# Limits, breaks and self-exclusion, step by step

> Where to set limits and how to self-exclude in Ontario (BetGuard), Alberta (selfexclusion.ca), British Columbia (PlayNow) and Québec (Loto-Québec), with help lines.

Source: https://reviewstandings.com/set-limits-or-self-exclude-canada/
Updated: 2026-11-13

Set limits in your operator account before you deposit, and use self-exclusion if you need a longer stop. In Ontario that means BetGuard, with terms of 6 months, 1 year or 5 years; in Alberta, selfexclusion.ca; in British Columbia, the program on PlayNow; in Québec, Loto-Québec breaks of 1 to 89 days. Help lines are listed below.

## The steps

1. **Pick the tool.** Limit: a cap on deposits or losses over a period. Break: a short pause. Self-exclusion: a longer ban. Choose the least you need, and move up if it is not enough.
2. **Open your province's page.** Each province below has its own program; use the one for where you live.
3. **Set it, then check it.** Confirm the confirmation message or e-mail, and look the setting up again in your account.
4. **Tell someone.** A person you trust can help you keep to it.
5. **Keep the help line.** The numbers are in the table.

**Takeaway:** a limit set before you deposit is easier to keep than one set after a bad night.

## By province

**Limits, self-exclusion and help lines · official provincial pages · checked 2026-11-13**

| Province | Self-exclusion | Help |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario (19+) | BetGuard at betguard.ca since 2026-05-14; terms of 6 months, 1 year, 5 years; operators also run their own programs | ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600, SMS 247247 |
| Alberta (18+) | selfexclusion.ca (AGLC); covers registered iGaming sites | Call 211 |
| British Columbia (19+) | PlayNow program; required on PlayNow | Gambling Support BC 1-888-795-6111, 24 hours |
| Québec (18+) | Autoexclusion in the account or in person; breaks of 1 to 89 days | Jeu : aide et référence 1 800 461-0140 |
| Manitoba (18+) | Not confirmed as of 2026-11-13 | Not confirmed as of 2026-11-13 |

Operator tools, such as the limits each registered site offers, are not retold here; they will sit in the [responsible gambling tools dataset](https://reviewstandings.com/responsible-gambling-tools-by-sportsbook/).

## Ontario: BetGuard

BetGuard is a centralized program. The standards were published on 2026-04-02 and the program started on 2026-05-14. Read the steps on [betguard.ca](https://betguard.ca/gp/en/); we have not enrolled, so we describe no screens. More: [BetGuard in detail](https://reviewstandings.com/betguard-centralized-self-exclusion/).

## Alberta, British Columbia, Québec

- **Alberta:** start at [selfexclusion.ca](https://www.selfexclusion.ca/s/).
- **British Columbia:** the program sits on PlayNow, run by BCLC. Details of its terms: not confirmed as of 2026-11-13.
- **Québec:** Loto-Québec lists breaks of 1 to 89 days. A weekly deposit limit is mandatory on its platform, per our reference notes; we could not re-read that page, so confirm it there.

Gambling involves risk. Play responsibly. Need help? See [help lines by province](https://reviewstandings.com/rules-safety-and-help/).

## What we could not confirm

- The length of a Québec Autoexclusion term.
- Self-exclusion and help lines for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Atlantic Canada and the territories.
- Whether one provincial program covers sites outside its province.

## How we checked

1. We took names, dates and terms from official program pages.
2. We left a cell empty where the page gave no labelled value.
3. We did not enrol in any program.

## Sources

- [BetGuard](https://betguard.ca/gp/en/) and [selfexclusion.ca](https://www.selfexclusion.ca/s/)
- [Gambling Support BC](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/gambling-fundraising/gambling-support-bc)
- [Jeu : aide et référence](https://aidejeu.ca/en/) and [iGaming Ontario help page](https://igamingontario.ca/en/player/find-help)

## What changed

- 2026-11-13: first version; live walk-through still to do.

## FAQ

**How long can I self-exclude in Ontario?**

Through BetGuard, the terms are 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. BetGuard started on 2026-05-14.

**How do I self-exclude in Alberta?**

Through selfexclusion.ca, the central program of Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), which applies on registered iGaming sites in the province.

**What can I do in Québec?**

Loto-Québec offers breaks of 1 to 89 days and an Autoexclusion option. We could not confirm the length of an Autoexclusion term as of 2026-11-13.

**Is a break the same as self-exclusion?**

No. A break, or time-out, is a short pause you can set yourself. Self-exclusion is a longer ban and is harder to undo.

**Who do I call if I need to talk to someone?**

Ontario: ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600 or SMS 247247. BC: Gambling Support BC 1-888-795-6111. Québec: 1 800 461-0140. Alberta: 211.