Self-Exclusion Programs in Canada: Province-by-Province Guide

What Is Self-Exclusion?

Self-exclusion is a voluntary program that allows you to ban yourself from gambling at licensed operators for a set period of time. When you self-exclude, the operators are legally required to close your accounts, refuse your bets, and stop sending you marketing materials.

Self-exclusion programs exist in every Canadian province and are a critical part of the responsible gambling framework. They are designed for people who feel they are losing control of their gambling, want to take a break, or need help stopping altogether.

It is important to understand: self-exclusion is not a punishment. It is a tool — one that thousands of Canadians use every year to regain control of their relationship with gambling. Using a self-exclusion program is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Ontario Self-Exclusion

Ontario has one of the most comprehensive self-exclusion systems in Canada, covering both online and land-based gambling.

iGaming Ontario Online Self-Exclusion

For online sports betting and casino sites licensed by iGaming Ontario, self-exclusion works as follows:

• How to register: Through the iGaming Ontario self-exclusion portal or directly with individual operators
• Scope: You can self-exclude from a single operator or from all iGaming Ontario-registered operators simultaneously
• Duration options: Typically 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years, depending on the program
• What happens: Your accounts are closed, your balance is returned, and operators are prohibited from contacting you with marketing
• Reinstatement: After the exclusion period ends, reinstatement is not automatic. You must actively request to be reinstated, which includes a cooling-off reflection period

OLG Self-Exclusion

For land-based casinos and OLG's online platform (PROLINE+), the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation operates a separate self-exclusion program:

• Register in person at any OLG casino or online through OLG.ca
• Options: 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, or indefinite
• Covers all OLG casinos, slots at racetracks, and OLG.ca

Helpline: ConnexOntario — 1-866-531-2600 (24/7) or visit connex ontario.ca

British Columbia Self-Exclusion

BC's self-exclusion programs are managed by the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) under the GameSense brand.

BCLC Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE)

• How to register: In person at any casino, community gaming centre, or by contacting GameSense. Online self-exclusion available for PlayNow.com
• Duration options: 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, or 3 years
• Scope: Covers all BCLC casinos, community gaming centres, and PlayNow.com (the only legal online option in BC)
• What happens: Photo taken at registration, casino staff trained to identify self-excluded individuals, online accounts closed
• Reinstatement: After exclusion period, must attend an in-person reinstatement session with a GameSense advisor

GameSense Resources

GameSense advisors are available at all BC casinos and provide free, confidential support. They can help you understand your gambling patterns, set limits, or enroll in self-exclusion.

Helpline: BC Gambling Support Line — 1-888-795-6111 (24/7)

Quebec Self-Exclusion

Quebec's self-exclusion programs are managed by Loto-Québec.

Loto-Québec Voluntary Exclusion

• How to register: In person at any Loto-Québec casino or gaming salon, or online for Espacejeux (the provincial online platform)
• Duration options: 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years for casinos; account closure available for online
• Scope: Covers Loto-Québec casinos, gaming salons, and Espacejeux.com
• What happens: Photo taken, barred from entering gaming areas, online accounts suspended
• Reinstatement: Must wait until the exclusion period ends and then contact Loto-Québec to request reinstatement

Helpline: Gambling: Help and Referral — 1-800-461-0140 (24/7) or visit jeu-aidereference.qc.ca

Alberta Self-Exclusion

Alberta's self-exclusion program is managed by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC).

AGLC Voluntary Self-Exclusion

• How to register: In person at any Alberta casino or racing entertainment centre, or online through PlayAlberta.ca
• Duration options: 1 year, 3 years, or lifetime
• Scope: Covers all Alberta casinos, racing entertainment centres, and PlayAlberta.ca
• What happens: Photo and physical description recorded, barred from all gambling facilities, PlayAlberta account closed
• Reinstatement: For 1-year and 3-year exclusions, must complete a reinstatement process. Lifetime exclusions are permanent

Helpline: Alberta Health Services Addiction Helpline — 1-866-332-2322 (24/7)

Manitoba Self-Exclusion

Manitoba's program is managed by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries.

