Responsible Gambling

Gambling should be entertainment, not a way to make money or solve financial problems. At LeoVegas Casino Canada, we're committed to promoting responsible gaming practices and providing tools to help you stay in control.

Most people gamble responsibly within their means. But for some, gambling can become problematic, affecting finances, relationships, and mental health. This page explains warning signs, available tools, and where to get help if gambling stops being fun.

What Is Responsible Gambling?

Responsible gambling means keeping gaming as a form of entertainment while maintaining control over time and money spent. It involves:

• Gambling only with money you can afford to lose
• Setting limits on deposits, losses, and time spent playing
• Never chasing losses or gambling to recover money
• Taking regular breaks from gaming
• Not gambling when upset, depressed, or under the influence
• Balancing gambling with other activities and responsibilities
• Understanding that the house always has an edge long-term

If gambling feels like more than entertainment - if it's causing stress, financial pressure, or affecting your life negatively - it's time to reassess your relationship with it.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling develops gradually. Recognizing early warning signs helps prevent serious issues:

Financial Warning Signs

• Spending more money than you planned or can afford
• Borrowing money to gamble or cover gambling losses
• Lying about how much you've lost or won
• Selling possessions to fund gambling
• Missing bill payments because gambling took priority
• Using credit cards or loans for gambling
• Hiding financial statements from family or partners

Behavioral Warning Signs

• Gambling for longer periods than intended
• Repeatedly trying to quit but failing
• Chasing losses - continuing to play to win back money lost
• Gambling when you should be working, studying, or with family
• Needing to bet more money to feel the same excitement
• Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut down
• Using gambling as an escape from problems or negative feelings

Emotional and Social Warning Signs

• Relationships suffering due to gambling habits
• Lying to loved ones about gambling activity
• Feeling guilty or ashamed after gambling
• Neglecting work, education, or family responsibilities
• Isolating yourself to gamble in secret
• Mood swings related to wins and losses
• Experiencing anxiety or depression about gambling

If you recognize several of these signs in yourself or someone you know, it's important to seek help before problems escalate.

Tools to Stay in Control

LeoVegas provides multiple tools accessible through your account settings to help maintain healthy gambling habits:

Deposit Limits

Set maximum amounts you can deposit over specific periods:

• Daily Limit: Maximum deposit per 24-hour period
• Weekly Limit: Maximum deposit per 7-day period
• Monthly Limit: Maximum deposit per 30-day period

Limit increases don't take effect immediately - there's a 24-hour cooling-off period to prevent impulsive decisions. Decreases apply instantly.

How to set: Account Settings > Responsible Gaming > Deposit Limits

Loss Limits

Cap the maximum amount you can lose (deposits minus withdrawals) in a time period. Once you hit the limit, you can't play until the period resets.

Loss limits help prevent chasing losses - one of the most dangerous gambling behaviors.

Session Time Limits

Set maximum duration for gaming sessions. After the time expires, you're automatically logged out and must manually log back in to continue.

Time limits combat the tendency to lose track of how long you've been playing, especially during winning or losing streaks.

Reality Checks

Pop-up reminders that appear at intervals you set (every 30 minutes, hour, etc.) showing:

• How long you've been playing
• Your current session balance (wins/losses)
• Option to continue or take a break

These interruptions provide moments of awareness, helping you make conscious decisions about continuing to play.

Take a Break (Cool-Off Period)

Temporarily suspend your account for a period you choose:

• 24 hours
• 7 days
• 1 month
• 6 weeks

During a cool-off period, you cannot log in, deposit, or play. You won't receive marketing communications. Once the period ends, your account automatically reactivates.

Use this tool when you feel you're losing control or need a break to reassess your gambling habits.

Self-Exclusion

Permanently close your account for a minimum period (typically 6 months to 5 years, or indefinitely). This is the most serious option for people recognizing they have a gambling problem.

During self-exclusion:

• You cannot access your account or create new ones
• All promotional communications stop
• Any remaining balance is withdrawn according to your preference
• The exclusion cannot be reversed until the period ends

Self-exclusion is legally binding. Attempting to bypass it by creating new accounts under different details results in permanent ban and fund forfeiture.

How to self-exclude: Contact customer support or email [email protected] with "Self-Exclusion Request" in the subject line.

LeoSafePlay Platform

LeoVegas operates LeoSafePlay, a dedicated responsible gaming platform providing:

• Educational resources about problem gambling
• Self-assessment tests to evaluate your gambling behavior
• Information about warning signs and risk factors
• Tips for setting healthy gambling limits
• Links to professional support organizations
• Stories from people who've recovered from gambling addiction

LeoSafePlay is accessible to all users, not just those with accounts. It's a resource for anyone concerned about their gambling or wanting to learn about responsible gaming.

Where to Get Help

If gambling is negatively affecting your life, professional help is available. These organizations provide free, confidential support specifically for Canadians:

ConnexOntario

Free, confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with gambling, drugs, alcohol, or mental health.

Phone: 1-866-531-2600 (available 24/7)
Website: connexontario.ca

Services include phone counseling, treatment referrals, and information about local support groups.

GamTalk

Online peer support community where people affected by gambling can share experiences, receive encouragement, and learn coping strategies.

Website: gamtalk.org

Moderated forums available 24/7, plus scheduled group meetings led by trained facilitators.

