Understanding Problem Gambling
If gambling is affecting your daily life, it’s important to recognize warning signs. You may be developing a gambling issue if you:
✔ Spend more money or time gambling than intended.
✔ Neglect personal, social, or work responsibilities due to gambling.
✔ Experience anxiety, guilt, or distress related to gambling behavior.
✔ Hide gambling habits from family or friends.
✔ Borrow money to continue gambling or settle gambling-related debts.
✔ Believe that a major win will solve financial problems.
If any of these warning signs apply to you, we encourage you to use our self-regulation tools or seek external support.
How to Gamble Responsibly
To keep gambling safe and enjoyable, follow these best practices:
✔ Play for fun, not as a way to earn money.
✔ Learn the game rules and odds before placing bets.
✔ Set a gambling budget and stick to it—never wager money you cannot afford to lose.
✔ Avoid chasing losses, as this often leads to larger financial difficulties.
✔ Take breaks and balance gambling with other leisure activities.
✔ Establish time limits for your gaming sessions.
✔ Seek help if gambling becomes difficult to control.
Responsible Gaming Tools
PinStars Ontario offers a range of self-management tools that can be activated via account settings or by contacting our Support Team.
✔ Deposit Limits – Set a daily, weekly, or monthly cap on deposits.
✔ Loss Limits – Define the maximum amount you’re willing to lose in a given timeframe.
✔ Bet Limits – Restrict the size of your wagers per session.
✔ Session Time Limits – Set a cap on the amount of time you spend playing.
Once activated, these restrictions take immediate effect, while requests to increase limits require a 7-day cooling-off period before approval.
Taking a Break – Cool-Off & Self-Exclusion
✔ Cooling-Off Period – Temporarily suspend account access for a set period. Your balance and active bets remain intact, but you cannot log in until the period expires.
✔ Self-Exclusion – For those needing a longer break, self-exclusion is available for a minimum of six months up to five years.
✔ Account Closure – If you choose to permanently close your account, you may request this at any time. However, for those struggling with gambling addiction, self-exclusion is the preferred option.
Attempting to create a new account during a self-exclusion period is a violation of our Terms of Service and may lead to a permanent ban.
Preventing Underage Gambling
Gambling on our platform is strictly restricted to players 19 years and older. We implement stringent age verification measures to ensure compliance. Additionally, we encourage parents and guardians to use parental control software such as:
✔ Net Nanny (www.netnanny.com)
✔ CyberSitter (www.cybersitter.com)
If you suspect that a minor has accessed our platform, contact us immediately.
External Support & Resources
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, professional help is available:
✔ Gambling Therapy – Global support services.
✔ Gamblers Anonymous – A peer support network for addiction recovery.
✔ GamCare – UK-based assistance for problem gamblers.
✔ BetFilter / GamBlock – Software designed to block access to gambling sites.
For additional assistance, our Support Team is available 24/7.