The tools at a glance
| Tool | What it does | Options | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deposit, loss and time limits | Caps how much you can put in, lose or spend playing | 24 hours, 7 days or one month | AGCO 2.23 |
| Raising or removing a limit | Only happens at your request, after a cooling-off period | At least 24 hours | AGCO 2.24 |
| A break | Stops you placing wagers for a set time | One day, one week, one month, two months or three months | AGCO 2.13 |
| Self-exclusion from one site | Logs you out and keeps you out of that site | Six months, one year or five years | AGCO 2.14 |
| Self-exclusion from every site | Keeps you out of every regulated site, including OLG's | Six months, one year, five years or a custom term | AGCO 2.14.1 and iGO |
Deposit, loss and time limits
Every regulated site must give you an easy way to set money and time limits. You get the option to set deposit and loss limits when you register, and the limit settings must be easy to find and change at any time after that. A deposit limit caps how much you can put into your account. A loss limit caps how much you can lose, meaning what you've spent minus what you've won.
Limits must be available for 24 hours, 7 days and one month. If you set more than one, say a daily and a weekly limit, the lowest one applies.
Raising or removing a limit is deliberately slower. The site can only do it at your request, after a cooling-off period of at least 24 hours (Standard 2.24), which gives you time to think it over.
Many sites add playtime reminders too. Betty, for example, has deposit, loss and playtime limits under Account, then Responsible Gaming, and PlayOJO has deposit limits and playtime reminders. Each of our reviews covers that site's own tools.
Taking a break
Every regulated site must let you take a short break of one day, one week, one month, two months or three months. Once your break starts, you can't place wagers until it ends (Standard 2.13).
A break is separate from self-exclusion and is meant for shorter pauses. Some sites let you log in during a break to withdraw your money. Betty, for one, says you can still log in to withdraw.
Self-exclusion from one site
Every regulated operator must run its own self-exclusion program, with terms of six months, one year and five years. When you self-exclude, the site must log you out immediately, keep you from logging in for the whole term and take reasonable steps to stop sending you marketing (Standard 2.14).
The program's terms must explain clearly what self-exclusion means for you and how to return to play safely afterwards. The AGCO has said it will revisit this site-level requirement within 12 months of the centralized program's launch.
Excluding yourself from every regulated site
Since May 14, 2026, iGaming Ontario has run a centralized self-exclusion program that covers every regulated online gambling site in Ontario, including OLG's. You sign up once, online, instead of excluding yourself site by site.
- Terms: six months, one year, five years or a custom term.
- Quick to take effect: iGO must add you to its registry no later than one hour after you sign up.
- Every site: regulated sites must log you out, block your existing accounts and stop you opening new ones.
- No marketing: within 24 hours, sites must take all reasonable steps to stop sending you marketing.
- Your money: sites must have a way to return your unused funds, automatically or when you ask.
Every regulated operator must take part (Standard 2.14.1). To sign up, start from iGaming Ontario's responsible gambling page. iGO has warned that third parties have made misleading statements about how to opt out, so find the program through iGaming Ontario's website, a regulated site or ConnexOntario.
Other protections on every site
- Net position: during a slots session, the site shows your total winnings minus your losses since the session started, in Canadian dollars (Standard 2.21).
- Time tracking: a way to keep track of how long you've been playing (Standard 2.22).
- Inactivity log-out: you're logged out, or your session ends, after a period of inactivity (Standard 4.30).
- Account history: deposits, withdrawals, balances, game history and totals won or lost for a session or period (Standard 3.15).
- Help information: a responsible gambling statement and ConnexOntario's number on the registration page and in your account (Standard 2.09).
Signs it's time to use them
ConnexOntario lists warning signs that gambling is becoming a problem, including:
- Hiding your gambling or spending from people close to you
- Gambling more often, for longer or with bigger bets
- Betting money you can't afford to lose
- Gambling more to win back what you've lost
- Borrowing money, missing bills or selling things to gamble
- Feeling irritable or low when you're not gambling
If any of these sound familiar, think about tighter limits, a break or self-exclusion, and reach out for support.
Where to get help
ConnexOntario provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day, for you or someone close to you. Call 1-866-531-2600, text CONNEX to 247247 or chat online at connexontario.ca.
Sources
We checked every fact in this guide against these sources on October 8, 2026. Rules and site details can change, so check a site's own terms before you play. Read how we research and fact-check.
- AGCO: Registrar's Standards for Internet Gaming (Standards 2.09, 2.13, 2.14, 2.14.1, 2.21, 2.22, 2.23, 2.24, 3.15 and 4.30)
- AGCO: Self-exclusion and breaks in play (updated May 14, 2026)
- AGCO: Information bulletin on standards for the centralized self-exclusion program (April 2026)
- iGaming Ontario: Player FAQs
- iGaming Ontario: Responsible gambling
- iGaming Ontario: News (May 14, 2026 program launch; September 10, 2026 notice about misleading third-party statements)
- ConnexOntario: Warning signs of a gambling problem
- Betty: FAQs
- PlayOJO Ontario