A CHANCE FOR CHANGE
What is Self-Exclusion?
Voluntary Self-Exclusion is a self-help tool
offered by OLG to people who wish to limit
or stop their gambling. Participants make
a written commitment to stay away from all
How do I register for
Self-Exclusion?
gaming facilities in Ontario for the term of
their Self-Exclusion.
Additionally, Self-Exclusion participants will
Registering is simple and confidential.
stop receiving OLG marketing and promotional
If you choose to register for Self-Exclusion, you
materials, and they have access to dedicated
will have a private meeting with trained staff
information services at Responsible Gaming
who will help you through the process. You
Resource Centres (RGRCs) that link people to
can set up the meeting by talking to a gaming
professional counselling and specialized services.
employee or by calling or visiting a Responsible
Gaming Resource Centre. You can also contact
security at any slots and casinos facility in
Ontario to arrange registration at a gambling or
credit counselling office in your area. You can
attend the meeting on your own or you can bring
#PlaySmartOLG
someone with you — like a family member or
friend. At the meeting, your personal information
will be recorded and your picture will be taken.
Slots and Casinos Self-Exclusion
1-888-230-3505
www.problemgamblinghelpline.ca
To obtain this brochure in French
and other languages please call
1-800-387-0098 or visit PlaySmart.ca
PlaySmart.ca
“When I decided to self-exclude,
I was really making a contract
with myself to stop gambling.
Entering into the program
brought real significance to
that decision. Self-Exclusion
was central to my recovery from
problem gambling.”
Terry Finn, enrolled in Self-Exclusion program
Is Self-Exclusion right for me?
Self-Exclusion is a significant step. It’s
important to ask as many questions as you want
before deciding if Self-Exclusion is right for you.
Generally, people who self-exclude feel that it is
no longer in their best interest to keep gambling.
To find out if this is the right option for you, you
may want to consider:
• Is gambling causing problems with your
finances, health, or relationships?
• Will stopping or taking a break from gambling
help you feel more in control of your life?
• Are you willing to make a commitment to
yourself to change your gambling habits?
The decision to self-exclude should be carefully
considered. Some people find it useful to
combine Self-Exclusion with other support tools,
like gambling treatment programs, financial
counselling and relationship counselling.
Because the program is voluntary, the decision
to enter is entirely up to you.
Where can I register for Self-Exclusion?
Will I still receive marketing materials?
If you choose to enter into the Self-Exclusion
program, you can register at a location that you
feel most comfortable with. You can register:
• at any Ontario gaming facility with trained
personnel to guide you through the
registration process.
• at local community support centres with
counsellors who can provide specialized
information and support for debt management
and problem gambling.
No. Once an individual enrolls in the SelfExclusion program their name is flagged on the
gaming marketing databases and they will not
receive direct marketing materials. “Do Not
Contact” flags will also be put on their names
across Lottery, Bingo, and Corporate Marketing
databases that manage direct marketing
communications to players.
To find community support centres in your
area, call the Ontario Problem Gambling
Helpline (OPGH) at 1-888-230-3505 or
visit www.problemgamblinghelpline.ca
Can I register someone else for
Self-Exclusion?
How long does Self-Exclusion last?
OLG offers a choice of terms for the Self-Exclusion
program: six months, one year, or indefinite.
When you register, you will choose the term that
seems right for you. Unless you choose to re-enter
casino gaming by applying to reinstate, you will
remain registered in the Self-Exclusion program.
No. As the name suggests, Self-Exclusion is
voluntary and entry into the program can only
come from the person who wants to register. If
you have concerns about a loved one’s gambling,
information and support are available through these
options: Responsible Gaming Resource Centres at
gaming sites in Ontario, local gambling or financial
counsellors, or through the Ontario Problem
Gambling Helpline (1-888-230-3505 or email or
chat online at www.problemgamblinghelpline.ca).
A directory of Ontario service providers’ locations,
programs and contact information are available on
OPGH’s website by clicking on the Directory button.
Can I leave the Self-Exclusion program?
Who will know about my Self-Exclusion?
Which facilities are off limits if I
self-exclude?
Your personal information is confidential and will
only be used by the staff involved in administering
the program. The only additional people who will
know about your Self-Exclusion are those you
choose to tell.
Once you register for Self-Exclusion, you must
finish the term you have chosen. Some SelfExclusion participants decide to remain in the
program indefinitely. Others decide that they have
reached a point where they are ready to return to
a gaming facility. If you have selected “indefinite”
as your term of Self-Exclusion, you must be selfexcluded for a minimum of six months.
If you would like to come back to a gaming site
after your Self-Exclusion term has ended, you
must contact OLG and apply to reinstate.
Your Self-Exclusion will apply to all gaming sites
in Ontario. Self-Exclusion applies to all facilities
including restaurants and entertainment venues
within the site.
What happens if I enter the gaming site
while self-excluded?
The choice to self-exclude is serious. Gaming
sites have implemented facial recognition
technology. This technology helps to identify
anyone enrolled in the Self-Exclusion program
who attempts to re-enter an OLG gaming facility
by comparing their facial image with images
from security cameras. Should you return and
be detected, staff will assist you off-site, time
will be added to the term of your Self-Exclusion
and you may be charged with trespassing. If it
happens again, you may be fined, and will have
time added to your term of Self-Exclusion.
I still have questions. How can I find
out more?
The Responsible Gaming Resource Centre
at slots and casinos facilities in Ontario is a
good place to find out about Self-Exclusion,
responsible gambling and support programs
in your area. The RGRCs are independently
operated by the Responsible Gambling Council.