The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) introduced a new safer gambling measure requiring online players under the age of 25 to set deposit limits as their level of engagement increases.
Key Takeaways
- OLG said it is bringing in deposit limits for some under-25-year-olds.
- The change is aimed at reducing gambling-related harm among younger adults.
- The news comes as the Ontario government is also looking at reducing sports betting ads.
The rules are designed to help younger players set boundaries and encourage safer gambling habits on digital gaming platforms. Under the measure, affected players must set a cap on the amount of money they can deposit into their accounts, choosing either a daily, weekly, or monthly limit.
OLG said the approach is based on research that identified people under 25 as potentially more vulnerable to gambling-related harm than older adults. The corporation described deposit limits as a precommitment tool that can help players define and stay within their own spending limits.
OLG president and CEO Duncan Hannay said the measure is intended to encourage players to consider how comfortable they are with their spending rather than to restrict individual choice.
“Requiring a deposit limit is not about removing choice; it’s about strengthening that choice by helping players to pause and consider what they are comfortable spending,” Hannay said. “OLG relies on research and best practices to guide how we engage with players and respond to emerging trends. This new measure is a practical, data-driven step to help players under 25 build safer play habits early.”
Supporting the new rules, Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho added that responsible gambling remains a priority for the provincial government.
“This initiative reflects the strong collaboration between government, agencies, and industry partners to strengthen player protections and ensure Ontario’s gaming market remains safe, responsible and trusted,” Cho said.
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Ontario reviewing gambling ad rules
The deposit limit comes as the Ontario government considers whether more action is needed to tackle online gambling advertising.
The provincial government recently voted down the Stop Harmful Gambling Advertising Act, a private member's bill introduced by Ontario Liberal lawmakers that sought to ban online gambling commercials.
Despite opposing the legislation, the government is taking a closer look at the gambling advertising rules.
Cho said discussions are underway with the Attorney General and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario regarding additional consumer protections.
Ontario currently bans celebrities from appearing in gambling advertisements unless the promotion is related to responsible gambling. The province has also introduced enhanced self-exclusion measures for players.
Recent research has highlighted a rise in gambling-related concerns across the province. A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found calls and contacts to gambling and addiction helpline ConnexOntario rose 300% following Ontario’s expansion of private online gambling.
To combat the rise in problem gambling, iGaming Ontario introduced BetGuard, a self-exclusion tool that allows Ontarians to exclude themselves from any Ontario online casinos.
