Responsible Gaming

Our Commitment to Responsible Gaming

At laurashantz.ca, we believe that gambling at Mastercard casinos in Canada should always be a form of entertainment — never a way to earn money, solve financial problems, or escape from everyday life. While most people who gamble online do so responsibly, we recognize that for some, gambling can become a serious problem.

We encourage all of our visitors to set a budget before they play, treat any money wagered as the cost of entertainment, and never gamble with funds they cannot afford to lose. If gambling stops being fun, it's time to stop.

Age Verification

Online gambling is strictly for adults. In Canada, the legal gambling age is 18 or 19 years old, depending on your province or territory:

• 18+: Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec
• 19+: Ontario, British Columbia, and all other provinces and territories

All licensed casinos we reference are required to verify the age and identity of their players. If you share your device with minors, we strongly recommend using parental control software (such as Net Nanny or CyberPatrol) and never saving your casino login credentials on shared devices.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can affect anyone. Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you or someone you care about:

• Chasing losses — gambling more to try to win back money you've lost
• Hiding your gambling activity or lying to family and friends about how much time or money you spend
• Gambling with money meant for rent, bills, groceries, or other essentials
• Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
• Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to cut down or stop
• Gambling to escape stress, depression, loneliness, or other problems
• Neglecting work, studies, or relationships because of gambling
• Unsuccessfully trying to reduce or stop gambling on your own
• Thinking about gambling constantly, even when doing other things

If you answered "yes" to one or more of these, it may be time to take a break and speak with a professional. Recognizing the signs early is the most important step.

Self-Help Tools Available at Licensed Casinos

Reputable online casinos that accept Mastercard in Canada offer built-in tools to help you stay in control. We recommend using them before you start playing:

• Deposit Limits: Set a maximum amount you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
• Loss Limits: Cap how much you can lose over a set period — once reached, you cannot continue playing.
• Wagering Limits: Restrict the total amount you can bet in a given timeframe.
• Session / Reality Checks: Receive on-screen reminders of how long you've been playing and how much you've spent.
• Cooling-Off Periods: Take a short break (24 hours to several weeks) during which your account is suspended.
• Self-Exclusion: Block yourself from a casino or gambling platform for months or permanently. In Ontario, players can also register with iGaming Ontario's self-exclusion options through licensed operators.

You can usually activate these tools in your account settings or by contacting the casino's customer support team.

Support Organizations — Help Is Available in Canada

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, free and confidential help is available:

• Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) — Canada's leading organization for problem gambling prevention and support. Visit www.responsiblegambling.org
• ConnexOntario — Free, confidential 24/7 helpline for Ontario residents: 1-866-531-2600 or www.connexontario.ca
• Gamblers Anonymous Canada — Peer support meetings across the country: www.gamblersanonymous.org
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) — www.camh.ca
• Canada-wide crisis support: Call or text 9-8-8 (Suicide Crisis Helpline) if you are in distress, available 24/7.

For readers outside Canada, support is also available from the National Council on Problem Gambling (US — www.ncpgambling.org) and GamCare (UK — www.gamcare.org.uk).

If You Have a Problem, Seek Help Today

Problem gambling is a recognized and treatable condition — there is no shame in asking for help. If gambling is no longer fun, or if it's affecting your finances, relationships, or mental health, please reach out to one of the organizations listed above. Conversations are free, confidential, and non-judgmental.

Remember: gamble for entertainment only, set limits before you play, and never bet more than you can afford to lose. When the fun stops, stop.

Last updated: 2026 — laurashantz.ca