Bet for fun, not for income
The healthiest way to approach betting is as paid entertainment — money you've set aside and are comfortable losing, in exchange for the enjoyment of the game. Treating gambling as a way to make money, chase losses or solve financial pressure is where it stops being fun and starts being a problem.
Tools that help you stay in control
Reputable platforms, Stake included, offer controls you can set before things get away from you:
- Deposit limits — cap what you can add over a day, week or month.
- Time-outs — take a short, fixed break from your account.
- Self-exclusion — lock yourself out for a longer period when you need to step away.
- Activity history — check what you've actually staked, not what you remember staking.
Warning signs worth noticing
Betting more than you planned, chasing losses, borrowing to play, hiding it from people close to you, or feeling anxious about it — any of these is a signal to pause. Recognising them early makes them far easier to act on.
Support in Canada
If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, free and confidential help is available across the country:
- ConnexOntario — support and referrals in Ontario, available 24/7.
- Provincial helplines and problem-gambling services operate across Canada — search your province's name with "problem gambling help line".
- Most platforms link directly to self-exclusion and support tools from your account settings.
Age matters: only adults who meet the legal gambling age in their province (19+ in most of Canada, 18+ in some) should bet. If you're under that age, this content isn't for you.