Responsible Gambling

Last Updated on 24 September 2026 by Sébastien Frisco

Gambling should remain a form of entertainment and should never be treated as a way to make money or recover financial losses. MapleMoolah.com encourages players to understand how casino games work, set personal limits and use the responsible gambling tools available in Ontario.

Online casino gaming in Ontario’s regulated market is restricted to people aged 19 or older. Players must also be physically located in Ontario when placing wagers.

What Is Responsible Gambling?

Responsible gambling means making informed decisions about whether, when and how much to gamble while reducing the risk of financial or personal harm.

Casino games, including Maple Moolah progressive jackpot slots, are games of chance. Individual outcomes cannot be predicted, and no betting strategy can guarantee a win.

A large jackpot should therefore never be viewed as an investment opportunity or as a way to solve financial difficulties.

Set Limits Before Playing

One of the simplest ways to keep gambling under control is to decide in advance how much time and money you are prepared to spend.

Useful precautions include:

  • Set a gambling budget before you begin.
  • Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
  • Set limits on the time spent gambling.
  • Do not borrow money in order to gamble.
  • Do not increase your bets in an attempt to recover previous losses.
  • Take regular breaks and stop playing when gambling is no longer enjoyable.

Increasing a bet or playing for longer does not provide a reliable strategy for winning a progressive jackpot. It simply increases the amount of money that may be put at risk.

Responsible Gambling Tools in Ontario

Regulated Ontario online gaming operators must provide responsible gambling tools to their players.

Depending on the operator, these can include spending limits, time limits, options to take a temporary break and self-exclusion programs.

Players should review the responsible gambling section of their casino account and use these tools before gambling becomes difficult to control.

Responsible Gambling – iGaming Ontario

BetGuard: Centralized Self-Exclusion

Ontario also operates BetGuard, a centralized self-exclusion service for the province’s regulated online gambling market.

People aged 19 or older can use BetGuard to opt out of all regulated online gambling sites in Ontario through a single service. This includes regulated private operators and OLG’s online gaming platform.

Available self-exclusion periods include 6 months, 1 year, 5 years or a custom period.

During the exclusion period, participating regulated sites prevent the person from gambling through their existing accounts or creating new gaming accounts. Direct gambling marketing from regulated operators is also restricted for people enrolled in the program.

For accurate information about self-exclusion, use the official BetGuard website.

Visit BetGuard

When Gambling May Be Becoming a Problem

It can be useful to reconsider your gambling habits if gambling begins to affect your finances, relationships, work or everyday life.

Warning signs can include:

  • spending more money or time gambling than originally planned;
  • trying to recover losses by continuing to gamble;
  • borrowing money or using money needed for essential expenses;
  • hiding the amount of time or money spent gambling;
  • feeling stressed, anxious or frustrated because of gambling;
  • finding it difficult to stop or take a break.

A player does not need to wait for gambling problems to become severe before using limits, taking a break or seeking support.

Free and Confidential Help in Ontario

ConnexOntario provides free and confidential information and support for people experiencing problems related to gambling, mental health or addictions.

The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can also provide information to family members or friends concerned about someone else’s gambling.

  • Phone: 1-866-531-2600
  • Text: CONNEX to 247247
  • Online: chat and other support options are available through ConnexOntario.

Visit ConnexOntario

If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis or experiencing thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 in Canada for crisis support.

Playing on Regulated Ontario Sites

Players who choose to gamble online in Ontario should verify that the casino is part of the province’s regulated market.

Operators must be registered with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and have an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario.

The official iGaming Ontario directory can be used to verify the current regulatory status of a casino before registering or depositing money.

Check Ontario’s Regulated iGaming Market

Maple Moolah and Responsible Play

Maple Moolah games offer progressive jackpots, including a Mega jackpot that starts at CA$1 million. The possibility of a large prize does not change the random nature of the games.

The probability of winning the largest jackpot remains low. Playing for longer, increasing the size of wagers or attempting to recover previous losses should not be considered strategies for winning.

Before playing any Maple Moolah title, check the game’s rules and RTP, decide on a budget and use the responsible gambling tools available through your casino when needed.