Responsible Gaming

At Canada Draws Today, we are committed to promoting responsible gaming and providing a safe, enjoyable lottery experience for all our customers. Playing the lottery should be fun entertainment, not a way to make money or solve financial problems. This page provides information about responsible gaming practices, self-assessment tools, and resources for support if you or someone you know is experiencing gambling-related difficulties.

1. Our Commitment to Responsible Gaming

Canada Draws Today takes responsible gaming seriously. We believe that lottery gaming should be:

• Entertainment: Playing should be enjoyable and recreational, not a source of stress or financial strain
• Affordable: You should only spend what you can comfortably afford to lose
• Balanced: Gaming should not interfere with work, relationships, or other important aspects of life
• Informed: You should understand the odds, rules, and risks associated with lottery gaming
• Safe: Minors and vulnerable individuals should be protected from gambling harm

We implement comprehensive responsible gaming policies and provide tools to help you maintain control over your gaming activities. Our staff receives regular training on responsible gaming practices and problem gambling awareness.

2. Understanding the Risks

While most people enjoy lottery gaming responsibly as a form of entertainment, it's important to understand that gambling does carry risks. Some individuals may develop problematic gambling behaviors that can lead to negative consequences.

2.1 What is Problem Gambling?

Problem gambling is characterized by difficulties in limiting money and/or time spent on gambling, which leads to adverse consequences for the gambler, others, or the community. Problem gambling exists on a continuum, ranging from:

• Low Risk: Occasional negative consequences with maintained control over gambling
• Moderate Risk: More frequent negative consequences with some loss of control
• Problem Gambling: Significant difficulties limiting gambling with serious negative consequences

2.2 Warning Signs

Be aware of these warning signs that may indicate problematic gambling behavior:

• Spending more money on lottery tickets than you can afford
• Chasing losses by purchasing more tickets to try to win back money lost
• Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund lottery purchases
• Lying to family or friends about how much you spend on lottery tickets
• Neglecting work, family, or personal responsibilities due to lottery activities
• Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when unable to play
• Using lottery gaming as an escape from problems or negative emotions
• Experiencing relationship conflicts related to your lottery spending
• Thinking constantly about lottery draws and planning your next purchase
• Feeling guilty or remorseful after purchasing lottery tickets

If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or someone you know, it may be time to seek help or use our responsible gaming tools.

3. Self-Assessment Tools

Honest self-reflection is the first step toward maintaining healthy gaming habits. Ask yourself the following questions:

For a more comprehensive assessment, we recommend using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) available through the Canadian Problem Gambling Index. This validated tool can help you better understand your level of risk.

4. Responsible Gaming Tools

Canada Draws Today provides several tools to help you maintain control over your gaming activities:

4.1 Deposit Limits

Set daily, weekly, or monthly limits on how much money you can deposit into your Canada Draws Today account. Once you reach your limit, you will not be able to add more funds until the next period begins. To set or modify deposit limits:

• Log in to your account
• Go to Account Settings > Responsible Gaming
• Select "Set Deposit Limits"
• Choose your preferred limit amounts

Important: Limit increases are subject to a 24-hour cooling-off period before taking effect. Limit decreases take effect immediately. You can tighten or remove limits at any time, but loosening limits requires the waiting period.

4.2 Spending Limits

Set limits on the total amount you can spend on lottery tickets over specific time periods. This ensures you don't exceed your entertainment budget regardless of how many deposits you make.

4.3 Time Limits

Set limits on how much time you spend on our platform each day or week. You'll receive notifications when you're approaching your time limit, and access will be restricted once the limit is reached.

4.4 Reality Checks

Enable pop-up reminders that appear at intervals you choose to alert you about how long you've been playing and how much you've spent. These reminders help you maintain awareness of your gaming activity.

4.5 Cool-Off Periods (Temporary Self-Exclusion)

Take a short break from gaming by requesting a cool-off period of 24 hours to 30 days. During this time:

• Your account will be temporarily disabled
• You cannot purchase lottery tickets
• You will not receive marketing communications
• You can still access your account to check past tickets and claim prizes
• Your account will automatically reactivate after the cool-off period expires

4.6 Self-Exclusion

If you need a more substantial break, you can self-exclude from Canada Draws Today for a minimum period of 6 months, up to a maximum of permanent exclusion. Self-exclusion is a serious commitment that means:

• Your account will be closed and cannot be reopened during the exclusion period
• You will not be able to create new accounts
• All marketing communications will stop
• Any active subscriptions will be cancelled
• You can withdraw your account balance
• The exclusion cannot be reversed during the chosen period

To request self-exclusion, contact our customer support team at [email protected] or call 1-888-CDT-DRAW. We will process your request immediately and confirm the exclusion in writing.

4.7 Activity Statements

Access detailed statements showing your complete gaming history, including all deposits, purchases, winnings, and losses. These statements help you track your spending patterns and make informed decisions about your gaming.

5. Tips for Responsible Gaming

Follow these guidelines to ensure your lottery participation remains enjoyable and within your control:

5.1 Set a Budget

Before you start playing, decide how much money you can afford to spend on lottery tickets. Treat this as entertainment spending, like going to a movie or dining out. Never spend money that is needed for essential expenses like rent, utilities, food, or bills.

