Responsible Gambling

01Understanding Gambling Risks

Every casino game, from slots to live blackjack, is built with a house edge. Over time the casino keeps a share of what is wagered, so the long-term expected result for a player is a loss. Short winning streaks happen, but no strategy, system or betting pattern can change the underlying odds.

Treat the money you deposit as the price of an evening's entertainment, the same way you would think about a concert ticket or a dinner out. Never gamble with money set aside for rent, bills, groceries or debt repayment, and never play to recover losses or to solve a financial problem.

• Decide on a budget and a time limit before you start a session, and stop when you reach either one.
• Avoid playing when you are stressed, upset, tired or under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
• Take regular breaks; long sessions make it harder to keep track of time and spending.
• Balance gambling with other activities, friends and family.

02Minimum Age

You must be at least 18 years old to open an account and play at Stardustcasino. This is the legal gambling age in Alberta, and it applies to every game, promotion and feature on the site.

Age is confirmed as part of identity verification: we check your date of birth against a government-issued document before real-money play is allowed. Accounts that turn out to belong to anyone under 18 are closed. Read more about the process in our Terms and Conditions and How It Works.

If minors share your computer, phone or tablet, keep your login details private, log out after each session and consider parental-control software that blocks gambling sites.

03Recognizing Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can develop gradually, and it often feels manageable until it is not. Asking yourself a few honest questions from time to time is one of the simplest ways to notice a change early.

• Do you spend more money or time gambling than you planned to?
• Do you chase losses by depositing again to win back what you lost?
• Have you borrowed money, sold belongings or missed bills because of gambling?
• Do you feel restless, irritable or anxious when you try to cut back?
• Do you hide your gambling from family or friends, or feel guilty about it?
• Is gambling affecting your sleep, work, studies or relationships?

If you answered yes to any of these, consider setting stricter limits, taking a break or talking to someone. GameSense Alberta offers free, confidential support at 1-833-447-7523, and the tools in the sections below can be switched on from your account at any time.

04Deposit Limits

A deposit limit caps how much money you can add to your account over a chosen period. Once the limit is reached, further deposits are declined until the period resets, which makes it much harder to overspend in the heat of a session.

You choose the amount yourself in the Responsible Gambling section of My Account. Lowering a limit takes effect immediately. Raising or removing a limit only takes effect after a 24-hour waiting period, so the decision is made with a clear head rather than in the middle of play.

We recommend setting a deposit limit as soon as you open your account, before you make your first Interac deposit.

05Loss Limits

A loss limit sets the maximum net amount you are willing to lose over a period: your total wagers minus your winnings. When you reach it, you will not be able to place further bets until the period resets.

Loss limits work well alongside deposit limits, because they track what actually leaves your balance rather than what goes into it. As with every limit, a reduction is applied straight away and an increase or removal waits 24 hours before it becomes active.

Set or review your loss limit in My Account.

06Session Limits

Time passes quickly at the tables and on the reels. A session limit sets how long you can stay in a single playing session; when the time is up, the session ends and you are reminded to take a break.

Pick a length that fits your routine, for example the time you would normally spend on an evening out. Shortening the limit is immediate, while lengthening or removing it waits 24 hours. You can combine a session limit with reality checks for an extra reminder during play.

07Reality Checks

A reality check is a pop-up reminder that appears at a regular interval while you play. It shows how long you have been playing so you can decide, deliberately, whether to continue or stop.

You can choose an interval of 15, 30 or 60 minutes in My Account. Reality checks do not interrupt your balance or your bets; they simply give you a moment to step back and look at the clock.

08Cooling-Off Periods

If you want a short pause from gambling, you can take a cooling-off break of 24 hours, 7 days or 30 days. During the break games stay closed and you cannot make deposits.

A cooling-off period cannot be cancelled or shortened once it has started; your account reopens automatically when the period ends. You can still log in to view your balance and transaction history, and you can contact support through the contact form if you need help.

09Self-Exclusion

Self-exclusion is for players who need a longer break from gambling. You can self-exclude for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years from the Responsible Gambling section of My Account.

• Your account is closed to games and deposits for the whole period you choose.
• Self-exclusion cannot be reversed early, even if you ask support to lift it.
• You can still log in to view your account, and you can contact support about any remaining balance.
• When the period ends the restriction expires on its own; it is not lifted before then for any reason.

Self-exclusion works best together with support. Consider contacting GameSense Alberta at 1-833-447-7523, and think about installing blocking software on your devices so other gambling sites are harder to reach as well.

10Account Restrictions

Some restrictions apply to every account to keep play safe and lawful. Real-money games are only available once your identity has been verified (age 18+), and only while a geolocation check on your device confirms you are physically located in Alberta. An IP address alone is never enough; the check runs before game access and again when needed.

We may also restrict an account on our own initiative if we see signs of harm, for example a rapid increase in deposits or very long sessions, or if verification cannot be completed. When that happens we will tell you why and what you can do next. Details are set out in our Terms and Conditions.

If you would like any additional restriction applied to your account, such as closing it permanently, write to us through the contact form.

11Support Organizations

You do not have to deal with gambling worries alone. These services are independent of Stardustcasino and are free and confidential.

Online gambling in Alberta is regulated by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC). If you have a question about our responsible gambling tools, our support team is available through the contact form, and answers to common questions are in our FAQ.