Responsible gaming

01 · Our position

Poker is not a way to make money

Gambling should be treated as paid entertainment with uncertain outcomes. No system, streak, feeling, table image or past result removes chance or guarantees a profit. A win does not make the next decision safer; a loss does not create a debt the game owes you.

Selquarino is an independent information website. It does not operate a casino or poker room, open player accounts, accept deposits, process withdrawals, sell chips, arrange bets, provide bonuses or register tournament participants.

02 · Before the first hand

Set limits that do not move

1. Choose a money limit. Use only discretionary entertainment money and assume it may all be lost. Include any entry fee, re-entry, add-on, food, drinks and transportation in one total-night budget.
2. Choose a time limit. Set a clear departure time and an alarm. Long sessions can make fatigue and frustration feel like strategy.
3. Remove access to extra funds. Leave credit cards at home, avoid cash advances and do not increase a bank limit for the night.
4. Plan transport first. Book a safe ride or know the final transit departure before drinking or playing.
5. Tell someone the plan. A friend can help keep a stopping point visible when the room gets busy.
6. Decide the break triggers. Stop immediately when you feel angry, rushed, impaired, desperate to recover a loss or tempted to borrow.

A limit is a decision made in a calm state. Changing it during play is not “adapting”; it removes the protection the limit was meant to provide.

03 · How chance works

Facts that protect decisions

“I am due for a win”

Past losses do not force a future win. Each shuffled deal is a new event, and short-term outcomes can vary widely.

“Skill removes the risk”

Skill can influence poker decisions over time, but it does not control the cards, other players or session result. Even strong play can lose, and a social tournament still carries risk.

“I can recover it with one more entry”

Chasing means gambling more to reverse an earlier loss. It increases exposure and often turns a planned entertainment cost into financial harm.

“Alcohol makes me play looser—in a good way”

Alcohol can reduce attention, inhibition and judgement. A decision that feels bold while impaired may simply be less controlled.

“Small amounts cannot become a problem”

Harm is not defined only by a dollar figure. Time, secrecy, stress, relationships, sleep and preoccupation also matter.

04 · Early warning signs

When entertainment is changing

One sign can be enough reason to pause. Pay attention if you or someone close to you is:

• spending more money or time than planned;
• returning quickly to recover losses or repeatedly re-entering;
• borrowing, using credit, delaying bills or selling belongings to gamble;
• hiding receipts, losses, locations or the amount of time spent playing;
• feeling restless, anxious or irritable when trying to stop;
• thinking about poker or gambling throughout work, school or family time;
• using play to escape grief, stress, loneliness, depression or conflict;
• drinking more to continue playing or making decisions while impaired;
• missing sleep, work, appointments or commitments;
• believing a win is the only solution to a financial problem; or
• experiencing relationship conflict, shame, hopelessness or thoughts of self-harm connected to gambling.

You do not need to wait for a crisis or accept a label before asking for help. Support services can discuss risk, practical barriers and next steps confidentially.

05 · Pause and reset

A practical break plan

If gambling feels hard to control, make the next step smaller and immediate:

1. Leave the table or venue; do not wait for a “better” result.
2. Move remaining money into an account used for essential expenses, ideally with support from someone you trust.
3. Remove gambling apps, promotional messages and saved payment methods.
4. Ask the relevant venue or provincial operator about voluntary self-exclusion and what locations or platforms it covers.
5. Tell a trusted person what is happening and ask for a specific kind of help, such as transport, account oversight or company during a support call.
6. Contact a qualified provincial service even if you are unsure whether the situation is “serious enough.”

Self-exclusion is a useful barrier, not a complete care plan. Combining practical barriers with counselling, peer support, financial advice and help from trusted people can provide stronger protection.

06 · In a bar setting

Alcohol and safer decisions

Poker and nightlife can overlap, but alcohol makes planning more important. Alternate with water, eat, choose zero-proof options, do not accept pressure to keep drinking and stop playing if your judgement feels different. A person who appears impaired should not drive, should not be encouraged to wager and may need help getting home safely.

Never mix gambling money with a bar tab in your mental budget. Track both. If you cannot accurately state what you have spent, the safest move is to stop.

07 · Supporting someone

For family and friends

Choose a calm moment, describe specific changes you have noticed and listen without shaming. Avoid arguing about whether the person has a “real problem.” Focus on impact and safety. You can offer to sit with them during a support call or help identify barriers, but you cannot make the change for them.

• Do not lend money to replace gambling losses or pay a gambling debt without professional financial guidance.
• Protect shared finances: review accounts, limits, important documents and access with appropriate legal or banking advice.
• Do not cover up missed work, threats or illegal behaviour.
• Set boundaries you can maintain and explain them clearly.
• Seek support for yourself; Canadian gambling services commonly assist affected family members as well as the person who gambles.

08 · Age protection

No underage participation

Selquarino is restricted to visitors aged 18 or older. Live venues must apply the legal age and identification rules relevant to their province, liquor licence, gaming authorization and event. A higher minimum than 18 may apply. Never provide a minor with identification, funds, transportation or an account to bypass age controls.

Parents and guardians can keep payment methods secure, use device-level content controls, discuss gambling advertising critically and make clear that play is not a normal way to earn income. If a young person is already involved, contact a provincial health or community service for age-appropriate support.

09 · Free Canadian resources

Talk to someone now

Support can be confidential, and you do not need to be certain you have a gambling problem before calling. Service hours and delivery methods can change; the official links below provide the most current information.