Play on your terms: limits, breaks and BetGuard

A great session at Razed starts with knowing your own limits, and a few simple tools make that easy. Provinces handle gambling in Canada, and Ontario adds a dedicated option for anyone who wants a complete break: the BetGuard self-exclusion register. Alongside it are lighter settings such as limits, reminders and short breaks, which keep you in charge while you keep playing. Here is how each one works, what it covers and how to choose between them.

BetGuard: one registration for regulated Ontario sites

BetGuard is iGaming Ontario's centralized self-exclusion program. Rather than applying only to the casino where you made the request, a single registration excludes you from all regulated iGaming sites in Ontario. You can choose a term of 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. Because the register spans the whole regulated market, you do not have to repeat the process site by site, and the exclusion still applies if you try another regulated brand in the province.

Application steps and forms are left out of this page because the program sets those details and they may change. BetGuard's own website at betguard.ca has the current procedure, and the AGCO publishes bulletins on the program, so those are the places to look for up-to-date information.

What BetGuard covers

BetGuard's reach is clear and specific: it covers regulated iGaming sites in Ontario. Sites without Ontario registration sit outside the program, so an exclusion cannot be expected to apply there, and other provinces rely on their own operator or lottery corporation programs. If you have chosen a break, it makes sense to stick with sites listed in iGaming Ontario's directory while it lasts. Device-level blocking software is a handy second layer that also reaches sites beyond the register, giving your decision wider coverage wherever you browse.

To see where the operator behind Razed stands, look it up yourself in iGaming Ontario's directory at igamingontario.ca. Compare the listed company names with the one in the site's terms, so you know exactly which protections apply to your account.

Lighter settings: limits, reminders and short breaks

You may not need a full exclusion to feel in control. Casino accounts usually include a mix of the settings below, and it pays to switch them on before you start playing:

• Deposit limit. Sets the most you can add over a day, a week or a month. Availability and maximums differ between operators, so check the account settings and pick a figure that suits your entertainment budget.
• Loss and wager limits. When available, these put a ceiling on net losses or total stakes for a set period, which helps you bank winnings instead of replaying them.
• Session limits and reality checks. After a time you choose, a pop-up shows how long you have been playing and how your balance has moved. It is a simple way to keep track of time.
• Cooling-off / time-out. Pauses your account for a short period. Unlike BetGuard, it covers just that one account with that one operator.
• Account self-exclusion. Closes your access for longer, though still at a single operator only.

The account settings are the place to see which of these options Razed provides and how long each one runs. Take a quick look before your first deposit so everything is set up from the start.

Lowering a limit and raising one

The handiest limits come down easily and go up slowly. Reductions often take effect right away, while increases may apply only after a waiting period, which gives you time to be sure about the change. Try adjusting a limit and see how the operator handles it, since that tells you a lot about how the tool is designed.

Finding the step that suits you

When an occasional long session is your only concern, a time reminder and a lower deposit limit may be all you need. If you have gone past your budget a few times, a cooling-off period offers some welcome space. And if you keep returning after deciding to stop, BetGuard is built for that situation in Ontario, while other provinces offer operator or lottery corporation programs. Pairing either one with a good conversation can help too.

Support beside the settings

Limits and exclusions manage access, while a conversation can help with what sits behind the urge to play. In Ontario, ConnexOntario offers free support on problem gambling at 1-866-531-2600, and you can also text CONNEX to 247247 or use its chat. Other provinces have their own lines. You will find more for Canadian readers on our responsible gambling page.

Common questions