Responsible Gaming

1. Our Commitment

At My Maple North, we are committed to promoting responsible gaming practices and providing a safe environment for all users. We believe that lottery participation should be entertaining and conducted within personal limits. When it becomes problematic, we provide tools and resources to help.

This page outlines our responsible gaming policies, available tools, warning signs to watch for, and resources for those who need support.

2. Responsible Gaming Principles

2.1 Entertainment, Not Income

Lottery games are based on chance and should be viewed as entertainment only. They are not a reliable way to make money or solve financial problems. The odds of winning significant prizes are very low, and most participants will not win back their spending.

2.2 Play Within Your Means

Only spend money on lottery tickets that you can afford to lose. Never use funds intended for essential expenses like rent, utilities, food, or other necessities. Set a budget before you play and stick to it.

2.3 Keep It in Perspective

Lottery participation should be one small part of a balanced life that includes work, family, friends, and other recreational activities. If lottery games begin to dominate your thoughts or time, it may be a sign to take a step back.

2.4 Understand the Games

Before purchasing tickets, understand the rules, odds, and prize structures. Knowing how games work helps set realistic expectations and prevents disappointment.

3. Responsible Gaming Tools

We provide several tools to help you maintain control over your lottery participation:

3.1 Deposit Limits

Set daily, weekly, or monthly limits on how much money you can deposit into your account. Once set, limits cannot be increased for 24 hours, giving you time to reconsider any impulsive decisions.

3.2 Spending Limits

Control how much you spend on lottery tickets over specific time periods. These limits help ensure you stay within your budget.

3.3 Time Limits

Set reminders or limits on how long you spend on our platform. Taking regular breaks is healthy and helps maintain perspective.

3.4 Activity Tracking

Review your account history to see your spending patterns over time. Awareness is the first step in maintaining control.

3.5 Cooling-Off Period

Take a temporary break from your account for a period you choose (24 hours to 30 days). During this time, you will not be able to purchase tickets, but you can still access your account to check results or contact support.

3.6 Self-Exclusion

If you feel lottery participation has become problematic, you can self-exclude from our service for a minimum period of 6 months. Self-exclusion prevents you from accessing your account or creating new accounts. This option is available through your account settings or by contacting customer support.

4. Warning Signs of Problem Behavior

It's important to recognize when lottery participation may be becoming problematic. Consider whether any of these warning signs apply to you:

If several of these warning signs resonate with you, it may be time to seek support. Remember, recognizing a problem is a sign of strength, not weakness.

5. Self-Assessment

Answer these questions honestly to help determine if your lottery participation is balanced:

1. Do you spend more money on lottery tickets than you can afford to lose?
2. Have you borrowed money or used credit to purchase lottery tickets?
3. Has your lottery spending caused financial problems for you or your household?
4. Do you feel guilty, ashamed, or stressed about your lottery participation?
5. Have family members or friends expressed concern about your lottery activity?
6. Do you find it difficult to stop or reduce your lottery participation?
7. Have you lied to others about how much you spend on lottery tickets?
8. Do you often think about buying lottery tickets or checking results?
9. Has lottery participation negatively affected your work or relationships?
10. Do you play lottery games to escape problems or relieve negative feelings?

If you answered "yes" to several of these questions, consider reaching out for support. These questions are not a diagnostic tool but can help you reflect on your behavior.

6. Support Resources

Help is available if you have concerns about your lottery participation or someone else's. These organizations provide confidential support:

6.1 National Resources

6.2 Provincial Resources

6.3 International Resources

6.4 Crisis Support

If you are in immediate distress or experiencing a mental health crisis:

7. For Friends and Family

If you're concerned about someone else's lottery or gaming behavior:

7.1 How to Help

• Express your concerns calmly and without judgment
• Choose a good time and private setting for the conversation
• Use "I" statements: "I'm worried about..." rather than "You always..."
• Listen actively and show empathy
• Provide information about available resources
• Encourage professional help but don't force it
• Set boundaries to protect yourself if needed

7.2 What Not to Do

• Don't lecture, preach, or shame the person
• Don't enable the behavior by lending money or making excuses
• Don't try to control their behavior by threats or ultimatums
• Don't neglect your own well-being

Support groups like Gam-Anon provide help for family members and friends affected by someone else's gambling problem.

8. Minor Protection

Our services are strictly for individuals 19 years of age or older. We have implemented measures to prevent minors from accessing our services:

• Age verification during registration
• Regular account reviews to ensure compliance
• Educational materials about the importance of preventing underage participation
• Immediate account suspension if underage use is detected

9. Our Training and Policies

My Maple North staff receive regular training on responsible gaming practices, including:

• Recognizing signs of problem behavior
• Providing appropriate support and resources
• Respecting customer privacy while ensuring their well-being
• Implementing and explaining responsible gaming tools
• Handling self-exclusion requests sensitively and efficiently

We continuously review and update our policies to align with best practices in responsible gaming.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about our responsible gaming policies or need assistance with responsible gaming tools, please contact us:

Our customer support team is trained to handle responsible gaming inquiries with sensitivity and confidentiality.