• How to register: In person at any Manitoba casino or VLT site, or through PlayNow.com account settings
• Duration options: 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, or indefinite
• Scope: All Manitoba casinos, VLT sites, and PlayNow.com
• Reinstatement: Requires an in-person meeting after the exclusion period

Helpline: Addictions Foundation of Manitoba — 1-855-662-6605

Saskatchewan Self-Exclusion

Saskatchewan's program is managed by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) and SaskGaming.

• How to register: In person at Casino Regina or Casino Moose Jaw
• Duration options: 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, or 5 years
• Scope: SaskGaming casinos and their online platform
• Reinstatement: Must complete a reinstatement process after the exclusion period

Helpline: Saskatchewan Health Authority Problem Gambling Services — 1-888-461-2640

Atlantic Provinces Self-Exclusion

The Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland & Labrador) coordinate through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC).

Atlantic Lottery Voluntary Self-Exclusion

• How to register: In person at participating gaming venues or through Atlantic Lottery's online channels
• Duration options: Vary by province — typically 6 months to 5 years
• Scope: Atlantic Lottery gaming venues and the ProLine Stadium online platform

Province-Specific Helplines

• New Brunswick: Gambling Information Line — 1-800-461-1234
• Nova Scotia: Gambling Support Services — 1-888-347-8888
• PEI: Island Helpline — 1-800-218-2885
• Newfoundland & Labrador: Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line — 1-888-737-4668

Online vs Land-Based Self-Exclusion

An important distinction to understand is that online and land-based self-exclusion programs are often separate. Self-excluding from a provincial lottery corporation's casinos does not automatically exclude you from their online platform, and vice versa.

In Ontario, the system is more integrated for iGaming — you can self-exclude from all registered online operators through a single process. But if you also want to be excluded from land-based OLG casinos, you need to enroll in that program separately.

If you want comprehensive coverage, enroll in both online and land-based programs. Ask the registration staff to confirm exactly what your exclusion covers.

What Happens When You Self-Exclude

Here is what to expect after you register for self-exclusion:

1. Immediate effect: Your accounts are frozen or closed. Any pending bets may be settled, and your balance will be returned to you.
2. Marketing stops: The operator must remove you from all marketing lists. You should not receive promotional emails, texts, or push notifications.
3. Access blocked: Online accounts are deactivated. For land-based venues, your photo is shared with security staff.
4. No new accounts: You cannot open new accounts with operators covered by your exclusion. Operators use identity verification to enforce this.
5. Commitment period: Self-exclusion cannot be reversed before the chosen duration expires. This is by design — it prevents impulsive decisions to resume gambling during vulnerable moments.

Limitations

Self-exclusion programs have some limitations to be aware of:

• They only cover licensed operators. Offshore or unlicensed sites are not part of any Canadian self-exclusion program.
• Enforcement at land-based venues relies on staff recognition. In large casinos, it is possible (though unlikely) to enter without being identified.
• Self-exclusion does not prevent you from buying lottery tickets at convenience stores in most provinces.
• The programs are your responsibility to initiate. Nobody will enroll you automatically, even if an operator suspects a problem.

Cooling-Off Periods vs Full Self-Exclusion

Some operators offer cooling-off periods (also called "time-outs" or "breaks") as a lighter alternative to full self-exclusion:

• Cooling-off: 24 hours to 30 days. Your account is temporarily suspended. Automatically reactivates after the period unless you extend or convert to self-exclusion.
• Self-exclusion: 6 months to permanent. A formal program with stricter rules and a reinstatement process.

If you are not sure whether you need self-exclusion, start with a cooling-off period. If you find yourself counting the days until it expires, that is a strong signal that a longer self-exclusion would be beneficial.

Additional Resources

Self-exclusion is one tool in a broader support system. Here are additional resources available to Canadian gamblers:

National Resources

• Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction: ccsa.ca — Information and research on gambling addiction
• Gamblers Anonymous Canada: gacanada.ca — Peer support groups following the 12-step model
• Responsible Gambling Council: responsiblegambling.org — Education and support resources

Provincial Helplines Summary

All helplines listed above are free, confidential, and available 24/7. You do not need to be in crisis to call — they are there for anyone who wants to talk about their gambling.

For more information, visit our responsible gambling page.