5.2 Set Time Limits

Decide in advance how much time you'll spend on lottery activities and stick to it. Don't let lottery gaming interfere with work, family time, or other important activities.

5.3 Don't Chase Losses

Accept losses as the cost of entertainment. Never try to win back money you've lost by spending more than your budget allows. Remember that each draw is independent, and past results don't influence future outcomes.

5.4 Keep Perspective

Understand that lottery games are designed for entertainment, not as a way to make money. The odds of winning large prizes are very low. Play for fun, not with the expectation of winning.

5.5 Take Regular Breaks

Step away from lottery gaming regularly to maintain perspective and avoid developing compulsive behaviors. Use our cool-off feature if you feel you need a break.

5.6 Balance Your Life

Maintain a healthy balance between lottery gaming and other activities. Continue to invest time in relationships, hobbies, work, and physical activity.

5.7 Never Gamble Under Influence

Don't purchase lottery tickets when you're under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as this can impair your judgment and lead to excessive spending.

5.8 Don't Borrow Money

Never borrow money to purchase lottery tickets. If you find yourself needing to borrow money for gaming, this is a serious warning sign of problem gambling.

5.9 Keep Track of Your Spending

Regularly review your account statements to understand how much you're spending. Use our activity tracking tools to maintain awareness of your gaming patterns.

5.10 Be Honest with Yourself and Others

If you're struggling to control your lottery spending, be honest about it with yourself and trusted friends or family members. Don't hide or minimize your gaming activities.

6. Understanding Lottery Odds

It's important to understand the odds of winning before participating in lottery games. While the excitement of potentially winning large prizes is part of the appeal, the reality is that odds of winning major jackpots are extremely low.

Understanding these odds helps you maintain realistic expectations and make informed decisions about your lottery participation. Remember that each play is independent, and buying more tickets only marginally increases your overall odds of winning.

7. Youth Protection

Canada Draws Today is committed to preventing underage gambling. Lottery participation is restricted to individuals aged 19 or older (or the legal gambling age in their province). We employ strict age verification measures, including:

• Mandatory age verification during account registration
• Document verification for all new accounts
• Age verification modals on all pages
• Regular audits to detect and prevent underage access

If you suspect that a minor is using our services, please report it immediately to [email protected].

Parents and Guardians: Please ensure that your payment methods and devices are secured against unauthorized access by minors. Talk to young people about the risks of gambling and set a good example with your own gaming behavior.

8. Help and Support Resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing gambling-related problems, help is available. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

8.1 National and Provincial Resources

8.2 Online Resources

• Responsible Gambling Council: www.responsiblegambling.org - Education, research, and resources about responsible gambling
• Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction: www.ccsa.ca - Information and resources on gambling and addiction
• Gamblers Anonymous: www.gamblersanonymous.org - Peer support fellowship for problem gamblers
• Gam-Anon: www.gam-anon.org - Support for family members of problem gamblers

8.3 Professional Treatment Services

Problem gambling is a treatable condition. Many provinces offer specialized treatment programs through mental health services. Contact your provincial helpline for referrals to:

• Individual counseling
• Group therapy programs
• Family counseling services
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) programs
• Residential treatment programs

8.4 Financial Counseling

If gambling has created financial difficulties, free financial counseling is available through:

• Credit Counselling Society: 1-888-527-8999 or www.nomoredebts.org
• Money Mentors: 1-888-294-0076 or www.moneymentors.ca

9. For Friends and Family

If you're concerned about someone's gambling behavior, here are some suggestions:

9.1 Recognizing the Signs

Be alert to these warning signs in your loved one:

• Unexplained financial problems or requests for money
• Secretive behavior about spending or time away from home
• Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
• Neglecting work or family responsibilities
• Defensive or angry reactions when questioned about gambling

9.2 How to Help

• Choose a calm, private time to express your concerns
• Use "I" statements to describe how their behavior affects you
• Avoid judgment, blame, or lecturing
• Listen without interrupting when they respond
• Offer support and encourage them to seek help
• Provide information about available resources
• Set boundaries to protect yourself and your finances
• Consider attending Gam-Anon meetings for family support

9.3 Taking Care of Yourself

Supporting someone with a gambling problem can be emotionally draining. Remember to:

• Seek support for yourself through counseling or support groups
• Protect your own financial security
• Maintain boundaries and don't enable the gambling
• Take time for self-care and activities you enjoy
• Remember that you cannot control the other person's behavior

10. Our Ongoing Commitment

Canada Draws Today continually reviews and improves our responsible gaming practices. We stay informed about the latest research and best practices in problem gambling prevention and treatment. Our commitment includes:

• Regular staff training on responsible gaming and problem gambling awareness
• Continuous improvement of our responsible gaming tools and features
• Collaboration with responsible gaming organizations and treatment providers
• Supporting research into problem gambling prevention and treatment
• Transparent communication about odds, rules, and risks
• Strict compliance with all gaming regulations and industry standards

11. Contact Our Responsible Gaming Team

If you have questions about responsible gaming, need help using our tools, or want to discuss concerns about your own or someone else's gambling, please contact our dedicated Responsible Gaming team:

Remember: Lottery gaming should be fun, affordable entertainment. If it's becoming a problem, help is available. Taking action now can prevent more serious difficulties in the future.