Responsible Gaming
VHL Ontario Limited (the "Company") is dedicated to providing its members with a responsible gaming environment. Not only is it our mission to provide our members with the most entertaining gambling experience but it is also our duty to help prevent compulsive usage of and underage access to our gaming products. As a responsible, regulated gaming company, we comply with all guidelines published by eCOGRA. eCOGRA ensures that approved gaming offerings are properly and transparently monitored to provide player protection.
We have implemented the following company policies and tools:
Protection of minors
In line with Ontario gambling legislation, the standards of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (“AGCO”) and the policies of Internet Gaming Ontario, the Company does not allow anyone under the age of 19 to play its casino or poker games or to place bets through its sports betting products. Minors are not allowed to participate in gambling activity at 888.
Our casino and poker room as well as out sports betting product are not designed to attract children or adolescents. We actively discourage and track persons under the age of 19 who attempt to play at our websites. We use sophisticated verification systems which can identify minors who log in to our software.
Nevertheless, we recognize that the internet is readily accessible in many homes around the world. As a result, gaming companies and parents must work together to protect children from underage gambling. To ensure the safety of your children, we recommend installing filtering software to block minors from accessing certain websites and programs.
Below are links to some such providers and software:
Tips for parents:
- Do not leave children unattended near your computer when betting software is running.
- Protect your gambling programs with password access.
- Do not allow persons under 19 to participate in any gambling activity.
- Keep your username, password and deposit method details out of the reach of children.
- Educate your children about the legality and the potential damage of underage gambling.
- Take particular care regarding the use by minors of facilities such as mobile devices.
Unfortunately, no system is foolproof. If you know a person under the age of 19 who is registered with us, please notify our Operations Department using the chat function on site.
Preventing Compulsive Gambling
The following questions can help identify when your gambling behaviour has become a concern:
- Do you gamble to escape from problems in your life (boredom, unhappy home life, etc.)?
- Do you often gamble for longer or spend more than you planned?
- Do you chase losses or feel you need to win back money you have lost?
- Have you borrowed money, sold items, or used money needed for bills or essentials to gamble?
- Have you hidden or lied about how much time or money you spend gambling?
- Is gambling affecting your work, studies, relationships, or responsibilities?
- Do you feel guilty, worried, or unable to stop after gambling?
If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, it may be a sign that gambling is becoming difficult to control. You could consider setting limits, taking a Time Out, self-excluding, or contacting one of the support organisations listed below.
Support and Advice
Gambling problems are far-reaching and can have a significant impact on people's lives.
If you're experiencing difficulty in controlling your level of gambling and want to seek help and advice on how to manage your levels of gambling, or if you're concerned about a friend or family-member, we recommend the gambling charities below:
ConnexOntario
Responsible Gambling Council
Gamblers Anonymous
Gambling Therapy Helpline
Debt Management
If you are worried about debts and need support on how to manage your finances, you can contact the Credit Counselling Centre for support: https://nomoredebts.org/
The Canadian Government also provides advice on how to get help from a Credit Councillor via their website: https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/debt/debt-help.html
Safer Gambling Tips
Advice and Tips to help manage your play.
- Set a budget before you start and only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
- Decide how long you want to gamble for and take regular breaks.
- Keep gambling balanced with other interests, responsibilities, friends, and family.
- Use account limits that feel realistic and comfortable before gambling starts to feel difficult to manage.
- Treat gambling as entertainment, not as a source of income.
- Don't turn to gambling as an alternative source of income or a way to pay back a debt.
Gambling Myths
When playing, it’s important to make sure you have an understanding some of the common myths people believe around gambling. You can find more information on gambling myths here.
Safer Gambling Limits
We have a number of responsible gaming tools on site to help you manage your play. When setting a limit, think about what values you feel comfortable with, and are realistic.
If you have more than one limit set, the most restrictive limit will always take precedence.
Control Centre
You can access all your Safer Gambling tools at any time you are logged into the site via the Control Centre. Accessed via the shield icon in the site header, you will find all our tools here, along with information on your activity, FAQs and useful links.
Deposit Limits
Deposit limits help you control how much money you can add to your account. You can set a deposit limit at any time afterwards through the Control Centre.
You can choose a daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limit.
Once your limit is set, you will not be able to deposit more than your chosen amount during the relevant period.
If you reduce your deposit limit, the change will apply immediately. Requests to increase a deposit limit are subject to a 24-hour cooling-off period before the increase can take effect.
Loss Limits
Loss limits help you control how much money you can lose on your account. You can set a loss limit at any time afterwards through the Control Centre.
You can choose a daily, weekly, or monthly loss limit.
Once your limit is set, you will not be able to lose more than your chosen amount during the relevant period.
If you reduce your loss limit, the change will apply immediately. Requests to increase a loss limit are subject to a 24-hour cooling-off period before the increase can take effect.
Playing Time Limit
The Playing Time limit helps you control how much time you spend logged into your account. You can set a Playing Time limit at any time afterwards through the Control Centre.
You can choose a daily, weekly, or monthly time limit.
Once your limit is set, you will not be able to play on your account for more than your chosen time during the relevant period.
If you reduce your time limit, the change will apply immediately. Requests to increase a time limit are subject to a 24-hour cooling-off period before the increase can take effect.
