Responsible Gaming

Gambling is a form of entertainment, but it always carries the risk of financial loss. Understanding that risk is the foundation of playing responsibly.

Golden Star encourages every player to approach betting as a leisure activity, not a way to earn income or recover losses. Staying informed and using available control tools helps protect both your finances and your emotional well-being.

Key principles to keep in mind:

• Set a budget before you play and stick to it.
• Only gamble money you can afford to lose.
• Treat any winnings as a bonus, not an expected outcome.
• Take regular breaks to maintain perspective.
• Never chase losses. Losses are part of gambling and cannot be reliably recovered.
• Use deposit and wager limits to manage your spending.
• Keep track of the time you spend playing.
• Avoid gambling when you are stressed, upset, or under the influence of alcohol.
• Balance gambling activity with other hobbies and social commitments.
• Review your gaming habits periodically to make sure they remain healthy.

Gambling addiction can develop gradually, and many people do not notice the early warning signs. Knowing what to look for is a critical step toward getting the right support.

Common indicators of a gambling problem:

• You find it difficult to stop gambling, even when you intend to.
• You spend more money on gambling than you originally planned.
• You hide your gambling activity from family or friends.
• You feel restless or irritable when you try to cut back.
• You borrow money or sell possessions to fund your gambling.
• Gambling is interfering with your work, studies, or relationships.
• You return to gambling shortly after losing in an attempt to win back money.
• You feel anxious, depressed, or guilty about your gambling behaviour.
• You neglect personal responsibilities because of time spent gambling.
• You continue to gamble despite knowing it is causing you harm.

Gambling addiction is a recognized mental health condition. It is serious, and it deserves proper attention and care. Recognising these signs in yourself or someone you know is an important first step.

Addressing a gambling problem is possible, and many people successfully regain control of their habits. There are practical steps you can take right now.

Recommendations to help manage gambling behaviour:

• Acknowledge the problem. Recognising that gambling has become harmful is the most important step.
• Set strict deposit, loss, and wager limits directly through your account settings.
• Use the self-exclusion option to temporarily or permanently restrict access to your account.
• Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or counsellor for support.
• Contact a professional helpline or support service in your region.
• Remove payment methods linked to your gambling account to create a practical barrier.
• Replace gambling time with other activities that provide enjoyment and social connection.
• Block gambling websites using third-party filtering tools such as Gamban or BetBlocker.
• Keep a journal of your gambling sessions to identify patterns and triggers.
• Seek professional therapy or counselling, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which is proven to be effective for gambling addiction.

If gambling is affecting your life, professional support is available across Canada. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Canadian support organizations:

• ConnexOntario – Free mental health and gambling support for Ontario residents.
  https://www.connexontario.ca
• Problem Gambling Help Line (Ontario) – Free, confidential support available 24/7.
  1-888-230-3505
• Gambling Support BC – Confidential counselling and resources for British Columbia residents.
  https://www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca
• Alberta Gambling Help Line – Free, confidential support available around the clock.
  1-800-522-4700
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) – National resource for gambling addiction information and referrals.
  https://www.camh.ca
• Gamblers Anonymous Canada – Peer support groups available across the country.
  https://www.gamblersanonymous.org
• BetBlocker – Free tool to block access to gambling websites.
  https://betblocker.org
• Gamban – Software to block gambling platforms across all devices.
  https://gamban.com

If you are concerned about your gambling habits or need assistance activating responsible gaming tools, the support team is available to help. You do not need to manage this on your own.

Ways to contact support:

• Live Chat – Available directly on the Golden Star website for immediate assistance.
• Email – Reach the support team at [email protected] for non-urgent inquiries.
• Help Centre – Browse the on-site FAQ section for guidance on limit-setting, self-exclusion, and account controls.

All responsible gaming requests are handled with full confidentiality and without judgment.