Self-exclusion is a voluntary agreement in which you ask a gambling operator or regulator to bar you from their venues or platforms for a set period. It is one of the most effective practical tools for taking a genuine break from gambling, because it puts a barrier between you and the activity that doesn’t depend on willpower in the moment. In Canada, self-exclusion is run province by province rather than nationally.
Self-Exclusion Programs Across Canada
Every province offers a way to bar yourself from gambling venues and, increasingly, regulated online sites. Programs are run by the provincial lottery or gaming authority. The table lists the main ones; enrolment is free and confidential.
| Province / region | Program & administrator |
|---|---|
| Ontario | OLG Self-Exclusion (OLG) for casinos and OLG.ca; regulated iGaming operators also offer their own self-exclusion under AGCO oversight. |
| British Columbia | BCLC Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program, supported by GameSense. |
| Alberta | AGLC Self-Exclusion Program covering land-based casinos and Play Alberta. |
| Quebec | Loto-Québec self-exclusion for casinos and its online platforms. |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Voluntary Self-Exclusion. |
| Atlantic Canada | Atlantic Lottery Corporation self-exclusion, administered with provincial casinos. |
How Self-Exclusion Works
You enrol with your provincial gambling authority — online, in person at a venue, or with a responsible-gambling advisor — provide identification, and choose a term. Once enrolled, the operator removes you from marketing lists, blocks your online accounts, and, at physical venues, works to detect and turn away excluded patrons. Many provinces now use facial-recognition technology to help enforce it.
The Main Provincial Programs
- Ontario — OLG’s My PlayBreak and the province’s regulated online market let you self-exclude from OLG venues and registered online operators; detected patrons are removed and added to a facial-recognition database.
- British Columbia — BCLC’s Game Break (part of the GameSense program) offers 6-month, 1-, 2-, or 3-year terms and covers casinos, community gaming, and PlayNow.com. You can enrol in person or virtually with a GameSense Advisor.
- Alberta — the AGLC’s self-exclusion program covers Alberta casinos and PlayAlberta.ca.
- Quebec — Loto-Québec’s self-exclusion program covers its casinos, gaming halls, and Espacejeux online platform.
- Most other provinces run equivalent programs through their provincial lottery or gaming corporation.
An Important Limitation
Provincial self-exclusion is not a single national register. Enrolling in one province’s program does not automatically block gambling in another province or on unlicensed offshore websites. Regulators such as BCLC openly encourage people to also take a break from any other sites they use. For that reason, self-exclusion works best combined with the tools below — and with choosing only licensed gambling websites, which are required to offer these safeguards.
Tools to Use Alongside Self-Exclusion
- Account-level deposit, loss, and time limits on every site you use.
- Device and network blocking software (such as Gamban or GamBlock) that prevents access to gambling sites and apps.
- Bank gambling-transaction blocks, now offered by several Canadian financial institutions.
- Removing saved payment details and uninstalling betting apps.
Getting Started
If you’re considering self-exclusion, the Responsible Gambling Council explains the process and links to each province’s program, and ConnexOntario (1-866-531-2600) can point you to the right service. Self-exclusion is often most effective as part of wider support — see our responsible gambling hub for the full picture.
Sources and Further Reading
The information on this page draws on Canadian public-health and regulatory sources. For the underlying research and official guidance, see:
- Responsible Gambling Council — Self-Exclusion.
- BCLC GameSense — Game Break self-exclusion.
- PlaySmart (OLG) — responsible gambling tools.
- Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction — Canada’s Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines.
If Gambling Is Causing Harm, Help Is Available in Canada
Support is free, confidential, and available across the country. If you or someone close to you is struggling, you don’t have to wait until things reach a crisis point.
- ConnexOntario — free, confidential help for gambling, alcohol, drugs, and mental health, 24/7 at 1-866-531-2600.
- 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline — call or text 9-8-8 any time if you or someone you know is in distress.
- Responsible Gambling Council — a Canadian non-profit with tools, self-assessments, and provincial resources.
- Read more across our guides, starting with the Responsible Gambling in Canada hub.