What “playing responsibly” means
Playing responsibly means treating a lottery ticket, a bingo card or a sports bet as a leisure expense, the same way you would a night at the movies. The money you put into gambling is an amount you are prepared to lose, not an investment. The time you spend playing stays a small part of your week rather than the thing that shapes it.
Every game of chance is designed so that the operator keeps a share of the money wagered over time. No strategy, number system or “lucky streak” changes that. Keeping it in mind makes it easier to play for fun instead of trying to win money back.
For adults 18 and over
In Québec, you must be 18 to buy a lottery ticket, enter a casino or place a bet. The content on 1otoquebec.com is intended for adults only. If minors live with you, avoid giving them tickets, even as gifts, and keep your online access secure.
Practical guidelines
Set a budget before you play
Pick an amount per week or per month, starting from what is left once rent, groceries and bills are covered. That amount does not change mid-session. When it is spent, you are done for the day, even if you feel like keeping going. Our article on gaming budgets walks through a simple way to stick to it.
Limit your time
Fast games such as slot machines and some online games run a new round every few seconds, and it is easy to lose track of time. Set an alarm, take breaks, and avoid playing late at night or when you are tired.
Never chase your losses
After a loss, the urge to win it back by betting more is the most common trap. A loss does not mean a win is coming: every draw and every round is independent of the ones before. Accepting that a session was a losing one is exactly what keeps you in control.
Keep gambling in its place
- Never play with borrowed money or on a credit card.
- Avoid playing to escape a worry, anger or boredom.
- Go easy on alcohol while you play; it lowers your guard.
- Keep other hobbies in your life so gambling does not become the main one.
Warning signs
Gambling problems often build up slowly. Some signs are worth stopping to think about:
- you bet larger amounts to get the same thrill;
- you think about gambling often, even while doing something else;
- you hide the time or money you spend on it from the people close to you;
- you have put off paying a bill so you could play;
- you get irritable when you try to cut back or stop;
- gambling is causing arguments at home.
Questions to take stock
These questions are not a diagnosis. They are a way to step back for a moment. Think about the past twelve months:
- Have you bet more than you could afford to lose?
- Have you gone back to try to win back money you lost?
- Have you borrowed money or sold something in order to gamble?
- Have you felt guilty about the way you gamble?
- Has someone close to you commented on the time or money you spend gambling?
- Has gambling caused you stress, anxiety or trouble sleeping?
- Have you tried to cut back without managing to?
If you answered yes to one or more of these, it may be worth talking to someone. The earlier you do, the easier it is to get back on track.
Where to get help
Jeu : aide et référence (Gambling: Help and Referral) offers a free, confidential listening, information and referral service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Counsellors speak with people who gamble and with their families, and can refer them to free treatment services in the public health network.
- Phone: 1 800 461-0140 (toll-free)
- Website: aidejeu.ca
If you are in distress or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 9-8-8, or 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Operator tools
The official operator’s online gaming platforms in Québec offer tools to help you manage your play: deposit or time limits, breaks and self-exclusion. You set these up directly in your player account with the operator. 1otoquebec.com has no player accounts and cannot turn them on for you.
Where 1otoquebec.com fits in
We sell nothing and have no interest in you playing more. Our pages explain how games work so you can make informed choices. You will find more answers in the FAQ.