Understanding your level of play
Curious about your playing style and want to get an idea of how positive your play is? We have a quick and easy anonymous Responsible Gaming Quiz to help you understand your playing habits.
Reversing Withdrawal Preferences
You may set your Reverse Withdrawal Preferences at any time via the Control Centre.
If you choose to turn off the ability to reverse pending withdrawal requests, you will no longer be able to reverse any of your current or future pending withdrawal requests.
If you choose to turn on this ability again, it will not take effect for 7 days.
Please note that the preferences you set on this website only apply to your account with this website, not any other website owned or operated by us in connection with our registration with the AGCO.
Take a Break
If you wish to take a break and suspend your use of your account, you can request one of the following:
- One day
- Seven days
- One month
- Two months
- Three months
At the end of your Break period, your account will automatically reopen.
New accounts you might attempt to open on such websites when you have "Taken a Break" during the break period may also be suspended or cancelled to the extent detected by us. You can request a "Take a Break" period at any time via the Control Centre on site.
Operator Self-Exclusion
If, at any stage, you become concerned about your gambling behaviour, you can request self-exclusion for a period of six months, one year, five years or for a lifetime. Should you choose to self-exclude from the websites operated by us in connection with our registration with the AGCO, we shall immediately log you out of your account(s) to the extent directed by you and you shall be unable to log in for the duration of your exclusion, in accordance with the provisions of the User Agreement and the applicable regulations and standards.
Any open bets or future gaming transactions which you have made which will occur in the future will be cancelled. Upon your request, we will return the balance of the unused cashable funds in your account to you, subject to the Withdrawal Policy.
You will not be able to reopen your account until after your exclusion period has ended.
If you wish to reactivate your account after the self-exclusion period has ended, you must contact our Support Team via the chat function on site. There will be a one day cooling-off period before we are able to provide you access to your account.
While your account is excluded, you are not permitted to open or use any other accounts with us. If any additional accounts created, we will close them as soon as identified.
Upon registering for self-exclusion, you shall be provided with resources and information about where to get help, and opted out of marketing, incentives or promotions for the duration of the self-exclusion period.
We recommend that you uninstall our software from your PC, delete any gambling apps on your mobile or tablet and turn off push notifications relating to gambling during your Self-Exclusion.
BetGuard lets you opt out of all regulated online gambling in Ontario. It’s your decision and it’s both simple and secure.
BetGuard is available to those 19 or older. A player account is not required. Enrolling in BetGuard is separate from any self-exclusion you may have arranged directly with VHL Ontario Limited.
BetGuard is a player support tool provided by iGaming Ontario, an agency of the Government of Ontario. If you have any questions, visit http://BetGuard.ca or call 1-833-776-7171 (toll-free).
Game History
You can view your game history via your account page or it will be made available via the game itself.
Use of Our Responsible Gaming Tools
You may only use our responsible gaming tools as specifically stated in this Responsible Gaming Policy and as applicable to you. We are unable to process any requests to use our social responsibility tools provided by any other means (for example by SMS, WhatsApp or through social networks such as Facebook).
Social Media Gambling Adverts
If you’ve decided to stop gambling or take a break, constantly seeing gambling ads on social media can feel frustrating and discouraging. The good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce your exposure to gambling-related content online.
Train the Algorithm
Most social media platforms allow you to give feedback on the content you see. If a gambling ad appears, click the three dots on the post and select options such as “Not interested” or “Report ad.” Over time, this helps train the platform’s algorithm to show you fewer similar ads and posts.
Limit Ads
Many social media platforms also allow users to adjust their ad preferences and opt out of certain types of gambling-related advertising. Check your account’s privacy or advertising settings to manage the types of content you see.
Mute Specific Words
Some platforms allow you to mute or filter specific words and phrases. Adding terms such as “gambling,” “bet,” “betting,” “casino,” and similar keywords can help reduce the amount of gambling-related content that appears in your feed.
App Specific Guidance
Limit Ads: Navigate to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Meta Accounts Centre> Ad Preferences > Ad Topics > Special Topics, and Deselect "Gambling".
X
Limit Ads: Go to Your Privacy Settings > Interests From X > Toggle Off ‘Sports Betting.'
Mute Words and Phrases: Settings and Privacy > Privacy and Safety > Mute and Block > Muted Words.
Limit Ads: Navigate to Settings and Activity > Accounts Centre > Ad Preferences > Ad Topics > Special Topic > Deselect “gambling.”
Mute Words and Phrases: Settings and Activity > Hidden Words.
TikTok
Limit Ads: Navigate to Your Profile > Click the Three Lines in the Right Corner > Settings and Privacy > Ads > Manage Ad Topics > Other > Toggle ‘Real Money Gaming’ off.
Mute words and phrases: Settings and Privacy > Content preferences > Filter video keywords.
Bluesky
Unfortunately, Bluesky doesn’t have a specific way to turn off gambling ads. However, if you see a gambling ad, click the three dots and click “not interested” or “report,” which will stop the algorithm showing similar ads to you.
YouTube
Limit Ads: Go to My Ad Centre > Make Sure Personalised Ads Are Turned on > Customise Ads > Sensitive, Then Toggle "Gambling" to "See Fewer."
Snapchat
Snapchat does not provide a category-level block (e.g., gambling, alcohol, etc.). The only control available is reducing how much data is used to target ads.
Instead, if you see a gambling ad, press down to report it, and you will start to see less content like this.