/willing to think/do things differently upon my return?
- Have I shared this news/information with family or friends so I have some support?
- Am I willing to stop again if I notice that I fall into the same patterns/situation?
- Self-Exclusion in New Brunswick
NBLGC’S Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program
To access the program, visit or call RGIC (Responsible Gaming Information Centre) at Casino New Brunswick at 506-861-4699.
- Self-Exclusion in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Gaming’s Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program
Visit the Responsible Gambling Resource Centre (located at both Nova Scotia casinos) or call 902-424-8663 (Halifax) or (902) 563-3797 (Sydney) to speak with one of our professional and friendly staff in order to access the program.
- Self-Exclusion in Prince Edward Island
The Self-Exclusion program allows any player to voluntarily ban themselves from the gaming floors at both Red Shores locations. To access the program, visit or call the PlayWise Information Centre at Red Shores at 902-620-4267.
- Self-Exclusion in Quebec
Loto Quebec’s Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program
To register to the program, go to:
- A customer service desk at any of our casinos or gaming halls
- Loto-Québec headquarters in Montréal
- Loto-Québec customer service at the Québec City offices (Door 6)
- Any of the nine designated help centres for problem gambling, by appointment :
- La Maison Jean Lapointe (Montréal)
- Centre CASA (Québec City)
- CIUSSS de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec (Trois‑Rivières)
- Centre de réadaptation en dépendance de l’Outaouais (Gatineau)
- Sandy Hill Community Health Centre (Ottawa)
- Centre de réadaptation en dépendance de Lanaudière (Joliette)
- Centre de réadaptation en dépendance de Lanaudière (Terrebonne)
- Ressource Genesis (Charlevoix)
- Centre intégré des services sociaux des Laurentides (Tremblant)
- Self-Exclusion in Saskatchewan
SIGA’s Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program
To enrol in the Self-Exclusion program, a patron must make a specific request. The request can be made at any SIGA casino site.
- Self-Exclusion in Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon
There are no currently available Self-Exclusion programs at land-based venues. However, toll free gambling helplines are available:
- Northwest Territories General Help Line: 1-800-661-0844
- Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line: 1-800-265-3333
- Yukon Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services: 1-866-456-3838
Can I register someone else for self-exclusion?
Self-exclusion is a voluntary program across Canada. If you have concerns about someone else’s gambling, you can access help for yourself and your loved one.
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