Responsible Gaming

Gambling Is Entertainment, Not a Source of Income

At espectacle.ca, we believe gambling should always be a fun and voluntary form of entertainment — never a way to earn money, pay off debts, or solve financial problems. The outcome of every game is determined by chance. No strategy or system can guarantee a win. Always set a budget you can afford to lose, and treat any money spent as the cost of the entertainment itself.

Age Verification

Gambling is strictly for adults. You must be at least 18 years old, or meet the legal gambling age for your province or territory within Canada (which may be 19 in some regions). Underage gambling is illegal and can lead to serious consequences. We encourage all players to confirm their local legal age before participating. Operators are required to verify age and identity as part of their standard account setup.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can develop gradually. If you recognize any of the following signs in yourself or someone you care about, it may be time to seek help:

• Chasing losses — trying to win back money you have lost.
• Hiding gambling activity from family or friends.
• Lying about the amount of time or money spent gambling.
• Gambling until your last dollar is gone.
• Borrowing money, selling possessions, or using funds needed for essentials to gamble.
• Neglecting work, school, family, or social responsibilities because of gambling.
• Feeling anxious, guilty, irritable, or depressed after gambling.
• Being unable to stop or cut back, even when you want to.
• Gambling to escape from stress, anxiety, or other problems.
• Needing to gamble with larger amounts to feel the same excitement.

Self-Help Tools

Most reputable gambling platforms, including those related to Stake, offer practical tools to help you stay in control. These tools can usually be activated directly from your account settings:

• Deposit limits — set a maximum amount you can add to your account per day, week, or month.
• Loss limits — cap the total amount you can lose over a chosen period.
• Reality checks — receive pop-up reminders of how long you have been playing and how much you have spent.
• Self-exclusion — block access to your account for a set period (from days to permanent).
• Cooling-off periods — temporarily pause your ability to gamble for a short break.
• Account closure — permanently close your account if you decide to stop completely.

We strongly encourage you to use these tools before gambling becomes problematic, not after.

Support Organizations

If you need confidential help, advice, or just someone to talk to, please contact the appropriate organization for your country:

Canada

• Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) — provides resources, support, and information across Canada.

United Kingdom

• GamCare — offers free information, support, and counseling for anyone affected by problem gambling.
• GamStop — free self-exclusion service for UK-licensed online gambling sites.

Australia

• Gambling Help Online — 24/7 free and confidential support for Australians.

United States

• National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) — helpline and resources for US residents.

Germany

• Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) — the Federal Centre for Health Education, offering help and information on gambling addiction.

For other countries, please search for your national or local responsible gambling organization. Most jurisdictions provide a free helpline and online support.

Seek Help Now

If you have a problem with gambling — or if you think a friend or family member does — please do not wait. Reach out to one of the organizations listed above. Help is free, confidential, and available 24/7 in many regions. Gambling should never harm your health, relationships, or finances. You are not alone, and recovery is possible.