Gamblers Anonymous

Fellowship of men and women who share experience, strength, and hope to solve their common problem and help others recover from gambling addiction.

Website: gamblersanonymous.org

In-person and virtual meetings throughout Canada. Find local meetings through their website.

Gambling Therapy

Global service offering free practical advice and emotional support to anyone affected by problem gambling.

Website: gamblingtherapy.org

Online support groups, one-on-one counseling, and resources available in multiple languages.

Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario (PGIO)

Research and education center providing information about problem gambling prevention and treatment.

Website: problemgambling.ca

Provincial Resources

Most Canadian provinces offer dedicated gambling helplines and treatment programs:

• Ontario: ConnexOntario (1-866-531-2600)
• British Columbia: Problem Gambling Help Line (1-888-795-6111)
• Alberta: Alberta Health Services Addiction Helpline (1-866-332-2322)
• Quebec: Gambling: Help and Referral (1-800-461-0140)

Helping Someone With a Gambling Problem

If you're concerned about a friend or family member's gambling, here's how to help:

Recognize the Signs

Look for behavioral changes, financial difficulties, mood swings, secrecy about activities, or relationship problems potentially connected to gambling.

Have an Honest Conversation

Choose a calm moment when neither of you is emotional. Express concern without judgment. Use "I" statements: "I'm worried about you" rather than "You have a problem."

Be prepared for denial or defensiveness. Don't argue - simply state your observations and offer support.

Avoid Enabling

Don't lend money, pay their debts, or cover for their gambling. This enables the behavior to continue. They need to face consequences to recognize the problem.

Encourage Professional Help

Suggest contacting support organizations like ConnexOntario or GamTalk. Offer to help them make the call or attend the first meeting with them.

Take Care of Yourself

Supporting someone with a gambling problem is emotionally draining. Organizations like Gam-Anon (support group for families of problem gamblers) can help you cope.

Set Boundaries

Protect your own finances and wellbeing. You can support someone without sacrificing your own stability.

Preventing Underage Gambling

LeoVegas strictly prohibits anyone under 19 years old (or the legal age in their province) from creating accounts or gambling.

Our Prevention Measures

• Age verification during registration
• Document verification requiring government ID
• Monitoring for suspicious accounts that may belong to minors
• Immediate account closure if a minor is discovered

Parental Responsibility

Parents and guardians should:

• Keep login credentials secure and never share them with children
• Monitor children's internet activity
• Use parental control software to block gambling sites
• Educate children about gambling risks
• Set a good example with your own gambling habits

If you discover a minor has accessed LeoVegas, contact us immediately at [email protected].

Understanding the Odds

Every casino game has a built-in mathematical advantage for the house. This "house edge" ensures casinos remain profitable long-term. Understanding this helps set realistic expectations:

House Edge Examples

These percentages apply over thousands or millions of plays. Short-term results vary wildly - you might win big or lose fast. But mathematically, the longer you play, the more likely you are to lose money overall.

Key takeaway: You cannot beat the house edge through strategy, systems, or patterns. Gambling should never be viewed as income or investment.

Common Gambling Myths

Myth: "I'm due for a win"

Reality: Every spin, hand, or roll is independent. Past results don't influence future outcomes. A slot machine that hasn't paid out in hours isn't "due" - it's still running on the same random number generator with the same odds.

Myth: "I can win back my losses if I keep playing"

Reality: Chasing losses leads to bigger losses. The house edge doesn't change because you're losing. Continuing to play when behind typically results in losing more money, not recovering what's gone.

Myth: "I have a system that beats the odds"

Reality: No betting system (Martingale, Fibonacci, etc.) can overcome house edge. These systems might win short-term but eventually fail due to table limits, bankroll constraints, or statistical probability.

Myth: "I gamble better when I'm drunk/high"

Reality: Substances impair judgment, leading to riskier bets and poor decisions. Never gamble under the influence - you're more likely to lose control and exceed your limits.

Myth: "I can stop whenever I want"

Reality: If you frequently tell yourself this but continue gambling beyond your plans, it may indicate loss of control. True ability to stop means actually stopping when you said you would.

Tips for Safe Gambling

• Set a budget before you play and stick to it regardless of wins or losses
• Never gamble with borrowed money or money needed for bills, rent, or essentials
• Set time limits and take regular breaks - don't play for hours straight
• Don't chase losses - accept them as the cost of entertainment
• Balance gambling with other activities - it shouldn't be your only hobby
• Avoid gambling when emotional - upset, depressed, angry, or overly excited
• Don't gamble to escape problems - it creates new ones without solving existing issues
• Keep perspective - gambling is entertainment, not income
• Use responsible gaming tools proactively, before problems develop
• Talk to someone if gambling causes stress or conflicts

Our Commitment to Responsible Gaming

LeoVegas takes responsible gambling seriously. We actively work to:

• Provide easily accessible tools for players to self-manage their gambling
• Train staff to recognize and respond to problem gambling indicators
• Promote responsible gaming messages in marketing materials
• Partner with problem gambling organizations
• Conduct research to improve responsible gaming measures
• Comply with all regulatory requirements regarding player protection
• Continuously review and improve our responsible gaming policies

If you feel we could better support responsible gaming, contact us at [email protected] with your feedback.