What these sites do not provide. The operators listed are not registered with a Canadian regulator. There is no provincial complaints route, no national self-exclusion register covering them, and — on a Curaçao licence — no requirement that player funds be held separately from operating funds.
Warning signs. Increasing stakes to recover a loss. Playing longer than intended. Using money set aside for something else. Concealing play from people close to you. Strong irritation when unable to play.
Practical limits. Decide the amount before opening the site and stop there. Use a separate account holding only what can be lost. Set a deposit limit in the account before the first deposit rather than after. Never chase a loss.
Where to get help. ConnexOntario — 1-866-531-2600, free and confidential, 24 hours. Every province runs its own helpline, and the Responsible Gambling Council publishes self-assessment tools. If play no longer feels like a choice, stop and speak to one of them.