What should I do immediately if I feel my gambling is starting to get out of control?

Recognizing the feeling early — before things escalate — is genuinely the most useful position you can be in, because Ontario's regulated market gives you real, immediate tools to act on that instinct right now.

Use the tools built into your account first

Every regulated Ontario gaming site must meet the AGCO Registrar's Standards for Internet Gaming. At a minimum, operators are required to provide spend-limit and time-limit setting tools, plus the ability to take a short-term break or self-exclude for a longer term. Log into your account and set a deposit or loss limit today — not tomorrow. One important thing to know: under AGCO standards, if you later try to relax or remove a limit you've set, there's a mandatory cooling-off period of at least 24 hours before that change takes effect. That delay is intentional; it stops impulsive decisions from undoing a limit you set with a clear head.

Self-exclude across every Ontario platform at once with BetGuard

If you want to go further — and a lot of people in your situation find a clean break is the most effective move — Ontario now has a centralized solution. iGaming Ontario has launched BetGuard, a tool that enables individuals aged 19 and older to voluntarily opt out of all Ontario regulated online gaming platforms through one online portal. By opting out through BetGuard.ca, players are prevented from accessing their existing accounts, creating new accounts, or receiving marketing communications from any regulated igaming site in Ontario.

The available opt-out terms are 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, or a custom term. BetGuard also informs operators not to send direct marketing to individuals who have opted out. That last part matters — you won't be nudged back in by promotional emails while you're taking a break.

You can also confirm you're on a legitimate, regulated Ottawa-accessible site by looking for the iGaming Ontario and BetGuard logos. Every internet gaming website offered by a fully registered and approved operator in Ontario displays both the iGaming Ontario and BetGuard logos — seeing them tells you the site is managed by iGaming Ontario and regulated by the AGCO.

Talk to someone — Ottawa has specific support

ConnexOntario offers free, 24/7 confidential support, counselling referrals, and treatment options specifically for people struggling with problem gambling in the Ottawa region. It's a free and confidential phone, chat, texting, and email service that helps people in Ontario who need support and information about problem gambling services available in their community. You don't need a doctor's referral, and you can reach out at any time. Call 1-866-531-2600, text 247247, or use the live chat at connexontario.ca — all available around the clock.

The sequence that tends to work: set limits now, use BetGuard at betguard.ca if you want distance from all platforms at once, and call ConnexOntario to get connected with local Ottawa counselling. None of these steps require you to have hit rock bottom first — acting on an early instinct is exactly what these tools are designed for.