New policy targeting age category most susceptible to gaming-related harm

By Kate Northrop

Ontario Lottery players under the age of 25 now have deposit limits in place for online play, a policy put in place to deter potential gaming-related issues.

The Ontario Lottery (OLG) has implemented a necessary cap on the funds a player under the age of 25 can add to their account for online play.

Lottery officials came to the decision to enact limits on that age category since it is a "player group that research consistently identifies as potentially more vulnerable to gambling-related harm than other age groups," the Lottery said in a press release.

"Requiring a deposit limit is not about removing choice, it's about strengthening that choice by helping players to pause and consider what they are comfortable spending," OLG President and CEO Duncan Hannay explained. "OLG relies on research and best practices to guide how we engage with players and respond to emerging trends. This new measure is a practical, data-driven step to help players under 25 build safer play habits early."

While the Lottery does now require a limit for those players, it's self-guided. Players can decide what their cap is, as well as whether they'd like the cap to be set as a daily, weekly, or monthly limit.

It's an initiative that the Lottery says allows players to stay within a boundary they set for themselves, and that pre-commitment tools like deposit limits are backed by evidence to support safer lottery play by defining what spending boundaries look like.

"Responsible gaming remains a priority for the Ontario government, and striking the right balance between individual choice and protecting vulnerable players is essential," Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho said in a statement. "This initiative reflects the strong collaboration between government, agencies and industry partners to strengthen player protections and ensure Ontario's gaming market remains safe, responsible and trusted."

In addition to players under the age of 25, the Ontario Lottery also offers pre-commitment tools to players of all ages, including deposit limits, spending caps, and time-outs.